PHOTOS: Morecambe Car Club rally continues proud Illuminations tradition

Friday, 20 June 2025 14:33

Nick Payne, MD of Pye Motors (right), with co-driver David Cartmel

An annual car rally has continued a proud tradition which began during the era of the famous Morecambe Illuminations.

The Morecambe Car Club 'Illuminations Pye 100 Tour' follows in the wheels of the annual motor rally which used to start on Morecambe Promenade.

Each year the non-competitive tour adopts a particular occasion to commemorate or celebrate.

In 2025, the event celebrated the centenary of sponsor and long-time supporters of Morecambe Car Club, the family business of Pye Motors.

Forty crews from around Lancashire, South Cumbria and West Yorkshire assembled at the Redwell Inn, Carnforth a damp Saturday morning, June 14, for breakfast and pre-event briefing.

They then set off on a 150 mile, non-competitive tour of the South Lakes and the Furness peninsular.

Starting at one-minute intervals the eclectic mix of vehicles spanning seven decades, and over 20 plus different manufactures travelled a route which as far as practical avoided main arterial roads.

They took to the lanes to the north of Kirkby Londsdale before passing the Pye Motors Kendal Dealership on Shap Road and calling at the Kendal Rugby Club for morning coffee. They then turned west through southern Lakeland via Cartmel to the lunch halt in the glorious setting of Holker Hall.

The afternoon run took them via the windfarms on Osmotherly Moor, Pye Motors' new site on Abbey Road, along the beautiful coastal road through Roosebeck to turn inland to the 18th century Gleaston Watermill and Dusty Miller’s tea rooms for refreshment!

A final hurrah was across Birkrigg Common and through the byways north of the A590 before turning south on the run back to the Redwell.

Along the way the crews were required to answer various cryptic questions relating to things they passed and record the letters from code boards put out in the roadside grass verges.

Whilst although dull through the morning with only a few spots of rain, the previous evening's downpour made driving conditions somewhat interesting!

Several of the moorland sections had lengthy stretches of standing water some probably over a foot deep and 30 yards long.

Plumes of spray shot skyward as the cars ploughed through.

However, a watery sun appeared during the afternoon and all but one of the starters made the finish for yet more food and the presentation of prizes for the snappiest dresser and smartest car/crew!

Thanks to Fred Bent, clerk of the course, and Tony North for the photos.

David Marsden and Heide Garstang