DPMR 2024 - Event History

This event began life as the Three Counties Rally, a 12 Car Navigational Rally dreamed up by Ellis Stokes. Nigel Abdullah and Dale Barker then took it on in 2015 after taking part in a few Bedford Car Club 12 Car Night Mini-Rallies. They adapted the format to suit CT members by running during the day and by starting and finishing with food and a social aspect.

After his death in November 2019 it was decided to rename the event as the Derek Pollock Memorial Rally in honour of probably the single most significant person in the history of the Club.

During his lifetime Derek, having joined the Club in 1961, fulfilled pretty much every role possible at some point in time, most notably those of Club Secretary, Newsletter/Magazine Editor and latterly and until his passing, Club President.

All the more surprisingly then is the fact that the thing for which he is probably best known is the Round Britain Reliability Run. This event, in case you have been on Mars for the last 56+ years, was originated by Derek and long-time friend Les Mills while on a Club trip to the Le Mans 24 hour race in 1966. They wondered if it might be possible to do a tour of Britain in 24 hours, pretty quickly realised that was only half enough time and so the RBRR was born.

The event quickly became established as a regular feature of the Club calendar, eventually settling into its now familiar bi-annual slot. In 1990 Derek decided to add a charity fund raising aspect to the event and this quickly began raising significant amounts for various charities, so much so that in 2010 Derek was awarded the MBE for services to charity fund raising.

Since that time the event has raised a staggering total of considerably in excess of £750,000 with the last Run in 2021 realising over £100,000!