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Trans-America Challenge 2015 – Report and Photos

1954 Jaguar XK120 DHC
1954 Jaguar XK120 DHC

The Trans-America Challenge 2015 was staged June 7-28 from Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the East Coast of Canada, to San Francisco, California, on the West Coast of the United States. Around 40 vintage and classic cars arrived at the finish line of the Endurance Rally Association’s second Trans-America Challenge, having crossed 15 states and traveled 9,500 kilometers (5,900 miles) by its end.

The route enjoyed spectacular views as it used America’s roads less traveled, while still finding time to visit iconic locations such as the Battle of Little Bighorn site and Mount Rushmore. The cars involved range from a 1927 Bentley 4 1/2-litre to a 1977 Triumph Stag, and the crews include the world’s oldest rally navigator, 97-year-old Dorothy Caldwell.

It was ‘California dreaming’ for Peter and Zoe Lovett when they crossed the San Francisco finish line as overall winners of the Endurance Rally Association’s Trans-America Challenge, their second long distance rally win in 2015. Competing in their 1973 Porsche 911T for the 22-day rally across Canada and America, the Lovett’s also won the inaugural Road to Mandalay Rally back in February behind the wheel of another Porsche.

The pair had been hot on the wheels of the longtime leaders Phil Garratt and Kieron Brown in the 1977 Triumph Stag, constantly in the top three since the start. When the Stag had mechanical problems on day 17, the Lovett’s took the top spot and finished with an overall total of 0:09:07.

In second place was Paul and Sandra Merryweather in the 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL on 0:10:05, with Philip and Yvonne Haslam in the 1954 Jaguar XK120 DHC right behind them in third place with 0:10:11.

The 1927 Bentley 4 1/2-Litre Le Mans of Martin and Olivia Hunt won the Vintageant Class, while there were also class wins for Marco Halter and Claudia Engelhardt in the 1963 Ford Falcon Coupe, and David and Jo Roberts in the 1968 Triumph TR250.

Two special ‘Spirit of the Rally’ awards were presented during the prize giving at the iconic Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. The first went to Malaysia’s Hok Kiang Sia and Eric Kuan Rong Sia who had battled through the rally in their 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II, the biggest car on the event.

The second went to Richard Martin and Travis Cole who started the rally in a 1936 Alvis Speed 25 but ended up on a recovery truck on the first day. After a few days in a rental car, the crew purchased an unprepared Datsun 240Z in Duluth and then set about having parts and spares delivered to each hotel they stayed at to create a rally car by the end of the event. Now a fully prepared rally car, the Datsun will be the car of choice on next year’s Rally of the Incas.

ERA Rally Director Fred Gallagher said, “This has been another superb event with a fantastic mix of cars, crews and driving skills. Our Clerk of the Course Kim Bannister planned a brilliant route which offered iconic scenery, competitive tests and challenging terrain – everything you could hope for in an event such as this.”

The Trans-America Challenge was the Endurance Rally Association’s third rally of 2015. The next Trans-America Challenge will take place in 2018 with an exciting new route. For further information, visit EnduroRally.com.

Photographer Gerard Brown documented the 2015 Trans-America Challenge, offering a wonderful selection of images that highlight the stunning vistas of North America. We split up Gerard’s pictures into two galleries. The first gallery starting below features our favorite images, all displayed in the full-width view of Sports Car Digest, while the second gallery can be found on the last page of the article and gives a comprehensive view of all photographs.

Trans-America Challenge 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery

1935 Alvis Speed 25
1935 Alvis Speed 25 looked great but ended up on the trailer on Day One
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
1967 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 OTS
1967 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 OTS
1927 Bentley 4 1/2 Le Mans
1927 Bentley 4 1/2 Le Mans

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1965 Porsche 911 coupe
1965 Porsche 911 coupe
1968 Triumph TR 250
1968 Triumph TR 250
1968 Volvo PV544
1968 Volvo PV544
1965 Aston Martin DB5
1965 Aston Martin DB5

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Trans-America Challenge 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Two

1927 Bentley 4 1/2 Le Mans
1927 Bentley 4 1/2 Le Mans
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
1969 MG C GT
1969 MG C GT
1954 Jaguar XK120 DHC
1954 Jaguar XK120 DHC

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1961 Ford Galaxie Sunliner
1961 Ford Galaxie Sunliner
1967 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 OTS
1967 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 OTS
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015

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Trans-America Challenge 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Three

Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
1954 Jaguar XK120 DHC
1954 Jaguar XK120 DHC
1934 Rolls Royce Phantom II
1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II
1973 MG B GT
1973 MG B GT

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1965 Porsche 911 coupe
1965 Porsche 911 coupe
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
1963 Daimler SP250
1963 Daimler SP250
1958 Jaguar Mk I sedan
1958 Jaguar Mk I sedan

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Trans-America Challenge 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Four

Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
1935 Alvis Speed 25 in transit
1935 Alvis Speed 25 in transit
1927 Bentley 4 1/2 Le Mans
1927 Bentley 4 1/2 Le Mans
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015

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1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL
1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL
1935 Alvis Speed 25
1935 Alvis Speed 25
1977 Triumph Stag
1977 Triumph Stag
1968 Porsche 912 coupe
1968 Porsche 912 coupe

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Trans-America Challenge 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Five

1965 Porsche 911 coupe
1965 Porsche 911 coupe
1969 MG C GT
1969 MG C GT
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SL
1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SL

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1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 "Fintail"
1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 “Fintail”
1963 Daimler SP250
1963 Daimler SP250
1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SL
1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SL
1961 Ford Galaxie Sunliner
1961 Ford Galaxie Sunliner

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Trans-America Challenge 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Six

Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS
1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS

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1935 Bentley 3 1/2
1935 Bentley 3 1/2
1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SL
1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SL
1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL
1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL
1961 Jaguar Mk II sedan
1961 Jaguar Mk II sedan

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Trans-America Challenge 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Seven

1935 Alvis Speed 25
1935 Alvis Speed 25
1961 Jaguar Mk II sedan
1961 Jaguar Mk II sedan
1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL
1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL
1934 Rolls Royce Phantom II
1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II

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1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL
1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL
Splash
Splash
1969 MG C GT
1969 MG C GT
1968 Porsche 912 coupe
1968 Porsche 912 coupe

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Trans-America Challenge 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Eight

1935 Bentley 3 1/2
1935 Bentley 3 1/2
1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS
1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS
1965 Shelby Mustang GT350
1965 Shelby Mustang GT350
1963 Volvo PV544
1963 Volvo PV544

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1977 Triumph Stag
1977 Triumph Stag
1961 Ford Galaxie Sunliner
1961 Ford Galaxie Sunliner
1963 Ford Falcon coupe
1963 Ford Falcon coupe
1967 Volkswagen Beetle
1967 Volkswagen Beetle

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Trans-America Challenge 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Nine

Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015

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Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL
1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
1927 Bentley 4 1/2 Le Mans
1927 Bentley 4 1/2 Le Mans passing Mount Rushmore

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Trans-America Challenge 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Ten

1965 Porsche 911 coupe
1965 Porsche 911 coupe
1968 Volvo PV544
1968 Volvo PV544
1954 Jaguar XK120 DHC leads the 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS
1954 Jaguar XK120 DHC leads the 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS
1973 Chevrolet Corvette coupe
1973 Chevrolet Corvette coupe

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1967 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 OTS
1967 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 OTS
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Datsun 240Z served as back-up to the Alvis
1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL
1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL
1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL
1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Trans-America Challenge 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Eleven

1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 "Fintail"
1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 “Fintail”
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL
1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL
1958 Jaguar Mk I sedan
1958 Jaguar Mk I sedan

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1935 Alvis Speed 25
1935 Alvis Speed 25
1927 Bentley 4 1/2 Le Mans
1927 Bentley 4 1/2 Le Mans
1935 Bentley 3 1/2
1935 Bentley 3 1/2
1934 Rolls Royce Phantom II
1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Trans-America Challenge 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Twelve

1973 Porsche 911T coupe
Winning 1973 Porsche 911T coupe of Peter and Zoe Lovett
1968 Volvo PV544
1968 Volvo PV544
1973 MG B GT
1973 MG B GT
1963 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III
1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III

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1977 Triumph Stag
1977 Triumph Stag
1961 Jaguar Mk II sedan
1961 Jaguar Mk II sedan
1963 Ford Falcon coupe
1963 Ford Falcon coupe
1969 MG C GT
1969 MG C GT

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Trans-America Challenge 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Thirteen

1927 Bentley 4 1/2 Le Mans
1927 Bentley 4 1/2 Le Mans
1935 Alvis Speed 25
1935 Alvis Speed 25
1934 Rolls Royce Phantom II
1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II
1954 Jaguar XK120 DHC
1954 Jaguar XK120 DHC

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1973 Porsche 911T coupe
1973 Porsche 911T coupe
1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SL
1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SL
1958 Jaguar Mk I sedan
1958 Jaguar Mk I sedan
1963 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III
1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Trans-America Challenge 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Fourteen

1967 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 OTS
1967 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 OTS
1927 Bentley 4 1/2 Le Mans
1927 Bentley 4 1/2 Le Mans
1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL
1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL
1968 Triumph TR250
1968 Triumph TR250

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1961 Ford Galaxie Sunliner
1961 Ford Galaxie Sunliner
1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL
1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL
Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL
1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Trans-America Challenge 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Fifteen

Trans-America Challenge 2015
Trans-America Challenge 2015
1935 Alvis Speed 25
1935 Alvis Speed 25
1976 Mercedes-Benz 280SL
1976 Mercedes-Benz 280SL
1965 Porsche 911 coupe
1965 Porsche 911 coupe

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1927 Bentley 4 1/2 Le Mans
1927 Bentley 4 1/2 Le Mans
1954 Jaguar XK120 DHC
1954 Jaguar XK120 DHC
1935 Alvis Speed 25
1935 Alvis Speed 25
Trans-America Challenge 2015 Winners
Trans-America Challenge 2015 Winners

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Trans-America Challenge 2015 – Main Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture and description)

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

[Source: Endurance Rally Association; photos: Gerard Brown/ERA]