The first round of the series, the Powderham Historic Rally of Devon on the weekend of 11/12 March 2000, was organised by the Torbay Motor Club and won by the Mini of HRCR Chairman Paul Loveridge with navigator Anthony Preston.
The event took place over the Saturday and Sunday with a night section on Saturday night. Starting and finishing in the picturesque setting of Powderham Castle, the route took competitors through the beautiful Devon lanes, which can be challenging in themselves, by way of several regularity sections. One regularity section took the route across Dartmoor.
The tests varied in both length and type, ensuring that no particular type of car gained an advantage. At least four car park type tests were included to keep the handbrake tweekers happy, along with more lengthy tests to amuse the frustrated stage ralliers.
A new venue for tests was set within Bicton Arena that provided not only the tests, but also the lunch venue. The varied set of special tests provided not only a challenge, but a great deal of enjoyment, and no reversing!
The night section of approximately 40 miles in length was pre-plot. Novice crews had an easier set of instructions, which ensured that no one failed to finish through navigational difficulties.
The emphasis of the event was not only to provide a competitive weekend's sport, but a very enjoyable few days away in beautiful sunny Devon.