What:

The Downeast Rally is currently the largest Land Rover Rally in North America. Originally a static show run in conjunction with an air show at the Owls Head Transportation Museum, the event proved so popular that the museum now runs several similar events where an airshow is run in conjunction with an automobile show on museum grounds.

Typically the schedule of events now resembles the following:

Friday:

Jeff Aronson will be your guide for Vinalhaven Island tour.

Saturday:

Off-road day: - Test your driving skills on a closed loop off road course. Challenging but non damaging trails will be set up for you to test your Rover in all kinds of Off Road situations from a water crossing to a Rover see-saw. The course has been enlarged since last year, with trails ranging from easy going to challenging. Knowledgable people will be on hand for driving tips and winching demonstrations. A $5. dollar per head entry fee covers the huge lunchtime BBQ. You can pay at the gate as you arrive. You should arrive at the gate around 9.30, drivers meeting will be around 10.30. If you will be attending the off-road day. Dinner will be a buffet at the Whale's Tooth Pub in Lincolnville Beach.

Sunday:

Owl's Head Transportation Museum. Well over 100 Rovers, clubs, companies, LRNA, Rovers North, Airshow etc. Free admission to all arriving in a Land Rover, Range Rover, Discovery, or Rover car. If you get bored talking with Land Rover enthusiasts, you can wander over to the Transportation Museum and check out their collection of aircraft or watch the airshow (Last year, modern aircraft included an A-10 and a Harrier, this year A-10s and a F-117 stealth fighter bomber fly-by).

Monday:

Undecided at this time.

When:

The Downeast Rally has been traditionally held on the July 4th weekend, or the weekend nearest to the American Independence Day holiday

Where:

The Downeast Rally has been held in midcoast Maine (Camden, Rockland area) for the last eight years. Originally located at just the Owl's Head Transportation Museum, over the years expanded into more varied activities in that general area of Maine.

Growth:

The following table is presented not only to show the growth of the Downeast Rally, but also to reflect upon how the Land Rover scene in North America is growing at the same time. The numbers reflected in this table are typical for the growth of clubs, club events, etc.

1989

14 Land Rovers, 1 jeep

1990

26 Land Rovers

1991

28 Land Rovers

1992

1993

1994

79 Land Rovers

1995

54 Land Rovers on the Saturday Off-road day, approx. 126 at Owl's Head

1996

135 Land Rovers on the Saturday Off-road day, 172 at Owl's Head

The largest change in the Downeast Rally occurred in 1995 when an off-road day was added to the agenda in response to many requests for the inclusion of such an offering. East Coast Rover undertook to obtain permission from a land-owner, construct a short course, and feed people. This has proved to be quite popular and seems to have propelled growth of the Rally in two directions. Where there were only people interested in a static show at one point, now individuals more interested in the off-road challenges are coming to the Rally.

Who/Credits:

The Downeast Rally at Owl's Head was started in 1989 by Trevor Hunt and Myles Murphy. Trevor bowed out in 1991. Since then Myles continued to promote, and acts as steward and overall organiser/contact point for the Land Rover rally at the Owls Head Transportation Museum.

Off road day (1995 - )... East Coast Rover and the staff made the trails, did the grounds, tents, tiolets, etc., and put up all the support as far as cash and pre-event effort. Arthur Adolphsen donates the land use. The Smith and Adolphsen families do the food.

Owls Head Transportation Museum is a non-profit organisation accreditted by the American Association of Museums. Founded in 1974, the museum's purpose is to collect, preserve, demonstrate and exhibit pioneer ground and air vehicles and related technology significant to the evolution of transportation and/or the State of Maine. The Museum's core collection includes aircraft, automobiles, engines, motorcycles, bicycles and carriages dating from the 1890's through the 1930's. Contemporary vehicles are exhibited for comparison.

Others: 1991 Rally was also supported by the Northeast Land Rover Owners Association

Information:Contact Myles Murphy, RR #2, Box 23, Lincoln Beach, Maine, United States, 04849 or phone (207) 789-5303