The 90th Anniversary of the RAC Rally was celebrated in great style by the staging of a road rally for historic cars - the RAC Rally of the Tests.
The event was run as a regularity rally where drivers have to maintain a precise average speed over a defined route – mostly on public roads. An event can be won or lost on time penalties.
The Rally of the Tests was celebrating its 20th Anniversary and the organisers, HERO ERA, stage historic rallies all over the world.
The event got underway in Blackpool on Thursday when 70 cars crossed the starting line – 750 miles and 30 tests ahead of them. To be eligible for Championship points, drivers had to compete in a car manufactured before January 1, 1968. Car’s that were manufactured up to 1991 could also take part – however, were not eligible for Championship points.
The event attracted crews – each car comprising a driver and co-driver – from all over Europe, competing in a very varied selection of cars.
The event continued its way across the country, arriving in Devon on Sunday morning following an overnight stop in Newport. After undertaking tests at Nigel Mansell’s Raceway, and the hillclimb venue at Wiscombe Park, the cars crossed the finishing line at Torquay’s Imperial Hotel late on Sunday afternoon.
The visit to Wiscombe Park on Sunday afternoon rekindled memories of the 1976 RAC Rally, the British round of the World Championship. World famous rally stars like Timo Mäkinen, Markku Alén, Stig Blomqvist, Hannu Mikkola and Roger Clark blasted down the hill on that occasion.
The results had a very Swedish look – perhaps not surprising as the Scandinavian countries have produced many great rally champions over the years. It was Dan Willan and Niall Frost in a Volvo PV544 who crossed the finish line first, followed home by Paul Dyas and Martyn Taylor in a Volvo Amazon. Flying the flag for British cars, and very fitting in the year in which we sadly lost rally legend Paddy Hopkirk, in third place driving a Mini Cooper S was Paul Crosby and Ali Procter.
This year’s event mirrored the route of the very first RAC Rally held in 1932, which also finished in Torquay, with a concours d'elegance. That event was won by Col. Loughborough in a Lanchester.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here