Historic Lombard event

[Teddie2003]

This was posted on UHR from a couple of weekends ago at Wiscombe.

No Imp's in the pictures but a fair few other Rootes and Talbot cars were there and show the types of cars that used to be rallied when the WRC rally round wasn't always based in Wales.I followed a few of these rallies in the 80's, especially when the last event for the group B cars took place.

“Lombard Rally Bath 2018

This event was held on the 19th and 20th October and celebrated the classic Lombard RAC Rally from the 70’s and 80’s – Britain’s round of the World Rally Championship.

After traditionally being based in Yorkshire for a number of years, organisers wanted to base it in different locations around the UK. For 1976, Bath was chosen as the rally HQ, and it returned to Bath on three other occasions after that.

This event took the form of a “tour” – there were no competitive stages – but a glorious opportunity for rally fans to see some iconic cars spanning a number of years, and a few of the great drivers including Stig Blomqvist – Group B Audi Quattro; David Llewellin – Group A Audi 200 Quattro; Jimmy MacRae – Manta 400; Louise Aitken-Walker – Lotus Sunbeam.

In total, 120 cars entered – not surprisingly, there were a number of Ford Escort’s in various guises, and Mini’s. There were also some more unusual cars on display including 2 glorious Lancia Stratos, TR7 V8’s, 2 Ferrari 250 SWB replica’s, ex-works Group N Lancia Delta Integrale, Vauxhall Chevette HSR.

The route took the cars across the West Country and included some classic stages used in the 70’s including Longleat, Wiscombe Park, Porlock, and Cheddar Gorge.”

These are the pics from Wiscombe https://www.flickr.com/photos/riviera_g ... 2918558505

Steve

[hazzah]

Nice photos. Seeing the SWB Quattros brings back my main memories.

Mike Parkes led the development of the Stratos, he was killed in one.

[Teddie2003]

Nice photos. Seeing the SWB Quattros brings back my main memories.

Mike Parkes led the development of the Stratos, he was killed in one.

Yes some good photo's really like the 5 Turbo, Fiat 131 and Alpine Renault. Knew it was a road accident, didn't realise it was in a Stratos.

[Dogsbody]

Some good pictures, I did contemplate popping into Bath for the cars leaving and returning. But had other things on that day.

[hazzah]

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/arch ... -1931-1977

[Rod]

A tremendous event. I was manning the Passage Control at Colyford Filling Station and had a great time. Privileged to meet Bob Chapman, Dai Llewelyn who assured me he was Hannu Mikkola because that's what it said on the car.... err had to tell him he was Walter Rohrl because that's what it actually said on the car.... Rosemary Smith seemed to be concentrating so hard I didn't dare bother her!