Lombard Rally Festival – Duncombe Park

1st APRIL 2023, HELMSLEY, NORTH YORKSHIRE YO62 5EB

Lombard Rally Festivals tap into the growing interest in historic rally cars that are often now unable to be rallied competitively. They are too valuable to be rallied, fall outside current regulations in the UK or their owners do not want to damage them due to difficulties in obtaining replacement parts.

The venues may have been used in the past but could not be used competitively now. The courses are set up in the style of a period rally stage and the drivers demonstrate the cars under controlled conditions. Events are not timed or driven competitively. The drivers are always happy to drive the cars enthusiastically, giving a great spectacle on the day. The events recall a period when the Lombard RAC Rally was the largest attended sporting event in the UK. More people came out to watch over its November weekend than watched every football league match added together during the season.

Look out for cars from the 1960s such as Minis, Ford Anglias and Cortinas, Hillman Imps, from the 1970s such as Ford Escorts, Vauxhall Chevettes, Hillman Avengers, Triumph TR7V8s, from the 1980s such Rover SD1, Talbot Sunbeams, Opel Mantas, before moving to the Group B era of Audi Quattros and MG Metro 6R4, and more.

We are delighted to bring a selection of suitable cars to a mixed surface stage
running through the Estate, with a large, dedicated spectator area in front of the House. Entered through Helmsley, spectator tickets are now on sale. During the day the fantastic selection of historic rally cars taking part will be based next to the spectator area, allowing access to the cars and drivers.

The organisers hope to add displays of other interesting vehicles in the spectator area. Food vendors will also be available all day, with the first cars running at 10.00a.m. The drivers are always approachable and ready to talk about their cars; particularly the older ones who have stories of finishing rallies in cars that they have literally dragged to the finish line, winning or losing – as the saying goes ‘the older we get, the faster we were’!

For more information, please contact tim@lombardrallybath.co.uk