Historic Rally Car Register Open Day at Gaydon 2024 - Report - International Car Events by Car Scene Int.

In previous years I have been pleased to publicise the Historic Rally Car Register Open Day held at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, in the events section of the CSI website but this was the first time that I had attended. I am so pleased I did, it was a joy for any “petrolhead”. I had intended to get there before the 10.00 am opening time but in the event I didn’t arrive until twenty minutes past ten. I have to tell you that I struggled to find a parking space; the venue was already “heaving” and was not what I had expected.

My rallying days (in a Mini Cooper 998cc) are well behind me. My greatest claim to fame in this arena is that I had a lot to do with Des O’Dell, the very successful Rootes/Chrysler/Talbot/Peugeot Competitions Department manager. Ironically, it was not rallying that caused our paths to cross but circuit racing, I was a member of the Mopar team that campaigned the championship winning Mopar Avenger driven by Bernard Unett. Later in my Chrysler/Peugeot career I was responsible for publicising the Peugeot 205 T16s success in the World Rally Championship. In that capacity I organised a reception party in Nottingham, prior to the start of the 1985 RAC Rally. The purpose was for Peugeot dealers to meet Jean Todt. Todt, who had been a very successful rally navigator, was then Peugeot’s director of Motor Sport and guided the team to two World Rally Championships in 1985 and 1986.

Jean Todt

Des O’Dell

If I am honest, I have recorded my tenuous links with rallying because I felt humbled to be in the company with such obviously committed enthusiasts. And what a friendly bunch they were, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I hope that the following photos do justice to the occasion.

ALFA ROMERO