RAC Rally Celebration draws the masses to Combe

The RAC Rally. Everyone still calls it that, don’t they? Rallyday elected that 30 and 40 years on since the significant 1976 and 1986 events, it was time to celebrate. And when Rallyday celebrates, it does it the right way.

Among the headliners was Jimmy Mcrae. He made his RAC debut in 1976, finishing second in class in a Vauxhall Magnum, a car in which he still competes today. His current co-driver, Pauline Gullick, was joining him at the show, whipping the stars into shape making sure the timetable for the event runs smoothly. She was there with Jill Robinson, her driver when she claimed the honours as top lady crew on the 1976 RAC in a Ford Escort. Mcrae also famously competed in 1986 with the Rothmans Racing MG Metro 6R4, but myriad punctures meant he was eighth. Harri Toivonen, a 6R4 team-mate on the day, joined Mcrae for another trip to Rallyday.

The Scot is always good for a story and was on good form during the day.

Louise Aitken-walker was another driver out to celebrate. She had an accident on her RAC debut in 1986 but recovered to finish 15th in a Nissan 240RS. It didn’t affect her career much, she went on to become British Ladies champion.

The car she drove in 1986 was on display around the circuit, and another 240 RS exponent – Terry Kaby – was another driver in attendance along with Andy Dawson and Dan O’sullivan.