Monte- Coventry rally

Paddy Hopkirk’s 1964 Monte-Carlo Rally winning Mini Cooper S is set to swap the glamorous streets of Monaco for Coventry’s ring road.

It will star at this year’s Coventry Motofest on 4-5 June following a major reconditioning of the engine by its custodians at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

In 1964 the Mini Cooper S completed its faultless run across the country roads, mountain passes, tight corners and steep gradients of the Monte-Carlo Rally cementing it a place in the hearts of British fans and in the annals of motor sport legend. Paddy Hopkirk and co-driver Henry Liddon on their way to winning the 1964 Monte-Carlo Rally. This year the car will lap Coventry.

James Noble, Coventry Motofest Festival director, says: ‘We are very excited to have one of the most iconic cars in motor sport run here on our sprint circuit. It’s an amazing coup.’

Organisers are asking classic vehicle enthusiasts, car and motorcycle clubs across the UK to help make Coventry Motofest 2016 the biggest ever by registering more than 1500 vehicles.

Registration is now open, and display space will be made available each day for 500 motorcycles and 300 cars.

Classic car clubs including the Porsche Club GB, Club Peugeot UK, The Dolomite Club and the Jaguar XJS club have already signed up for the event.

Classic car parking will be preregistration and online booking only, with free entry for all pre-1994 classic cars.

The Road to Coventry Classic Run – a touring assembly which converges on the city from starting points in the north and south of England, has been organised by Peter Nedin.

He says: ‘I am delighted to be planning the Road to Coventry run. This year there will be two start locations with the aim of increasing the number next year. I know that everyone who enters will have a great day.’

www.coventrymotofest.com