The inspiration of Tim Nash – the Lombard Rally Bath 2018 was born. Having seen so many demonstration rally events in Europe, Tim believed that a few cars and their drivers might be interested in a re-run of the iconic Lombard RAC Rally of 1976 which started in Great Pulteney Street in the centre of Bath.

Incredibly, over 120 historic and classic cars –  one of the largest collections of Historic Rally Cars ever assembled in the UK in recent history – were ready to follow part of the route last used in the 1976 Lombard RAC Rally and included Longleat, Cricket St Thomas, Wiscombe Park, Porlock Weir and Cheddar Gorge.

The surprise was the huge number of spectators turning up to watch. Even the early 8.00am start in Great Pulteney Street was crammed. The council had agreed to shut the street for the 2 hours needed to get the cars away   Longleat was relatively quiet, but Wiscombe Park was a huge surprise with the whole course lined with rally aficionados, all cheering the cars on. Also crowds out at Porlock Toll Road and Cheddar Gorge – wonderful to see. It was supposed to be a gentle tour – a demonstration of the iconic cars, but, rally drivers,  being rally drivers, powered their cars up the roads, Puff too.