Lotus Elan takes Malts Rally top spot

| 9 May 2012

A 1973 Lotus Elan Sprint has stormed to victory on the gruelling Scottish Malts Rally.

The Lotus team of Graham Walker and Sean Toohey pipped husband and wife Mark and Sue Godfrey (driving a 1965 MGB) and father and son Michael and Simon baker (in a Porsche 911 SC), in second and third place respectively.

“It was a fantastic competition, combining challenging tests with breathtaking landscape,” said Walker after receiving his prize from Historic Endurance Rally Organisation president Lord Steel of Aikwood.

The teams had been flagged off from Turnberry by former Jaguar development driver Norman Dewis, before spending one night in Kinloch Rannoch, two nights in Inverness, then heading down the shores of loch Ness to Fort William on their way to Inveraray, visiting whisky distilleries and sites such as Balmoral Castle as they went.

Among the other cars taking part was a 1961 Jaguar E-type (the first right-hand drive fixed-head coupe to be supplied), a 1930s Riley Brooklands 9HP and two Jaguar SS100s.

Joint managing director of HERO Tomas de Vargas Machuca said: “The first 2012 Malts trial was a great success; compiling superb roads, great tests, excellent hotels, wonderful food and great camaraderie, it left everyone wanting more and set the ground for our second event of the year, the Summer Trial, which will take place from 12-14 July 2012.”

If you want to win a free place on the Summer Trial – including a classic car to do the event in – enter our great free competition here.