Former works navigator Willy Cave defied his age to help win this year’s 2011 Liège-Brescia-Liège Rally.
The 84-year-old (above) – who honed his navigating skills following decades of professional navigating for the likes of Paddy Hopkirk and Jack Sears, as well as his years with with Triumph, Rover and BMC - guided Andrew Murfin’s MG TD (below) to a clear win in the Authentic Category of the 2011 Liège-Brescia-Liège Rally.
The 15 - 24 July event was officially intended for smaller capacity cars, with engines of less than 1500cc., although larger-engined fare took part. With a combined car/crew age of 212, the pair were also worthy winners of the Veteran’s Award.
Consistency, missing no controls over the 10 day, 2000-mile event over the Dolomites to Slovenia and Brescia saw the MG’s win decided by performance on the kart circuit tests, where they narrowly beat John Blanckley/Tony Davies in a Jowett Javelin.
Clean sheets were also recorded by Andrew Isherwood and Hilary Farbowski, who won the Spirit Category in a very rapid Mini 1300 (above), and Geert Verdonckt/Christa Devriendt, second in their Mini 1000. (below).
Chris Evans and Mark Seymour were robbed of a top finish by gearbox failure in the delightful Moretti Sportiva, (lead photo above) but won the Spirit of the Rally Award after getting the gearbox rebuilt in 24 hours at Brescia and rejoining the event.
Professional RAC Rescue support and top class hotels, combined with a stunning route taking in the Gavia and Stelvio twice as well as many other historic passes, visits to museums and castles, made for an epic event.
The 2012 running of the event is set to be exclusive for Jaguar XKs and E-types, although organiser Malcolm McKay has indicated he may succumb to pressure to include cars that would have been period competitors to the Jaguar.
Call him on 07711 90181 or see: www.classicrallypress.co.uk to find out more.
