Lombard Rally Festival to bring iconic rally cars to Escot Park
Motor sport fans across Devon and Cornwall are set to enjoy something completely new this autumn as the Lombard Rally Festival arrives at Escot Park, near Exeter, on 26 and 27 September.
The new event will bring a major historic rally car spectacle to the West Country, giving enthusiasts from across Devon and Cornwall the chance to see some of the world's most iconic rally machinery in action without having to travel to events elsewhere in the country.
The series of historic rally car demonstration events run by the Lombard Rally organisation expands in 2026, with Escot Park becoming one of the newest venues on the calendar. The series taps into the growing interest in historic rally cars and provides a showcase for vehicles that are often now unable to compete competitively. Many are simply too valuable to be rallied, fall outside current UK regulations or their owners prefer not to risk damaging them because replacement parts are increasingly difficult to source.
The Lombard Rally Festival series recalls a period when the Lombard RAC Rally was the largest attended sporting event in the UK. More people came out to watch over its November weekend than attended every football league match combined during the same period.
Running since 2018, the events deliver much more than just a weekend of historic car action. Rally champions regularly attend, with previous guests including Welsh star Dai Llewellin, Swedish legends Stig Blomqvist and Bror Danielsson, and German ace Harald Demuth, all factory Audi drivers during the legendary Quattro era of the 1980s.
From Finland, the festival has welcomed Harri Rovanpera and Harri Toivonen, while Scottish rally legend Jimmy McRae enjoyed an emotional reunion with the Opel Ascona 400 he competed in during the early 1980s. Taking part in period cars, the drivers put on a spectacular display and are always happy to meet spectators and share stories from their careers.
For rally fans in Devon and Cornwall, the event represents a rare opportunity to get close to both the cars and the personalities that helped define one of motor sport's golden eras.
The rally cars will begin running on Saturday morning, followed by the event's traditional evening social where featured drivers will share stories and memories from their time in the sport.
On Sunday, the rally cars will be joined by an impressive display of classic and sports cars, while the demonstration runs continue throughout the day. With a food court and additional attractions also planned, organisers are promising a family-friendly weekend for visitors from across the South West.
Where else in Devon can you expect to see everything from ex-works Minis and Hillman Imps from the 1960s, to Ford Escorts, Vauxhall Chevettes, Hillman Avengers and Triumph TR7 V8s from the 1970s?
The 1980s are represented by Talbot Sunbeams, Opel Mantas and Ford Sierras before the event moves into the legendary Group B era with Audi Quattros, Ford RS200s and MG Metro 6R4s, alongside early World Rally Championship machinery.
The drivers are always approachable and keen to talk about their cars, particularly the older competitors who have stories of dragging battered rally cars to the finish line, whether they won or lost. As the saying goes: "the older we get, the faster we were."
Adding to the atmosphere across both days will be commentary from the inimitable Barry Lee — "Mr 361" — remembered by many for his exploits on short oval tracks across the UK and never short of a story or a quick-witted quip.
With its combination of legendary machinery, famous names and family entertainment, the Lombard Rally Festival at Escot Park promises to become one of the South West's standout new motor sport events for 2026.
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