The HMRG stand this year principally commemorates 50 years in competition of the Triumph Dolomite Sprint.
Historic Marathon Rally Group (HMRG)
Hall 4, Stand 580
The HMRG stand this year principally commemorates 50 years in competition of the Triumph Dolomite Sprint.
This was the first production car with four valves per cylinder, built to compete with cars such as the BMW 2002tii, and that engine was exceptionally tuneable and durable. Leyland Special Tuning at Abingdon developed parts, made available through the dealer network, that helped to transform the car’s performance and handling.
Dolomite Sprints were used in rallying by notable competitors including Brian Culcheth, Terry Kaby, Pat Ryan, and Tony Pond, while racing Sprints were driven by the likes of Gerry Marshall, Tony Dron, Andy Rouse, and Roger Bell. Notable builders were Gerry Marshall / Triplex and Broadspeed.
All the Works Dolomite Sprint Rally Cars are thought to survive, but as the Racing Dolomite Sprints were largely built by private companies, there isn’t a clear picture of the survivors.
The HMRG stand features four significant cars:
This Dolomite Sprint is the most famous of the Works Triumph Dolomites: RDU 983M was built to Group One specification by the Leyland Special Tuning Department at Abingdon in 1974. 2nd overall in the 1975 Tour of Britain and 1st in Group One in that year’s Lombard RAC Rally with Brian Culcheth and Ray Hutton at the helm, and subsequently driven to further success by Tony Pond with David Richards in 1976.
The second Dolomite Sprint is confirmed by Andy Rouse as being OVC 304M, prepared by Broadspeed and raced by him and Tony Dron in 1974 at the 24 Hours of Spa. On the 1974 Tour of Britain Tony Dron finished a mere 55 seconds behind Roger Clark’s winning works Escort RS2000. Also used by Tony Dron in the Tourist Trophy that year.
Interestingly it seems the last time these two Dolomite Sprints were together was when they both competed in the 1974 Tour of Britain.
Ford Cortina GT, DFO 222G; Car 1 from the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon. Driven by double British Rally Champion Bill Bengry, it completed the challenging event of over 9,000 miles in 23rd place. Characterised by the exhaust over the roof for greater ground clearance on very rough roads and also by the unique front kangaroo bar, which was plumbed into the radiator coolant, giving extra water for the hot Australian conditions.
Ford Capri Mk1, 2.8 V6, GVX 40H. This took part in the 1970 Daily Mirror London to Mexico and the 1974 UDT London-Sahara-Munich World Cup Rally. Having been purpose built by a 22-man team at Ford’s Dunton R&D facility, this is one of only two surviving cars in the world to have competed in both World Cup Rallies in the 1970s.
Visit the HMRG stand and see the cars: Hall 4 Stand 580
Our club code unlocks a £4 discount off single-day adult ticket prices or £2 of family, child and multi-day tickets. The club discount will be applied to advance ticket prices before midnight on Thursday 7th November and Show Open ticket prices thereafter. Full ticket information at: www.necclassicmotorshow.com/ticket-information. Club discount code is: CCCNOV703.
HMRG is an unfunded and voluntary organisation run by a committee of enthusiasts who aim to reunite historic cars and their crews from the era of Marathon Rallies and Classic Car Endurance events. The most recent HMRG event was the 50th anniversary of the London – Sahara – Munich World Cup Rally, held at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon in April 2024.
2026 Historic Marathon Rally Show
The next major HMRG event will be held on Sunday 19th April 2026 at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon. This will be a celebration of the cars and people involved in the significant Marathon Rallies and Classic Car Endurance events of the last 60 years.
All classic rally cars will be welcome.
Media enquiries:
Andrew Bradbury, Chairman :- [email protected] 07887 735 833