The Fall And Rise Of The Roger Albert Clark

Paul Lawrence looks at the decline, and rejuvenation, of the great historic rally

- Paul Lawrence

After a two-year sabbatical, the Roger Albert Clark Rally will return this November.

Based on an idea from the late Paul Adams to run ‘a proper rally’, a team headed by Colin Heppenstall launched the first Roger Albert Clark Rally in 2004. The plan was to recreate the flavour of the Lombard RAC Rallies of the 1970s with an event that delivered a true old-style rallying challenge to competitors, service crews and spectators.

Over 11 editions, the event won the hearts of regular competitors, marshals and spectators who relished a return to a time when the RAC Rally covered most of the country. Star drivers with European crews and a unique atmosphere made the event a big hit with those who followed the new R.A.C.

However, the response to the revised format for the 2014 rally was muted. A base in Sunderland – as opposed to ones in Sheffield, Leeds or Pickering – and a concentration of competitive mileage in the Kielder complex was aimed at making the rally more compact and more affordable, in line with competitor feedback. But critics dubbed it a neutered, single-venue rally, and it did not bring in the expected entries.