Historic Rally Car Register to celebrate 50 years of the Hillman Imp
The Historic Rally Car Register is to celebrate 50 years of the Hillman Imp when it hosts its Open Day at the Heritage Motor Centre on Saturday 12 January 2013. The Open Day is the Show Opener for enthusiasts of historic rallying, one of the fastest growing motorsports in the UK. The leading exhibit will be a works prepared Imp, the event is also being used to launch this year's British Historic Rally Championship and the Clubman Series.
The Hillman Imp was a revolutionary light car built by the Rootes Group as a car to rival BMC's Mini. Like the Minis, it was used extensively in rallying. Its greatest triumph was the victory in 1965 by Ireland's Rosemary Smith to win Holland’s International Tulip Rally - also an historic first international victory for a woman. Imps were extensively used in British club motorsport with its modified all aluminium engine, originally made by Coventry Climax as a light weight fire pump and later heavily modified to become an early 60s Formula 1 engine. Imps, with the rear engine manufactured in Rootes new Scottish factories, could easily be tuned by club enthusiasts to be a potent rally and race winner. In 1968 Coventry's Colin Malkin, navigated by John Brown, became Motoring News Rally champion against very stiff opposition and the Imp won the British Touring Car Championship.
Visitors will be able to see a number of cars on display plus have the opportunity of meeting organisers, club shop & specialist suppliers and organising clubs. Stands in the main HRCR Hall will highlight many of today's historic rallies. There will be dedicated parking for rally cars just outside the Exhibition Halls.
John Bishop, Car Clubs & Groups Co-ordinator at the Heritage Motor Centre stated “We’re thrilled to be yet again hosting the HRCR Open Day and celebrating 50 years of the Hillman Imp in 2013. If you are interested in classic rallying then this nostalgic event is the place to be!”
Entry to the HRCR Open Day is free of charge and attendees can visit the Museum on the day for the discounted rate of £6 per person. The Open Day is open from 09:30 - 16:30 with the Museum open from 10:00 - 17:00.
To find out more information, visit heritage-motor-centre.co.uk or the HRCR website at hrcr.co.uk.
