Famous Mk2 back in action at Chatsworth

The Ford Escort Mk2 used by Timo Mäkinen and Henry Liddon to win the 1975 RAC Rally was a star attraction at the Chatsworth Rally Show as it returned to action.

Despite dreadful weather, the event at the Derbyshire stately home drew many big names including WRC contender Mikko Hirvonen and former champion Stig Blomqvist. The honour of setting fastest time during the event fell to Steve Perez in his Ford Focus WRC.

Thanks to the commitment of Escort aficionado Dave Watkins, ‘LAR 801P’ is back in immaculate condition. The Yorkshireman is determined to use the famous car in historic rallying, including the Roger Albert Clark Rally in November.

One of the first works RS1800s built, it was used in 1976 by Ari Vatanen to win the British Open Rally Championship. It was later driven by Roger Clark as a recce car for the East African Safari Rally, but had seen little action since the early 1980s.