Rally duo win prestigious title

A West Midlands rally duo has won the prestigious Mini 50 Cup run by the Historic Rally Car Register.

Paul Kendrick, from Halesowen, and Anton Bird, of Sutton Coldfield – both members of Aldridge-based Owen Motoring Club – secured the title at the Cambrian Rally in North Wales.

The 1967 Cooper S of Kendrick and Bird ran faultlessly to enable them to take the title overall.

The championship was conceived by the HRCR and Mini rallying legend Paddy Hopkirk as a one-off to mark the 50th anniversary of the iconic Mini and entice more early cars back into stage rallying in this special anniversary year.

A good selection of well prepared cars entered back in February, with cars from 1965 to 1981 being eligible.

Mini 50 ran alongside the usual National Historic Championship utilising the same events, with one of the toughest challenges being the 100 stage miles of the Epynt military ranges in mid Wales during May.

Driver Paul Kendrick said: "The car has taken every thing that has been thrown at it this year and it's come back for more. Its strength and reliability has amazed us".

The only thing that failed in seven events was one wheel bearing, testament to the hours of meticulous pre-event preparation.