Figaro run through the Dales outshines California for a top award

The calibre of the Figaro Owners Club rally caught the attention of the Classic & Sports Car magazine award judges, overtaking shortlisted contenders including TVR and the Sunbeam Tigers tour to the sunshine state.

In June this year, 120 Figaro car owners from the UK and Europe travelled to the Yorkshire Dales for their annual rally, an event which ran as smoothly as the 59 vintage engines.

The colourful convoy made its way up and down the dales for 4 days following a route and packed itinerary planned by local yellow Figaro owner, Jane Ellison-Bates. The rally showcased the Yorkshire Dales National Park, taking in parts of Wharfedale, Nidderdale, Coverdale, Wensleydale, Littondale, Malhamdale, Ribblesdale and The Three Peaks.

The Classic Car Show fills five exhibition halls at the NEC, with 253 clubs exhibiting and competing for the prestigious annual awards. Collecting the Best Club Run/Rally award at the ceremony, Jane Ellison-Bates was thrilled to have the Figaro rally acknowledged among its peers.

She commented: “Six months of largely sleepless nights in the planning was all worthwhile, but ultimately none of it would happen without the tireless support of our club founder, Kevin Fagan and the fun-loving, enthusiastic Figaro friends that come together to make the rallies rather special. The Yorkshire Dales are a perfect backdrop for driving the cars and it was a joy to show off this wonderful landscape, which I hope will attract more clubs.”

Kevin Fagan was equally delighted with the award which followed the club’s success in winning the Best Club Magazine award at the show in 2015.

TV motoring celebrity Ant Anstead of Wheeler Dealers and For the Love of Cars presented the award alongside Dave Youngs, Car Club Manager of sponsors Lancaster Insurance.

A flavour of the rally, including aerial drone footage of the convoys can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRGJVdzNKu4