Looking back: When Wallingford Car Rally enthusiasts took over the town
Wallingford has built a reputation for staging popular events and festivals which attract large crowds and the town’s car rally is one of them.
As it was cancelled this year due to the coronavirus we are looking back at the rally in 2017.
The good times car enthusiasts enjoyed then will hopefully return next year as the next rally is planned for Sunday, May 9, 2021.
Back in 2017, hundreds of cars from across the centuries zoomed past cheering residents in the ‘biggest yet’ Wallingford Vehicle Rally and Parade.
The sun shone off recently buffed bonnets and revved up engines drowned out the crowd as more than 350 vehicles took part.
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Organiser of the annual event Mark Brett said he was ‘blown away’ by the turnout and hoped it would beat the previous year’s fundraising total of £12,000.
He said at the time: “We are fundraising for lots of different local charities including the Wallingford Corn Exchange roof fund, the scouts and the Felix Fund a Didcot charity that helps people in the military involved Explosive Ordnance Disposal.”
The oldest car in the parade was a 1909 Pierce-Arrow, which drove alongside Mustangs, MGs, Lamborghinis and Corvettes.
Mayor of Wallingford Ros Lester said it was tradition for the rally to be the last public event in the mayor’s calendar before they step down from the position.
Ros Lester
Before riding in an open-top cream Mustang she added: “It really is a lovely event to finish the year as mayor with.
“It is a real treat to see so many cars from all different eras come together.”
For the third year in the row Dominic Taylor-Lane, who lives near Wallingford, brought one of his classic cars to the rally.
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He took with him his 1957 MGA and was part of the Sporting Bears Motor Club.
A couple enjoy a picnic at the car the…
Read more: Looking back: When Wallingford Car Rally enthusiasts took over the town