RALLYING stars past and present attracted thousands of fans to Castle Combe's RallyDay, writes TREVOR PORTER.

Among those meeting fans and signing autographs at the 17th annual event was former world champion Stig Blomqvist, who won his home event, the Swedish rally, seven times and the global drivers' title in 1984.

Having won the the British Rally Championship and the famous Lombard RAC rally, Blomqvist took the title 'Champion of Champions' in 1989 and 1990.

Three current World Rally Championship drivers - Toyota works driver Jari- Matti Latvala, M-Sport's Ott Tanak, fresh from his WRC victory in Germany and Great Britain star Elfyn Evans.

M-Sport drivers are currently leading the manufacturers world title standings under the guidance of boss Malcolm Wilson, who himself won British national titles at the wheel of a Ford Escort and drove for three factory teams in the World Championship before spending several years as Ford’s chief test driver.

M-Sport has a string of international tiles and rally wins to its credit, preparing the Dord Fiesta R5 rally cars that dominate the worlds series from their Cumbrian base.

Bath Motor Club brought the Ford Escort that won the Lombard Rally when the city staged the event, former international rally navigator and club chairman David Whittock arranging to get the car delivered to the circuit to take pride of place at the club’s stand.

Whittock said: "This show is Britain’s biggest rally show where enthusiast to the sport can brush shoulders with the stars both past and present and take a close look at cars from every era.”

There was also a surprise for Whittock himself, as he found the car he partnered with Toyota works driver Per Eklund on the Rothman’s Manx International on show compete with his name still written on the side.