National rally for classic car enthusiasts on Devon and Somerset border

More than 100 classic and modern Rover cars are expected to attend a national rally taking place on Sunday, July 12, at Forde Abbey, near Chard.

More than 100 classic and modern Rover cars are expected to attend a national rally taking place on Sunday, July 12, at Forde Abbey, near Chard.

The event is being organised by the Rover Sports Register and is the first national rally they have staged in the Devon and Somerset area.

Richard Bryant from the Rover Sports Register said: "We traditionally hold our national rally in the Midlands every other year, with the event taking place in a different region in the intervening years.

"This year we are visiting the South West where there will be an optional road run on Saturday and our main rally at Forde Abbey on the Sunday. We are hoping to attract a wide range of Rovers, Land Rovers, Range Rovers and other non-Rover classics."

To date, the array of entries includes a 1904 Rover 8hp as one of the very first cars Rover built, a 1925 16/50 from Cumbria, various examples of the P4 and P5 and some of the last examples of the 25, 45 and 75, including their MG Z derivatives, to leave the Longbridge assembly plant in 2005. Further support is also expected from model-specific Rover clubs such as the P4 Drivers Guild, P6 Owners Club and the SD1 Club.

The national rally starts at 10am and costs �12 for the driver and their car, and �6.90 for additional adults which gives full access to Forde Abbey house and its grounds. Children aged 14 and under have free admission.