Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship contenders Callum Barney and Ron Channon have been awarded the Shekhar Mehta “Spirit of Rallying” Trophy for their efforts to resurrect and then rally a barn-find Ford Cortina Mk1 in the 2012 MSA Historic series.

The prestigious trophy, depicting a cheetah at full speed, is named in honour of the Kenyan former Safari Rally winner and Datsun works driver. The Historic Rally Car Register awards it annually to a person or persons who show particular determination and a ‘press on regardless’ spirit.

Callum originally competed in the 1960s but retired from rallying until 2011, when he rescued the Cortina from the barn where it had remained untouched for 40 years. After a complete rebuild lasting six months, he contacted Ron Channon - the car’s former owner – and invited him to the Castle Combe Rally Day to be reunited with his machine. At the same time, he recruited Ron to co-drive. “Ron drove the Cortina in national and international rallies in the ‘60s, so I invited him to swap seats and co-drive for me; he agreed and we’ve had a great time ever since,” says Callum.

In 2012, the pairing competed on selected gravel rounds in the BHRC. Despite their long layoff, they scored four class wins and, at October’s Colin McRae Stages, a well-deserved second in Category One behind a Porsche 911. “We must have been trying hard that day, because we left a wing mirror embedded in a Scottish tree!” Callum jokes.

BHRC Chairman David Lucas explained the reasons behind the award. “Callum and Ron typify our ‘hard trier’ type of competitor,” he says. “They have put huge efforts into rebuilding and then running a car simply to get out and enjoy their rallying. Shekhar Mehta would undoubtedly have approved of them as worthy winners.”

The Mintex MSA British Historic series got under way at the Rally Marketing Mid Wales Stages, based in Newtown, Powys, on March 3rd. As always, BHRC crews will run ahead of the modern cars, ensuring they have the added advantage of competing while the stage surface is in the best possible condition.

Further details plus full regulations and championship registration forms for the 2013 Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship are available from the Historic Rally Car Register’s website, at www.hrcr.co.uk.