4:39pm Tuesday 17th November 2009
THE legendary Vic Elford is the guest of honour at the Lancashire Automobile Club's annual motorsport luncheon next month.
Arguably the most versatile driver in history, Elford was the last British competitor to win the Monte Carlo Rally before going on to an illustrious career in racing.
Elford will be flying in from Florida especially for the event, which takes place at the Stirk House, Gisburn, on Sunday, November 29.
"We are thrilled and honoured to have Vic with us for our annual luncheon, where he will regale us with stories from his illustrious past " said LAC chairman Carolyn Taylor.
"There can be no other motor sport personality, Stirling Moss included, who has had such a span in our cherished sport.
"Vic started his career as a humble navigator on British club rallies, but his ability as a rally driver soon became evident and works drives with Triumph, Ford and ultimately Porsche came his way.
"He was a very fast driver and victories on many International events soon followed. In 1967 he became European Rally Champion.
"However, it was 1968 that he had his crowning glory, winning the prestigious Monte Carlo Rally, followed by a win the next weekend in the Daytona 24 Hours. Then in his first F1 race in July, Vic took a badly out-classed Cooper T86B to a stunning fourth-place finish in the soaking-wet French Grand Prix.
"Although he raced for five years for Porsche ,he also raced for Ford, Triumph, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Chaparral, Shadow, Cooper, Lola, Chevron, Subaru. He also drove McLaren in F1 and CanAm, Chevrolet in TransAm."
Limited to just 200 places, tickets - priced £30 each - are selling fast, and reservations or enquiries can be made by contacting Alwyn Davis, tel: 01254 201455.
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