CHAMPIONS past and present were on hand at Saturday’s Rallyday at the Castle Combe circuit.

Thousands of rallying enthusiasts turned out as World Championship leader Sebastien Ogier led a star-studded line-up in the 13th year of the event.

The Frenchman, who normally drives a Volkswagen Polo R WRC, got the chance to sample a genuine ex-works Group B Audi Quattro A2.

That car was originally driven by 1984 world champion Stig Blomqvist, who was also attending and Ogier said: “It was my first time at Rallyday and it was fun to drive the Audi Quattro A2.

“I have never driven a historic car in my life until today. So it was a nice opportunity.

“It is funny because the car is the same age as me.”

Ogier also presented the inaugural Brian Stubbings Spirit of Rallyday Trophy, created in honour of the co-founder of Rallyday, who died in February this year.

Castrol’s global sponsorship manager Donald Smith was the first recipient.

Elfyn Evans was another World Rally driver to attend, driving the Qatar M-Sport World Rally Team Ford Fiesta RS WRC car that he took to sixth place overall on Rally Italia Sardegna in June.

He was joined at the event by his father, 1996 British champion Gwyndaf, while 2007 and 2008 British Rally champion, put the MML Sports Mitsubishi WRC05 – Mitsubishi’s last WRC car – through its paces.

Paddy Hopkirk, winner of the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally, was on hand to help mark the anniversary for Mini.

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