BMW banger proves just the job

A Padworth couple triumphed at this year's Crumball Rally in a 20-year-old BMW 735

A PADWORTH couple was triumphant in this year's Crumball Rally, which saw them take their 20-year-old BMW banger on a 1,000 mile journey from Boulogne to Nice – taking on the mighty Alps in the process.

Nigel Hoyle, from Watson Close, Padworth, was joined by his wife Jacqueline and in-laws Adam Byford and Emma Jack, from Fareham, Hampshire, on the epic, three-day journey across the continent.

The rally had the theme ‘The Italian Job' and took place on July 22-24, during which competitors travelled some of the roads featured in the film, completing various challenges along the way, including buying a bottle of bubbly in Champagne and finding the exact location from which supplied pictures were taken en route.

The 68 competitors had to use a car bought for no more than £200, but Mr Hoyle and his team went one better by using one given to them for free by a previous entrant.

Not satisfied with the challenge set by the organisers, they also decided to drive from Fareham and back again.

Mr Hoyle said: “It was quite a challenge in a 20-year-old BMW 735, but we managed to complete (the rally) without too much car trouble. It started smoking heavily on the way back though and it has just about died now. We will have to scrap it.”

Their BMW was decorated with a Union Jack on the bonnet and an Italian flag on the boot.

Mr Hoyle said that this was one of the more conservative designs, a decision which played in their favour when a competitor, who had missiles strapped to his car, was escorted out of Switzerland by police.