RTG The Daily Dispatch EL CLAVEL 2026 - Day 0 - Flipbook - Page 16
Day 6: La Franca to Santander, 19 September 2026
Text & photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
A less frantic section followed with a Regularity through
the Valle de Cieza before we sat down to a freshly grilled
lunch from the tongs of the parrillero at the Time Control
in Vejorís. This threw a little coal on our fire, raising enough
steam to climb to the final Route Check over the most
beautiful road on the event, the Alto la Barrancosa, before
dropping into the second Regularity at Merilla.
The finish line and MTC beckoned atop the windswept
cliffs at the Palacio de la Magdalena in Santander. Soon
enough, after the cars had rolled under the arch, the final
day’s numbers were crunched. Both in Frazer Nash-BMWs,
and with a mere 19 seconds between them, Gavin and Diana
Henderson, took the Vintage El Clavel 2026 win ahead of
runners-up, Peter Kite and Pete Johnson.
Well known in vintage car circles, Gavin and Diana have
been threatening to land a major win for some time. After
taking a few gulps of well-deserved, well-chilled fizz, it was
clear that they were enjoying the view from the top step of
the podium.
“This has been a fantastic rally, tough at times but very
enjoyable, and the other competitors have been brilliant.
They pushed us hard though, so we’re delighted that we
were able to hold on for the win.”
“Diana, my wife, and I have been rallying for nearly 15
years. She’s a brilliant navigator but hasn’t got a competitive
cell in her body; however, she’s done so well getting us here
at the front of the pack, so a big thank you to her.”
“It’s our first win but is the second rally that the car
has won, the first being the 1939 RAC, so it’s nice to have
another one on its list.”
“If you’ve got a vintage car sitting in the garage and want
to do more than just look at it, come and join us; it’s a lot
of fun. Mark and Anthony found some superb roads in a
beautiful part of Spain and the Rally the Globe team put
together a superb event.”
There were some discretionary awards, with the Spirit
of the Rally going to Michael Cotter and Mark Brien, who
threw their little BMW into every corner like it was their last.
Craig, Chloe and Agnes McWilliam took the Against all Odds
trophy for their efforts in getting their chain-driven Frazer
Nash to the finish line despite a succession of gearbox and
carburettor problems.
Rally Director, Mark Appleton, was quick to praise the
entire Rally the Globe team, and he thanked Anthony
Preston, our Clerk of the Course, for his hard work in
putting together such a great route. He also lauded the
spirit in which the competition was tackled by the crews.
“It’s been great to be able to bring some of the unique
spirit of the Shamrock and mix it with the best territory in
northern Spain to create a whole new El Clavel experience.
There have been some tough days and some challenging
sections, but the competitors have embraced it all, and I’m
delighted that our first El Clavel has been so well received.”
Martyn Reeves and Martin Lamb, 1935 Alvis Firebird with Eric and John
Kavanagh, 1934 Frazer Nash TT Replica following
And the winners are... Gavin and Diana Henderson, Frazer Nash-BMW
...with Peter Kite and Pete Johnson close runners-up
www.rallytheglobe.com
