Now in its fourth year, this rally has gone from strength to strength and is now sanctioned by the FIA as one of the 11 Historic Rallies counting towards the FIA European Historic Rally Championship. This accolade reflects the diligence with which the organisers have constantly refined and improved the Majorcan based event.

Centred at the “Circuito de Mallorca”, Llucmajor (pronounced Look-my-or) 10 miles east of the Islands Capital Palma, it provides all the necessary facilities for administering the event with the competitors conveniently accommodated close by at the Robinson Resort Complex, Cala Serena.

This year a new class structure was introduced , with some cars competing for the Trofeo Baleares and others for the Historic Island Trophy. Both of these groups were split into Competition and Regularity categories, which were further sub divided by vehicle age and engine capacity. Sounds complicated – but in truth it has lead to a wider and more eclectic selection of cars competing which will do much to enhance future events.

Held over four days and with a total rally distance in excess of 650km – including 16 special stages amounting to 150 kms – this was serious “historic motoring”! Three of the stages are worthy of particular note, owing to a combination of their scenic beauty and daunting nature – the 15 km Puig Major,10 km Col de Soller and the awesome Sa Calobra Hillclimb, where the road takes 12kms to cover a straightline distance of 4 kms – owing to the steepness of the intervening mountains.

A total of 150 cars were entered in the various categories, approx 100 competing for the Trofeo and the balance the Island Trophy. Whilst various classes accommodated cars of differing ages and engine capacities the overall cut off date was 1976. Cars of note in the main competition section in addition to the inevitable Porsche 911’s, were two Mustangs, four Shelby GT350’s, an S Type Invicta and to much applause a German entered 1929 Mercedes SSK. In the regularity section, Shell Historic Ferrari Challenge competitor Corrado Cupellini entered his stunning 1957 Ferrari 250TR alongside a hemi-powered Allard J2X, a pre war BMW 328 and a personal favourite Pit Lindner’s Siata 208S – along with a goodly selection of Mercedes 300 SL’s.

The Historic Island Trophy entrants included 2 shrill Lancia Stratos', Lancia 037 Rallye, long time historic racer Richard Wills in his 250 Lusso and Nico and Geraldine Koel’s Dino 246 – more of which later! Overall a much wider and more interesting selection than in previous years, helped in part by the excellent level of sponsorship from commercial organisations represented on Majorca and the eager support of the Ministry of Tourism who are anxious to attract “off -season” events to this holiday island. The weather throughout was ideal for rallying – dry, cool and bright.

Of particular interest to Ferrari afficionados was Nico and Geraldine Koel’s Dino 246 – a very early series 1 car, with several 206 features and experimental modifications which later became standard e.g. Cromodoro wheels. The car is largely unrestored other than a recent Piet Roelofs engine rebuild and finished well in the overall results

Thanks again to Peter Raumann, Mike Riedner and their team who have helped cement the Trofeo as the starting point of the European historic calendar, where it now ranks alongside the Modena Centro D’oro and Tour Auto as a spectacle.

In summary, if early season historic rallying is for you then look no further than the 5th Trofeo Baleares Clasico in March 2005 but remember to bring a coat, it's cold in the mountains!!

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Long-time historic racer Richard Wills's 250 Lusso

Author's favourite - Pit Linder's Siata 208

One of two "shrill" Lancia Strati

Albert Otten's BMW 328

Corrado Cupellini's 250TR

David Kedward's Lancia 037 Rallye - whatever happened to Martini Racing?

Nico and Geraldine Koel's interesting and historically significant 246 Dino

Metro 6R4 - still crazy after all these years