After 6000 miles and 20 days around the subcontinent, the Pearl of India 2025 was decided on the very last day in favour of the 1938 Ford V8 Coupe of Richard Clark and Jonathan Round on 7 March.
The pair began the final day in third, but longtime leaders Martin and Olivia Hunt on a Bentley 4½ Litre lost a minute to a blocked regularity and misfortune struck Jim Grayson and Simon Spinks, who inherited the lead.
Their Ford Escort Mexico missed the start of a regularity and were penalised by a minute, gifting top spot to Clark and Round and dropping the ex-works Mexico to third.
“We are incredibly grateful to make it to the end, that is an achievement in itself,” Clark said. “It’s great to be at the finish, but it is tinged with sadness that we will be leaving this fantastic country that has hosted us for 6000km. Thank you India.”
The rally began in Mumbai, heading north to Jodhpur and Agra before looping down through the centre of the country to Hyderabad, west to Goa before the 400km run back to Mumbai.
The country left an impression on all, it seems, with eventual runners up Martin and Olivia Hunt adding: “We have had an amazing time, India has been the most fabulous destination for a rally.”
HERO-ERA chairman, Tomas de Vargas Machuca, said he couldn’t wait to come back, adding: “I have loved the people of India, the food, the culture and the experience, as well, of course, as the wonderful group of people on this rally. With all of that combined, this rally has simply been a success.”
Tomas will swap his Mercedes for the 'Bicester Bentley' next when he takes to the start of the Peking to Paris.
