THREE daredevils from Studley have won this year’s Wacky Rally Rockin to Rimini after driving more than 1,000 miles across several countries in a bargain banger.

Pete Bennett, Pablo Raybould and Richard Walters travelled through France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany and into Switzerland in just one day, in a Saab 93 which cost less than £200.

Their journey, which began on June 19 and ended on June 22, took the trio in their Weatheroak Brewery bar themed car, through the world-famous Stelvio Pass, the ski town of Livigno and Cortina d'Ampezzo, the town where the 1956 Winter Olympics were held.

Mr Raybould said: “You get to see some great things whilst travelling through most of Europe.

“When coming off one of the passes, above the cloud line, we were actually in a rainbow – that is a first.

“We were given challenges en route each day and we lay third by just a few points until the last day, the drive from Cortina, in the Dolomites, to the finish point of Rimini,where we more than made up on a limitless round.

“That day saw us leave the temperature of Cortina at one degree and just a few hours later we were in a searing 33 degrees.”

He added that despite the win the trip had not been without its problems.

“We had a coolant leak from the water pump which was lubricating the power steering belt causing loss of steering occasionally,” he said.

“This was a major concern as we also drove ten alpine passes including the mighty Stelvio Pass at 9,000 feet and with lots of hairpins, which is ok going up but coming down you need steering and brakes.

“We fixed the coolant leak by cracking a few eggs into the radiator.”

A celebratory awards party was held at a British themed pub in Rimini and the team from Studley gave their car to the boss in exchange for a lift to the airport.

The trio dressed up as beverages Gordon’s gin and whiskies Jack Daniels and Jim Bean for the adventure, and these costumes were made local seamstress and costumier Jenny Binns

The team were sponsored by Weatheroak Brewery and The Victoria works in Studley.

For more information on the rally visit www.wackyrally.co.uk.