BRADFORD-based rally driver Andy Harrison will drive Barrie Williams' 1968 Welsh International winning car at the revived Lombard Rally rally in Bath next Friday as a tribute to his long-time friend and mentor, who passed away last month.

Harrison, who will drive the Mini alongside Peter Smith, said: "Barrie was a larger than life figure in British and European racing and rallying events. He raced for over 60 years and only retired in 2017.

"After his retirement, he passed his helmet to me and I promised to wear it for my races as my own personal tribute to him.

"Following his death in September this year, the organisers decided to honour Barrie by asking us to run as the first car on the stages."

The 2018 Lombard starts in Bath and runs from October 19-21. It will contain a number of stages last used in the 1970s and 80s in Somerset and Devon.

As well as Williams' Mini, spectators will be able to see many of the cars of the period including the Triumph TR7, Audi Quattro and Austin Healey.

Williams was given the nickname "Whizzo" by a journalist following his outstanding win at the 1964 Welsh International Rally.

The journalist asked who this "Welsh Whizz" was in his article and the name stuck, despite the fact that he was not Welsh, having been born in Herefordshire.

His drive in the 1964 Welsh was the first international rally win for the Mini Cooper S and the start of Williams' professional motorsport career.

He followed this up by becoming the first British driver to complete the Swedish Winter Rally with co-driver John Devonport.

Williams started with Hillclimbing in an Austin A40 Devon and ended his career driving historics at top events, including Goodwood.

In between, he took part in over 700 races and 250 rallies. His career embraced saloon cars, sports cars, endurance racing, historics and Formula Three, where he raced alongside the likes of Derek Bell, Ronnie Peterson and Frank Williams.

Barrie Williams sadly died after a short illness and fall at the age of 79 at the start of last month.