DAVID WHALE FBHVC CHAIRMAN The FBHVC lobbies in Westminster and beyond. Call Emma Balaam on 01708 223111, email secretary@fbhvc.co.uk or see fbhvc.co.uk
Filling the mountains of north Africa with the outrageous sound of 15 Lamborghini V12s proved a dramatic way to celebrate 55 years of the iconic Miura supercar. The Miuroccan Mission from 6-11 October was a 1008km road rally organised by classic dealer and long-term Miura enthusiast and authority Simon Kidston.
Originally planned for 2021, the epic tour was rescheduled for this autumn when the African heat was down to a more moderate 28-35ºC. The routes were planned by events agency 2fast4you, with mechanical support provided by Italian specialist Top Motors Salvioli, including a back-up support team on the ground.
Starting from the city of Marrakesh, the colourful line of Lamborghini exotics made the 50-mile crossing of the High Atlas mountain range before visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aït Benhaddou, a remarkable example of the earthen clay architecture that evokes the history of trans-Saharan trade. The second dayʼs route followed the Valley of Roses up to the Gorges du Dadès, a snaking piece of 40-mile-plus Tarmac famous for its spectacular (and potentially dangerous) topography. A blast across more flat, open roads around to the carpet-trading town of Tazenakht, at the foot of the smaller Anti-Atlas mountains to the south, completed the tour of this dramatic countryʼs centre.
Among the selection were two Miura P400s, four P400Ss, five SVs and a single SVJ, including some vehicles with exceptional provenance. Present was the prototype SV, as well as the last car to leave the production line, while the magnificent flagship SVJ is one of just a handful made.
There were several famous names on hand, too, including legendary Lamborghini test driver Valentino Balboni behind the wheel of one of the Miuras. The cars were, perhaps unsurprisingly, in fine order so there were no problems with overheating or grounding out. Some gremlins did crop up, including a regular demand for spark plugs among the group, and one car suffered from fuelling issues while another had a problematic (non-original) electronic-ignition system.
The supercars finished the final leg back to Marrakesh proudly wearing the dust, dirt and stone-chips of their trials, most living up to the mantra that those driven the most often suffer the fewest problems. The majority were able t
