The Ford Escort was without doubt one of the greatest rally cars of all time and no other model’s CV boasts eight consecutive wins on the RAC Rally. Memories of these are certain to be rekindled by the Motorsport Safety Fund’s 2006 Charity Christmas card, which features an oil painting of Hannu Mikkola and Arne Hertz en route to victory in the 1979 rally – the last achieved on this event by the all-conquering Escort.

The picture shows the car in typical pose – on opposite lock on a forest stage. It was painted by impressionist-style artist Matt Bruce RI.

The cards are priced at £6.50 for 10, including envelopes, postage and packing and are available from: Motorsport Safety Fund, PO BOX 200, Sevenoaks, TN15 8WZ.-