Consider this a little Friday afternoon treat in the Time For Tea? slot. Rather than a snippet of video, we have a 40-minute spectacular across four parts.
The premise of the BBC Rally Sprint was simple really, and deserves resurrection. It might have to be done without Rovers but something can be worked out. Essentially F1 and rally heroes were brought together to race on stage, track and autotest for a true battle royale to establish the best. And who wouldn't want to watch that?
The list of names from this 1983 Rally Sprint is great and includes Stig Blomqvist, Derek Warwick, Jimmy McRae, John Watson, Nigel Mansell and Pentti Airikkala. The latter is especially flamboyant in the forest with a 300hp SD1. Also see Mansell autotesting a Metro and Watson putting the moves on Nigel in the Montegos at Donington.
How could it be repeated? Perhaps Vauxhall with Adams on the autotest, Astras on the circuit and a VXR8 on the stage? It needs to be done. For now, take some time out of your Friday afternoon (and perhaps weekend) to enjoy this. And the winner? Well that would be telling.
Rally Sprint Part One
Rally Sprint Part Two
Rally Sprint Part Three
Rally Sprint Part Four