RE: Bjorn Waldegard on the RAC: Time For Tea?
Tuesday 2nd September 2014
The list of early WRC champions from the inaugural series in 1979 is a rallying hall of fame: Rohrl, Vatanen, Mikkola, Blomqvist, Salonen, Kankkunen. But the man who was there before all of them was Bjorn Waldegard, the first man to win the WRC in 1979 and who sadly passed away last week.
Bjorn Waldegard on the RAC: Time For Tea?
A great video showing off Waldegard at his sideways best
And as names in world rallying go, his perhaps isn't quite as revered as the other in that list. Given his achievement that seems a little unjust. So thanks to YouTube we can honour the Swede properly and appreciate his talent.
Moreover, this video of the 1977 RAC rally is a treat for all rallying fans and not just those of Waldegard. There are Escorts, Celicas and a Stratos or two sideways through everywhere through muddy forests. Keep a look out too for the special stage at Oulton Park and an Escort three-wheeling through Lodge...
Waldegard drives the #5 British Airways Escort RS1800 and is at his powersliding best throughout. And if there's not enough sideways 70s rallying goodness, be sure to check out part one of this two-part highlights reel.
See the video here.
[Pic: LAT]
Discussion
Them were the days!
I can't believe how close the crowd are on the exit of Lodge.
With everyday that passes I see historic motorsport growing in following and modern motorsport losing its following. The main reasons being because older cars sound better, look better and demand more of their drivers than the latest abs equipped/sequential box/traction controlled/strangled/hybrid eco cars seen in all forms of motorsport whether it be F1, Le Mans, BTCC, rallying etc. at the moment.
The only ray of sunshine in recent years has been the GT3 that's been allowed to enter the WRC.
Eloquent testimony of why I would not bother to be penned into a risk assessed spectator area somewhere in Wales , having been parted with lots of cash , to watch a thin field of over complex WRC cars which sound like hoovers, with idiot proof gearshifts and a ton of technology and running over a tiny stage mileage as well . Poor lambs even have to get night's rest. Of course WRCs are quick but so what?
Having been able to watch 220 strong entries of screaming analogue rally cars on a 5 day event for nothing at countless venues where I live Up North ,and not being told where I had to stand (within sensible limits ) I am glad to have seen the best of it when I did. I first saw Waldegaard in a works 911 in 1969 and he was mighty. But of that 2wd era nobody was more insanely quick than Vatanen and nobody more popular than Roger Clark ; the Escorts sounded wonderful but the Stratos other worldly. Then we had the pinnacle of Gp B which with turbo F1 was the most exciting era in motor sport in my lifetime . Downhill since there ...
Having been able to watch 220 strong entries of screaming analogue rally cars on a 5 day event for nothing at countless venues where I live Up North ,and not being told where I had to stand (within sensible limits ) I am glad to have seen the best of it when I did. I first saw Waldegaard in a works 911 in 1969 and he was mighty. But of that 2wd era nobody was more insanely quick than Vatanen and nobody more popular than Roger Clark ; the Escorts sounded wonderful but the Stratos other worldly. Then we had the pinnacle of Gp B which with turbo F1 was the most exciting era in motor sport in my lifetime . Downhill since there ...
coppice said:
But of that 2wd era nobody was more insanely quick than Vatanen and nobody more popular than Roger Clark ; the Escorts sounded wonderful but the Stratos other worldly. Then we had the pinnacle of Gp B which with turbo F1 was the most exciting era in motor sport in my lifetime . Downhill since there ...
+1WMP said:
Them were the days!
I can't believe how close the crowd are on the exit of Lodge.
With everyday that passes I see historic motorsport growing in following and modern motorsport losing its following. The main reasons being because older cars sound better, look better and demand more of their drivers than the latest abs equipped/sequential box/traction controlled/strangled/hybrid eco cars seen in all forms of motorsport whether it be F1, Le Mans, BTCC, rallying etc. at the moment.
The only ray of sunshine in recent years has been the GT3 that's been allowed to enter the WRC.
Agree with what you're saying here. I guess the argument of old vs new could go on forever but i'm definitely all for historic proper rallying.I can't believe how close the crowd are on the exit of Lodge.
With everyday that passes I see historic motorsport growing in following and modern motorsport losing its following. The main reasons being because older cars sound better, look better and demand more of their drivers than the latest abs equipped/sequential box/traction controlled/strangled/hybrid eco cars seen in all forms of motorsport whether it be F1, Le Mans, BTCC, rallying etc. at the moment.
The only ray of sunshine in recent years has been the GT3 that's been allowed to enter the WRC.
coppice said:
Eloquent testimony of why I would not bother to be penned into a risk assessed spectator area somewhere in Wales , having been parted with lots of cash , to watch a thin field of over complex WRC cars which sound like hoovers, with idiot proof gearshifts and a ton of technology and running over a tiny stage mileage as well . Poor lambs even have to get night's rest. Of course WRCs are quick but so what?
Having been able to watch 220 strong entries of screaming analogue rally cars on a 5 day event for nothing at countless venues where I live Up North ,and not being told where I had to stand (within sensible limits ) I am glad to have seen the best of it when I did. I first saw Waldegaard in a works 911 in 1969 and he was mighty. But of that 2wd era nobody was more insanely quick than Vatanen and nobody more popular than Roger Clark ; the Escorts sounded wonderful but the Stratos other worldly. Then we had the pinnacle of Gp B which with turbo F1 was the most exciting era in motor sport in my lifetime . Downhill since there ...
Just yes, that is all.Having been able to watch 220 strong entries of screaming analogue rally cars on a 5 day event for nothing at countless venues where I live Up North ,and not being told where I had to stand (within sensible limits ) I am glad to have seen the best of it when I did. I first saw Waldegaard in a works 911 in 1969 and he was mighty. But of that 2wd era nobody was more insanely quick than Vatanen and nobody more popular than Roger Clark ; the Escorts sounded wonderful but the Stratos other worldly. Then we had the pinnacle of Gp B which with turbo F1 was the most exciting era in motor sport in my lifetime . Downhill since there ...
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