Thursday 28th January 2010

Video: Group B Greatest Hits

Highlights of rallying's golden era - with live sound

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It's not often that a YouTube video stops traffic in the PH office, but this epic showing the best of the legendary Group B rally cars did the trick.

It's a 'Greatest Hits'-type compilation, with footage including the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16, Metro 6R4, a bevy of Audi Quattros and Lancias, and even a few clips of Porsche and Ferrari rally cars. This is another 'Pure Sound' offering, too, meaning no cheesy elevator noise to corrupt the music of howling exhausts, flying gravel and squealing tyres.

As well as stunning cars and brave driving, some of the more heart-stopping moments feature the antics of the equally-brave spectators, who in true rally-fan fashion appear to have little regard for their own mortality. We salute you!

This 11 minute blast from the past was posted by YouTube user 'amjayes'. If you like this one, his other rally videos are worth a look too.

(Jalopnik saw this first - thanks!)

[RB Will]

REPOST!!

I started a thread about this in December.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Mafioso]

That looks bloody awesome! Only watched 2 mins of it because I'm supposed to be revising for an exam at 2pm! Damn you Pistonheads!

[soad]

Oh yes, that's more like it. Will keep me busy for a while.

[JayPee]

I wish I had been alive to see this for real, along with the Group C era at Le Mans, the 80's were a great time for Motorsport!

[Belfast Boy]

Great video! but a bit strange, a BMW M1 that cannot go around bends and a distinct lack of Skoda 130LR footage, I even think there was a Scirocco in there too???

[Fire99]

JayPee said:

I wish I had been alive to see this for real, along with the Group C era at Le Mans, the 80's were a great time for Motorsport!

Certainly were. Things have gone bit soft of late. Many drivers of that era were true legends and sorely missed!

[GTRene]

wow those Audi Quattros sounds the best of them me thinks...what a power(slides)

[mvalek1]

s4 and 037 sound the best, to me...evil sounding.

[Roberty]

Fantastic, loved the group B era.

It was certainly the pinnicle of Rallying, todays WRC cars maybe as quick but they just don't have the presence and beauty of a Group B rally weapon.

[Alfa numeric]

God I miss the '80s sometimes... We'd just moved into an area that had cable and I'd watch the rallying endlessly on Eurosport. the 205t16 and RS200 are still on my wishlist!

[Charlie Foxtrot]

Audi Quattro

[Snoggledog]

Love the classic shot of the 037 coming off the top of a rise, slightly sideways and the crowd parting before it.

[Arun_D]

I think everyone at some point has favourited this video on their youtube account.

[NotNormal]

The glory days indeed. As mentioned Group B and Group C racing was epic and still a joy to watch today.

Why can't motorsport people these days come up with some very basic rules for people to go race and then we get to see the diversity and truly mad creations that then get built and raced (with added bonus that some mad road going cars also get spawned)

Instead in this day and age there's soooooo many rules and regulations that all the cars look the same, have pretty much the same engines and therefore have championships which lack any true diversity, interest and excitement, not just for the teams taking part but also us the spectator.

[RICYP]

"balls out" edge of the seat driving, great! A awesome era of cars.Only makes you sad where we are today.

[Toby C]

Have always loved the sound of the Metro 6R4. Sexual.

[mightymouse]

Roll on Race Retro in March

Plus............Harry Flatters Stages on Epynt .
Slowly Sideways are doing a couple of demo runs.............that will be awesome

[NismoGT]

Most epic. That first shot of the Quattro Sport flying past , then the fella with his hands on his head in shock and awe sums this up pretty nicely!

[vintageracer01]

JayPee said:

I wish I had been alive to see this for real, along with the Group C era at Le Mans, the 80's were a great time for Motorsport!

They really were, I tell you! Motorsports at its maddest !!! Also the engine noises were unbelievable. (Not this ultra-high-rev scream)

This were the times !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[vintageracer01]

EPIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!