Russell Brookes RIP

[Coatesy351]

Passed away today. One of my favourites in the British rally championship in the heat for hire Mantas and Sierras. RIP

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/146884/twotime-...

[anonymous-user]

Coatesy351 said:

Passed away today. One of my favourites in the British rally championship in the heat for hire Mantas and Sierras. RIP

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/146884/twotime-...

Just found out about this myself. Gutted. Many amazing childhood memories watch the Brookes vs McRae battles.

Sad day for Motorsport.

[FiF]

That's depressing. Sad news.

[steve2]

A true legend who has gone far too early. rip

[tyrrell]

Russell Brookes a proper rally legend RIP

[Dynion Araf Uchaf]

A good solid British driver. At his best in the late 70's early 80's with a great run on the RAC rally with a couple of 3rd's and a 2nd. Won Rally New Zealand and came 6th on the 1000 Lakes in the early 80's. 2x British Champion. I liked him best in the Manta's, but that Andrews Heat for Hire Livery was iconic. It would be a nice tribute for them to come back for a rally in the future. RIP Brookes.

[Phil Dicky]

Very sad news RIP.

[generationx]

Sad news, another loss from the golden years of rallying.

[alfaromeo84]

RIP, bit before my time, but there is a guy here in Ireland rallying this:

http://owenmurphyrallying.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/7...

[Slippydiff]

generationx said:

Sad news, another loss from the golden years of rallying.

This ^

RIP RB.

Surprised there's no mention of his Chevette years :



https://www.flickr.com/photos/55777341@N00/3115999...

[PistonBroker]

Very sad news.

He signed a poster of his Chevette for me back in the early 80s when I was knee-high to a grasshopper. It was on my wall right up until I moved out in my early 20s.

[cookie1600]

He was one of the reasons I bought my Manta GTE in 1986. Unfortunately I wasn't as adept as Brookes at bringing the rear end back in line on wet roundabouts!

Wherever you've gone Russell, watch out for the '200 sharp left then 100 right 4 and jump!'

[sideways man]

RIP Mr Brookes. I met him once while I was marshalling in the Welsh Rally. Seemed a nice bloke.

[Dermot O'Logical]

generationx said:

Sad news, another loss from the golden years of rallying.

Indeed. Them were the days - Brookes, Bill Gwynn, Colin McRae's old man, the Motoring News Championship, the RAC Rally not being confined to Wales...

It all seemed more accessible back then. More "real". Oh well, RIP Russell. Thanks for the memories.

[oilit]

generationx said:

Sad news, another loss from the golden years of rallying.

couldn't have put it better

[Escort3500]

oilit said:

generationx said:

Sad news, another loss from the golden years of rallying.

couldn't have put it better

Nor me; inspirational driver.

[Nors]

Slippydiff said:

generationx said:

Sad news, another loss from the golden years of rallying.

This ^

RIP RB.

Surprised there's no mention of his Chevette years :



https://www.flickr.com/photos/55777341@N00/3115999...

Me too, I remember him most from his Chevette era because in the late 70's the Chevette & Lotus Sunbeam's were the fastest road going hatches of their time and waiting for my age to drive, I lusted after these.

RIP Russell

[sem59]

Many years ago I took part in a course at the Ford rally school here in northern Ireland. The 2 works drivers were Russell Brookes and John Taylor. Russell spent the day being driven round a course by people of varying talent from novice, myself, to very good club drivers. He never got uptight with anyone if they made a mistake even if it scared him silly!!!. John Taylor didn't like being a passenger so he took the theory class part of the event. A very informative day with a wonderful driver and instructor.

[86wasagoodyear]

In 84 or 85, Aged 10 or 11 on a family holiday at Abernant Lake Hotel, Llanwrtyd Wells, I met him & his Manta 400, out of competition. He was delighted to chat & show me around the car, truly inspiring for a kid mad about cars.

Now 35 years later, my children play in the much-loved pedal Go-Kart I had as a kid. It's a bit rusty now, and still proudly wears the Andrews Heat for Hire sticker given to me that day by a true gent & childhood idol.

Rest In Peace. My thoughts are with his family & friends.

[Mark-C]

That's sad news - but brought back fond memories of him and Jimmy McRae in the Mantas