RALLYCROSS - What's happened.
Discussion
Back in the late 80's early 90's, I helped run the startline for Rallycross at Brands. It was awesome! RS200s, 6R4s, Quatros - all ex-group b rally cars churning out more HP than an F1 car (which they could also out-accelerate!). The likes of Will Gollop, John Welch and Dimi Mavropolus, Mark Rennison et al, blasting along the top of South Bank was something to behold. I think one year, the Rallycross GP had the second largest attendance after the F1 Grand Prix. If ever there was a motor sport made for TV, this was it - in fact it was made for TV!
So what's happened to it now? It barely gets a coloumn in Autosport.
It would be great to see some messages from anyone that went to any of these meetings.
By the way, if any of the Startline gang (The Canaries) are reading this - JP now owns The Swan in Little Totham (Essex) and it's great.
So what's happened to it now? It barely gets a coloumn in Autosport.
It would be great to see some messages from anyone that went to any of these meetings.
By the way, if any of the Startline gang (The Canaries) are reading this - JP now owns The Swan in Little Totham (Essex) and it's great.
The current EC cars are still attractive but I'd say it's just badly marketed. The only region where it still has the same importance a 20 years ago is Skandinavia.
www.rallycross.com
www.rallycross.com
Just had a look at www.rallycross.com and found out the the final of the British Championship will be at Brands on the 13 November. Excellent news!
Can anyone remember the name of a driver from Herefordshire who used to run a white Metro - Dave I think was his first name.
Can anyone remember the name of a driver from Herefordshire who used to run a white Metro - Dave I think was his first name.
Saw some Rallycross up at Croft about 10 years ago, best days motorsport ive ever seen. Loads of home grown cars (a Seira with a mid mounted V8 and half a bucket on each rear window for air intakes !!!). Some really fast stuff and all the drivers where mental, no-one backed off into the first corner so loads of mayhem.
Steviebee, I think the guy you are refering to is Dave Ward, he now runs a Corsa in the Modified class running a Swindon engine. A good mate of mine is one of his mechanics, prior to working for Dave he worked (and still does a bit) for Rob Gibson who was around in the Gollop/Schanche era in his yellow 6R4...
Dave Ward was on the Rallycross stand at Autosport this weekend, along with Pat Doran (RS200)
Dave Ward was on the Rallycross stand at Autosport this weekend, along with Pat Doran (RS200)
Thanks Danster - that's the chap! You've also reminded me about Rob Gibson - another class one loon and brilliant with it! Didn't he run a 911 before the 6R4?
There was also another 911 driver of the same era - had a glass eye. I think he's since moived into major engine developement specialising in Porsche.
His 911 was a bit before my time, but i've seen vids of it, I'd heard it was running nearly 1000 BHP at one point. He got a bit er..airbourne in it once- i think it was at Lydden Hill. Apparently his hand prints were imbedded in the alloy dash! He's still got his 6R4, we keep pestering him to bring it out but he never does...
Since I posted this a few weeks back, I 've since come across a few of the old drivers; Paul Baily (Escort RS2000 I think) sells second hand cars in Bickanre, near Danbury, Barry Hathaway sells Ladas (!) and his brother Graham runs an engine development company - both near Maldon and John Pearson flogs old Fords, also near Maldon.
The final of this year's Britich Rallycross championship is also going to be held at Brands - yipeee!
The final of this year's Britich Rallycross championship is also going to be held at Brands - yipeee!
I used to marshal with TEAC (Thames Estuary Automobile Club) back in the glory days of the 70s, 
and was at Paddock Bend at Lydden when Keith Ripp had his encounter with Mabbs' Bank (as seen on TV many times!).
I also recall Rod Chapman's 4WD Capri crossing the finishing line out of control as Rod's seat had broken free of it's mounting bolts and he was right at the back of the car - he wasn't badly hurt though he did have concussion as a result. Another memory was seeing Tony Brise (Graham Hill's Embassy Team's F1 driver) driving an Escort I think.
Anyone remember the V8-powered Daf complete with Variomatic Transmission?
As the Beeb have lost F1 (probably for good), Rallycross would make good viewing during those dark winter months.
and was at Paddock Bend at Lydden when Keith Ripp had his encounter with Mabbs' Bank (as seen on TV many times!). I also recall Rod Chapman's 4WD Capri crossing the finishing line out of control as Rod's seat had broken free of it's mounting bolts and he was right at the back of the car
- he wasn't badly hurt though he did have concussion as a result. Another memory was seeing Tony Brise (Graham Hill's Embassy Team's F1 driver) driving an Escort I think. Anyone remember the V8-powered Daf complete with Variomatic Transmission?
As the Beeb have lost F1 (probably for good), Rallycross would make good viewing during those dark winter months.
Went to watch rallycross for the 1st time at Mondelo Park yesterday. Best day I have had in a long time. 2 6R4's and a Ford Escort Cossie were stunningly fast. Best sight was the flames out the back of the 6R4's as they slowed for the 1st corner. Best sound was the whoosh of the Cossie's turbos. Best Racing was the Stock Hatch Final.
wolosp said:
I used to marshal with TEAC (Thames Estuary Automobile Club) back in the glory days of the 70s,
I also recall Rod Chapman's 4WD Capri crossing the finishing line out of control as Rod's seat had broken free of it's mounting bolts and he was right at the back of the car
Anyone remember the V8-powered Daf complete with Variomatic Transmission?
As the Beeb have lost F1 (probably for good), Rallycross would make good viewing during those dark winter months.
Hi
My mate and I were the first marshals on the scene at this incident. Our claim to fame is appearing (just) on the opening titles of Grandstand for several years as a result. We both spent many happy years freezing our cacks off at the Devils Elbow post.
Great days when motorsport was a lot less rules and regs and more getting down to it.
Rallycross is definitely making a comeback. It spent a the late 90's and 00/01 in the wilderness but it's most definitely on the way back.
Have a look at www.rallycrossuk.com for the latest on the UK side of things and www.rallycross.nl for all things European.
I'm currently competing (a limited championship for me this year) in the BTRDA clubman's Stockhatch class and hopefully progressing up to the full on Stockhatch class next year once I've got my A licence. Therefore this isn't an impartial view point!
There were 15,000 to 20,000 at Brands last year and it wasn't even advertised. This year it's going to be even better - Brands Hatch, 2 days, the full on Supercars and Supermodified's blasting round. October 30/31st 2004.
Have a look at www.rallycrossuk.com for the latest on the UK side of things and www.rallycross.nl for all things European.
I'm currently competing (a limited championship for me this year) in the BTRDA clubman's Stockhatch class and hopefully progressing up to the full on Stockhatch class next year once I've got my A licence. Therefore this isn't an impartial view point!
There were 15,000 to 20,000 at Brands last year and it wasn't even advertised. This year it's going to be even better - Brands Hatch, 2 days, the full on Supercars and Supermodified's blasting round. October 30/31st 2004.
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