Friday 15th August 2014

BBC Rally Sprint 1983: Time For Tea?

Stig in an SD1, Mansell in a Metro and McRae in a Montego; you'll want to see this!

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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

 

 

[vtecyo]

What a fantastic event / TV show that'd be!

[jumare]

I went to this in '76 (I think), Vatanen, Watson, Eklund, Taylor, Tambay, Pond, Jones & Mass. Then they had a variety of rally cars, Escort, TR7 V8 and Sunbeam Lotus. I've got a programme signed by all of the drivers.

Great event.

[sideways man]

Can't remember specific names,but I have a vague recollection of the rally men winning this most years.

[TheOrangePeril]

Great videos but McRae isn't in a Montego... They're Maestros!

[nf82]

Geat viewing, wish they would do something like this now. The maestro's are obviously set up pretty soft and it's good to see them roll all around in the corners!

[Blayney]

That was fantastic! Bring thie back. Better than Race of Champions...

[quigonjay]

ahhh fond memories from when I was 11, although slightly embarrasing also remembering what cars I used to lust after

[MC Bodge]

nf82 said:

Geat viewing, wish they would do something like this now. The maestro's are obviously set up pretty soft and it's good to see them roll all around in the corners!

It is really entertaining racing from a load of 110bhp MG Maestros though.

Mansell could certainly drive.

[Pickled]

MC Bodge said:

Mansell could certainly drive.

He struggled with the SD1's gearbox though, saw the reversing lights come on a few times

I guess the RoC is the modern version, not quite as entertaining though (IMO)

[lamboman100]

Interesting to see an unmarshalled public crowd at an organized event just feet away from a driven-on-the-limit car controlled by a racer with no helmet. Looks almost bizarre now.

[Randy Winkman]

That's great. Though I mist admit, I'm a bit obsessed with 70s cars.

Anyone remember that 1970s or early 80s BBC programme where blokes raced one by one up a hill motocross bikes? It wasn't a normal motorcycle hill climb as the hill wasn't that steep. It was more like a short, uphill rally stage.

[MC Bodge]

lamboman100 said:

Interesting to see an unmarshalled public crowd at an organized event just feet away from a driven-on-the-limit car controlled by a racer with no helmet. Looks almost bizarre now.

In the UK we have now been conditioned to accept extreme "Health and Safety" requirements in even the most benign, pathetic situations. We're managing to influence other nations too, it is possibly one of our most successful exports in recent times.

[Randy Winkman]

MC Bodge said:

lamboman100 said:

Interesting to see an unmarshalled public crowd at an organized event just feet away from a driven-on-the-limit car controlled by a racer with no helmet. Looks almost bizarre now.

In the UK we have now been conditioned to accept extreme "Health and Safety" requirements in even the most benign, pathetic situations. We're managing to influence other nations too, it is possibly one of our most successful exports in recent times.

Did we really invent that in the UK?

[MC Bodge]

Randy Winkman said:

Did we really invent that in the UK?

We certainly refined and perfected it. The USA isn't the same, if that's what you are thinking.

[MC Bodge]

Randy Winkman said:

Did we really invent that in the UK?

We certainly refined and perfected it. The USA isn't the same, if that's what you are thinking.

[J4CKO]

Very evocative, the sound of Murray Walker !

I would have been 12 when this was on, didnt see it but I know its one of those things my dad would spot and we would wait round for all day, in the pre internet, pre satellite days we were a bit starved of motor related tv.

That Rover still exists by the way, currently SORNed.

[jet_noise]

sideways man said:

Can't remember specific names,but I have a vague recollection of the rally men winning this most years.

That's my memory too. Loved the program,
I wonder if the results would have been different if the track races were longer. The opportunity for a lapse of concentration mistake would increase,

regards,
Jet

[MC Bodge]

Does anybody else remember "Driving Force" on the BBC around Christmas in the 80s? Mike Smith was involved.

Edit: I didn't realised he had died recently.

[Jasper Gilder]

Great guys and times - what a character Tony Pond was - I'm sure we all mourn his passing

[MC Bodge]

Jasper Gilder said:

Great guys and times - what a character Tony Pond was - I'm sure we all mourn his passing

Indeed. Quite handy around the TT course in a Rover 800 too.

I remember seeing an indoor kart race with famous racing drivers in the early 90s (Senna, Prost etc.).

That sort of thing should be brought back.

The "crossover" would be interesting if the BBC used the Top Gear track for the race.