Toivonen

Author
Discussion

Jim H

Original Poster:

864 posts

190 months

Wednesday 8th March 2023
quotequote all
Hi, I’ve posted this in the Rallying thread also, but I feel it has crossover connotations, and may not get the audience it richly deserves. It’s a fantastic video for all motorsport fans.

Mods please feel free to move / delete.

Thanks Jim

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LY-CFMir-Qw&t=63...

Jim H

Original Poster:

864 posts

190 months

Friday 10th March 2023
quotequote all
There is many a shot of Henri doing massive tyre smoking doughnuts in his Sunbeam following his first RAC I have a similar image in my mind, when Colin won his first RAC and championships - doing the same thing.

I think Colin was the embodiment of Henri’s passion. He was just lock - to - lock - foot hard down.

I don’t really follow motorsport now, rallying / F1 etc.

The time was. I could make a trip up to Grizedale and watch for free - and be completely blown away.

When I watched Henri back in 85 on his way to his second RAC victory in the utterly bonkers S4, I thought I’d seen it all.

As a 13 year old.

Until Colin arrived a few years later.

The pity is knowing ,Colin’s attitude went way over the top, and ended in absolute tragedy for so many people.

I remember exactly where I was , what I was doing on that day in May 1986.

Also, September 15, 2007.

Jim H

Original Poster:

864 posts

190 months

Tuesday 21st March 2023
quotequote all
I’ve read a bit about the accident on the internet , and if you go digging ( always a dubious place) .

How true is always speculative .

There is a theory that the throttle pedal on Henri’s car became melded to the floor pan.

Iit has to be observed, Henri always drove with a heavy foot.

A very hot Corsican day…?

I think it’s generally agreed the Lancia team had also removed a ‘skid plate’ beneath the fuel tank to reduce weight.

There are other stories relating to the fuel the Lancia was running on that day, regarding a Toluene mix, I remember watching them go past and there was an evident noxious smell afterwards.

You have to bear in mind Henri’s car literally exploded.

This was essentially a No Rules formula, so it’s entirely conceivable .


I’ve visited the FOS a few times and gone up to the forest stages to see the old Group B cars, it’s not the same, theyj are generally just pootling around.

The only place I’ve had the same sensation as how absolutely unadulterated the Group B series was - when I’ve gone to the IOM TT.