Tuesday 26th October 2004

Rallycross at Brands

800bhp RS200 to race at the weekend!

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This weekend an explosion of horsepower will rip up mud and tarmac at Brands Hatch. Rallycross is back and the cars are as powerful as ever.

For those not familiar with the sport, the circuit used by the cars is a mixture of track and off road, in this case running across the south bank at Brands Hatch before rejoining the Indy circuit.

With cars producing in excess of 500bhp and the variable surface providing anything but predictable traction, it's one of the most exciting and spectacular forms of motorsport there is.

Easily identifiable cars, stiff competition and plenty of dirt combine to make a real spectacle. This year's grid includes some incredible machinery dressed up in what look like normal road cars.

Cars competing include Ford Focus 4x4 Turbos producing 560bhp, WRC Escorts with 560bhp and reigning champion Pat Doran will field his 840bhp Ford RS200!

Rallycross began back in 1976 and went from strength to strength with some monstrous machinery taking part over the years including RS200s, 6R4s and Audi Quattros. The early nineties saw the series falter due to some internal politics before it was relaunched in 1996.

These days the series is once again growing in popularity amongst spectators seeking spectacular action and huge power. In 2003 the average gate for a meeting was over 5000 people.

This weekend's action at Brands is sure to be a popular meeting with the track proving both challenging to the competitors and providing great viewing for spectators. 110 cars are entered to compete!

Links

• Brands Hatch
• Video at PistonHeads.TV
• www.rallycross.com
• British Rallycross Drivers Association
• www.rallycross-photo.com

 

[rmhodv]

I'll be there. A friend of mine Russell Crampton is entered in the modified and Supermodified class. Should be a good day, well worth going just to see the like of Dermot Carnegie in his super horsepowered Focus and Pat Doran in his 700bhp RS200.

[dinkel]

Pat driving by . . .


Isn't that the 0-60 in 2s RS?

[Cobstar]

My nephew is a Rallycross addict - so guess where my sister will be spending her birthday LOL.

Pleased to see that Will Gollop, who I remember from the days when Rallycross was a regular attraction on TV, is still around. My nephew thinks he's great - good to see the younger generation still have taste.

[wolosp]

"Rallycross began back in 1976.... "
Ermmm, I think it started well before that...IIRC it was back in 1968 that the sport was born as a result of the RAC rally being cancelled due to an outbreak of Foot & Mouth and a shorterned version of special stages was devised (at Brands I believe). This was found to be a perfect format for TV, and by 1976 it was in full swing and on BBC from Lydden very frequently - I know, I was marshalling at every event I could get to.
It may well have been in 1976 that Brands began it's Rallycross Grand Prix events, again fond memories of that mad Norwegian hanging out of his door on his victory lap!

[dinkel]

Stig Blomqvist?

[phumy]

Or was it Martin Schanker?

[dino ferrana]

That sounds fantastic! The cars on the video sound really nutty I think I may have to go along to this!

[wolosp]

phumy said:

Or was it Martin Schanker?

Sorry - not paying attention to the post ! Yup, Martin Schanche had a party trick of driving a lap of honour whilst hanging out of the open door of his car. A brilliant driver - if a tad arrogant...sounds familiar?

[Chris_w]

My Dad is currently working on a minicross car for next year, should be looking to get a few drives in myself!

[v8 racing]

i dont know if any of you rallycross addicts can help me here?? its my dads 60th birthday soon and i am trying to find pics and videos of him from his rallycross days 1975-1985 PETER ROBERTSON he drove a mk1 escort red and yellow and a red and yellow mgb v8, he was very good freinds with barry lee, graham hathaway, the merridale brothers and rob gibson if any one can help me it would be fantastic thanks

[Chris_w]

v8 racing said:

i dont know if any of you rallycross addicts can help me here?? its my dads 60th birthday soon and i am trying to find pics and videos of him from his rallycross days 1975-1985 PETER ROBERTSON he drove a mk1 escort red and yellow and a red and yellow mgb v8, he was very good freinds with barry lee, graham hathaway, the merridale brothers and rob gibson if any one can help me it would be fantastic thanks

Maybe try posting your question up here:

www.rallycross-photo.com/gallery/phpBB2/index.php

www.ten-tenths.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=25&styleid=1&referrerid=18

or at another of the uk rallying forums, might come across a photographer who was covering Rally cross back then.

Good luck,

Chris