Rallycross in 70s Italy: Time For Tea?

Vallelunga welcomes rallycross for the first time...

The late 1960s might not hold many fond memories for some Italians, what with the start of the 'Anni di piombo' bringing nationwide strikes and the Piazza Fontana bombing that rocked both Milan and Rome. However, in the world of motorsport, an exciting new breed of competition was ready to flourish. Rallycross, that blissful mixture of tarmac, gravel, grass sections had arrived; bolted onto a rather more sedate Formula Ford event by some unnamed genius.

Rally drivers including Hannu Mikkola and Roger Clark joined a group of Italian journalists (with, of course, no rallycross experience) in Cortinas, 4x4 Capris, and Escorts making up a whacky races style grid for one of the first rallycross stints outside the UK.

The video includes Formula Ford racing and a children's race not dissimilar to the Settrington Cup held at Goodwood Revival, but if you want to get straight into rallycross skip to 4:16 and some unexpectedly glorious slow-motion four-wheel action awaits you. Sit back, sip on the cuppa and enjoy the yumping.