Full Description
Now in paperback, the complete history of British international rally events, starting with the very first RAC rally of 1932, which included 1000 miles of road motoring, when a mere three driving tests were needed to produce a result. By 1951 an international permit had been achieved, a speed element was included, and the 'Rally of the Tests' ran until 1960. From 1961, the event took on a number of high-speed, loose-surfaced Special Stages, the Scandinavian influence became clear, and the event took on a World Championship qualification in 1973. In that time, competing cars had progressed from having perhaps 50bhp to at least 300bhp, and even more high-tech machines with 500bhp and four-wheel-drive would follow.
By then the RAC Rally was - and remains in its present form as Wales Rally GB - one of the three most important rallies in the world. Every 'works' team makes sure that it is represented, and it has a very important image throughout the world. Major sponsors embraced the event from the 1960s - first The Sun and Daily Mirror, then Lombard, and Network Q, and finally the Welsh government - which in recent years has become a very high-profile showcase for the world's most exciting cars. Few other British International events have such a long and distinguished record. The 75th running of this event takes place in 2019.
With year-by-year accounts of all events in the Rally's history, copiously illustrated with period photographs, and covering the various challenges posed by such crises as foot and mouth disease, weather conditions and controversy over rules and regulations, this book is the definitive guide.
Contents
Contents
Foreword
Introduction
Table of winners- 1932 to 2018
Where it all Began
Chapter 1 : 1932 - 1939. Driving Tests and Concours
Overview - leisure motoring, gentle rallying
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
Chapter 2 : 1951 - 1959. An International 'Rally of the Tests'
Overview
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
Chapter 3 : 1960 - 1971. Special Stages and Scandinavians
Overview
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Chapter 4 : 1972 - 1980. The Escort Era
Overview
1972
1973
Sidebar :13in. or 15in. wheels
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
Sidebar : Dealer Team Ford in 1978
1979
1980
Chapter 5 1981 - 1986 ; Turbocharging, four-wheel-drive and Group B
Overview
1981
1982
1983
sidebar/feature : Riding with Ragnotti
1984
1985
1986
Chapter 6 1987 - 1996 : The Group A era
Overview
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
sidebar/feature : Colin McRae
Chapter 7 1997 - 2002 : World Rally Cars, the first Generation
Overview
1997
1998
sidebar/feature; David Lapworth on World Rally Cars
1999
2000
2001
2002
Chapter 8 2003 -2012 : A new Home, in Wales
Overview
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Chapter 9 2013 - 2018 : Deeside, and Closed Public Roads
Overview
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Afterthoughts : What future for British rallying?
