Description
Book SynopsisThis is 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.
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Table of ContentsContents 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?
