1980's - Rally greatest Drivers

[Isimmo]

This is levelled squarely at the 'mud-plugging' rally enthusiasts here...

Who, in your humble opinion, was the most gifted driver in the National, and international championships in the 80's... Read, quattro/Lancia/Cosworth fighting....

Here's my nomination for the National… And before you ‘click’ on the youtube thread and bugger off and put the Kettle on… Concentrate… hard… On the information from the co-driver and the road ahead…. At 7.19, you’ll be knackered… Just watching it…

YouTube - Mark Lovell 1988 Circuit of Ireland Sierra Cosworth Incar

YouTube - Mark Lovell 1988 Circuit of Ireland Sierra Cosworth Incar

The late Mark Lovell only knew how to drive like this… He was, and will always be, a hero in rallying… He and his co-driver Roger Freeman were both killed in July 2003 during the Oregon Trail Rally when their factory ProRally Subaru Impreza WRX left the road and struck a tree at high speed shortly after the start of the first stage.

He was lovingly known as 'loony-Lovell'... And he really was an astonishingly gifted driver who lived, drived, and died, without fear...

[SteveT63]

He was pretty quick indeed. Sad day for me when they were killed.

I had the pleasure of his advice in 1987 in a Sierra at Bruntingthorpe, when I had applied for a position with Ford on their Sierra Cosworth Rally Search programme. John Taylor was in charge on the day and was monumental in the role. Nobody talked, or breathed even, when he was talking, he commanded such respect from everyone, I was in total awe!!!. He walked the course with the ones that had passed the other tests and were chosen for the driving test section. He knew every bump and hollow on the rally circuit and was just inch perfect with his instruction to each of us on exactly where to brake and turn in to each corner to get maximum grip and speed through the corner. "SIDEWAYS ISNT FAST" was his advice. "IF YOU CRASH A WORKS CAR ON AN EVENT, YOU WOULD BE SACKED" put the fear of god im me I can tell you!!.... I got in the car for my shot at the title and as I was sat on the start line about to get the countdown, Mark Lovell opened the passenger door, leaned in and said.."Johns a great bloke you know, but...... "F**K what he just said, just give it some and have a laugh".......Priceless!!...

Im sure Gordon Donaldson got the cigar? He went on to be a Team Manager at Toyota and then a stint at Subaru...and I had a blubber on my way home and caned my panda that night at work!!


Mr Vatanen was King!......Loved his event tactics......Win or Crash!!!...Gwyndaff and David Llwellyn, were the young guns for me on the domestic scene and I loved the battles between Jimmy and Russell in the Mantas.......And then there was Team quattro...nuff said!!

[darreno'd']

Along with Ian Mark Lovell was an absolute star, but, Henri toivanen was a complete nutter and a complete hero. His antics still make me look at sunbeam lotus's and want one. Jean ragnotti was another unsung hero, what he did with that recalcitrant rear engined Renault five was awesome.

Domestically, the most underated driver we had was Dave Metcalf, he used to get those little Nova's in all shapes.

[Booty]

Good thread this one on a nice topic.
Well as most know I am very biased towards my hero David Llewellyn. Why....because it didn't seem to matter what he drove he just drove it quick, unmercilessly quick. He wasn't the neatest of drivers but he could shift and I'm sure the cars always had to catch their breath once the stage was complete. I think towards the heyday of his career he was a little unlucky due to Group B going in 86 and then having to deal with what was left in Audi's closet ( not bad cars though really). So in some ways I feel he was cut slightly short in his prime. If you watch him on the 85 Manx in the A2 he was spectacular and the way he got the car off the line on one stage always gets me putting the telly up to max volume as it's aural nirvana.
Jimmy McRae and Russell Brooks were exceptional drivers in the Mantas, with always inch perfect control wether on Tarmac, gravel or snow. Their rear wheel control was just awesome to watch. Brooksies 85 Circuit of Ireland in-car is just totally awesome it blows your mind it really does and lets not ever forget how significant and special a car the Manta was.
Mark Lovell...wow what a driver, it was a shame that Group B went the way it did as he would of been an awesome RS200 driver had he had the chance and time to develop it. But then again in his RS500 he was exceptional too and it was such a massive shame that team orders were applied on the 88 Manx in favour of Russell Brooks..he deserved every chance of that only to be told to stop.
What about Tony Pond in the TR7 V8? Christ that bastard could go and if you've ever watched the DVD of him doing the TT circuit in the Rover 800 Turbo when he averages 100 mph then you'll know what I'm on about.
For original european, what is now the WRC then Stig would get my vote. Very quick and always very clean and as close to perfection as you'll probably ever see. Mouton for excitement as she just loved bouncing off that rev limiter.
And if you've ever watched the 83 1000 Lakes then you'll know, just by how much quicker he is, which car Mikkola is piloting. Awesome awesome rally. I always had a strange appreciation of Walter as he never really liked coming over to Britain as he was not a fan of our style of rallies, but I would never ever question his skill or commitment as he was probably the greatest 'technical' driver of our time.

To be honest you could go on and on but one thing, I do have the greatest of respect for any of the above drivers and all those we have not mentioned as to be involved in the levels we've mentioned requires super human skill, ability and strength and integrity and a steely determination. Respect.

[john johnson]

i would have said Pond for a home grown nutter

[LYT4X]

Jimmy MacRae was ace and always preferred him over Brooks who was an obnoxious arrogant c**t!!! I recall doing a start line at the Scottish in 1985/6 - my first stint in a position which required more than just standing on a corner and keeping spectators safe - he dispensed his bile to any marshal that wasn't as experienced or proficient as he was, and of course that meant everybody.

Hannu for me is king, though I accept that Stig may have been slightly more capable. I'd have given my eye-teeth to spend an evening in the company of Ms Mouton..... Ari Vatanan was skilful at the start of the decade and Henri Toivennen (RIP) was nuts! At home, Mr Evans the bus driver was always good. David Llewellyn seemed to be more of man for the camera than Gwindaff but I'm not sure if he was any better on a stage.

[gabriel.oconnell]

sorry i agree john johnstone i spent many an hour in the company of tony pond and jimmy mcrae ,both great guys i couls tell you all many storys about the great 80 rally stars as john kerker 21 can tell you we had this chat on the friday night up in chats worth. I first meet tony pond ,back in 1979 when myself and my m8 and bob fowden went up to aberington to pick up 2 sheels and parts and complete rally car a triumph tr7 v8 ex works car OOM 512R , and it went on from there

[Booty]

Sorry.....but for me, for Dave Preece to frog march Llewellyn 2/3 mile across the Chatsworth parkland just to come and say hello to me and sign my car speaks volumes. One of the proudest moments of my life.






Then his mucker too!




Sorry I'll stop now.

[SteveT63]

LOL!!.. I was there but I wish I had have seen that!! Very pursuasive Mr P..He once sold me a quattro jacket that was miles too big for me and I knew it, and I still bought it!!!....

[Booty]

Originally Posted by SteveT63

LOL!!.. I was there but I wish I had have seen that!! Very pursuasive Mr P..He once sold me a quattro jacket that was miles too big for me and I knew it, and I still bought it!!!....

But you would if it had been too small...why......cause it had Audi Sport on the back. Simple!! I still think 2008 was the best so far at Chatty.