25 Years Of The Manx Rally

by Doug Baird and Gordon Kniveton. 80pp. 113/4 x 81/4. (The Manx Experience Publishers, 10 Tromode Close, Douglas, Isle of Man. £4).

A Private publication, this is the work of two rally enthusiast/writers who felt that something should be done to gather facts, photographs and anecdotes from the 25-year span of the Manx Trophy Rally, from its first year as a club event in 1963 to its present status as a highly-respected international.

The result is amazing value for money which will not fail to enthrall readers, whether or not they themselves recall the era of the early Manx Rallies. Each event to that of 1987 is chronicled, and there are numerous little memory-joggers such as Barry Hughes’ exploits with a yard of ale, the boon of tax-free petrol and the dominance of Allardettes. Foreword is by Tony Pond, prologue by rally founder John Hopwood (who, incidentally, makes excellent chamois gloves which are great for driving and even better for flying), and there is an amusing little piece by John Brown who was clerk of the course in 1964. Baird and Kniveton have produced a splendid booklet which will delight anyone who has an interest in how this fine event went through its humble beginnings, and how it progressed. GP