Isle of Man's '80s revival

The Rally Isle of Man will break new ground in September as the first UK rally to offer classes for cars of the 1980s.

The current historic regulations cut off at December 1981, but the event will have classes for category four cars (up to December 1986) and for later cars up to the end of 1991.

For the irst time this will offer competition for period specification cars such as Vauxhall Astras, Peugeot 205s and Ford Sierras, as well as Group B cars that meet current safety regulations.

“It is a toe-in-the-water exercise and it’s exciting to be at the forefront of the next progression,” said organiser Alan Teare.