David Williams witnessed the first World Championship rally in Asia and predicts a runaway success
The disaster stories are always the best. There ought to be one about Asia. In the World Rally Championship's somewhat chequered 23-year history, there have been some remarkably ill-judged attempts to break new ground, ranging from the long-running farce known as the Ivory Coast Rally, to the ill-...
To casual watchers, November's Lombard RAC Rally probably seemed little changed from the previous year. Apart from a shift of headquarters from Nottingham to Harrogate, and some differences in the actual special stages used, the style was just the same. Indeed, it was as it has been for some years; stately homes and private estates on the Sunday, followed by forest roads on the weekdays. But...
Air power in action
How Justin Maeers and his GN special lifted the Motor Sport Brooklands Trophy
If on your way to a VSCC meeting you’re overtaken in a blast of noise by a spindly pointy-tailed cyclecar going unfeasibly quickly, chances are it has Justin Maeers at the wheel, winner of the 2013 Motor Sport Brooklands Memorial trophy. Maeers has been a GN addict for many years, and his current hit...
Successor to Sébastien Loeb: Anthony Peacock meets a man who isn’t daunted by the toughest job description in rallying
If Kris Meeke didn’t have a future as a professional rally driver with Citroën in front of him, he could make a decent living as a clairvoyant. The 34-year-old has had his fair share of disappointments over the years (incredibly, this will be his first full-time drive at World...
Colin McRae's run of wins came to an end in Malaysia, though he remained in championship contention
For two countries so close together, separated only by the narrow ribbon of water known as the Strait of Malacca, Indonesia and Malaysia have international rallies which are vastly different. True that the terrain and the weather are similar, but the style and efficiency of running are not at all...
June
16: Having passed scrutineering at Le Mans, the Jaguar X122005 are declared illegal after it is observed that they are running without catalysts. After some discussion. TWR appeals and the cars are allowed to run pending the outcome.
16: Shortly after setting what was to be the Le Mans pole time, Philippe Alliot crashes his Peugeot. Although the car is initially declared to be a write-off,...
It is a common belief that the Ford Escort came after the Ford Cortina, but this is a misconception. There was a Ford Escort made in the '50s, a kind of estate car, sister to the Squire and based on the Prefect of the time. It was never rallied by the factory. at least, not that I recall, but it did make many appearances in club events.
But it is the later Escort, the one which at first had...
Now the new Formula One season is properly up and running, the fortnightly rhythm of real racing is gradually overwhelming the political issues that filled so many column inches during the winter.
But the subtexts will still be there: Bernie Ecclestone remains determined to amend the financial structure of Formula One, with or without the participation of traditional City institutions, and...
The international rally season traditionally opens in Monte Carlo. David Williams explains how, this year, it both did and didn't . . .
There is a school of thought that Patrick Bernardini is on to a good thing. In years to come, the theory goes, people will remember only that he won the 1996 Monte Carlo Rally. His name will be on the list of winners for as long as anyone cares that there is such...
June
21: Allan McNish's Paul Stewart Racing-run F3000 Reynard sets the fastest time in the one-day test at Monza.
22: Lola wins the contract to supply the chassis for the F3000 replacement formula in 1996. Which company will provide the engine remains a closely-guarded secret.
23: Japanese driver Hideki Noda is seen with the Pacific team at Silverstone, and is expected to drive for it at the...
