Group B Rallying on BBC 4 now. 2100-2200 01 Apr

[Neil]

I`m old enough and lucky enough to have seen Group B in action on the stages.

Those were the days as they say  

[Phil Miller]

Best thing ive seen on TV in a long time, glad i hit the record button on the sky buttons, will defo watch that again

Theres some great footage on youtube inc some great driving by Ari

[monte]

I saw this thread and thought Nice one Dave 

Then I saw the time and thought the same as Ian 

Then I saw Naths post..... And thought Nice one Nath   

[QD MBE]

Was lucky enough to see Grp B's in action several times.   I have watched F1, Le Mans 24hrs (Bikes and cars) World SuperBikes, IOM TT, BTCC, German Touring cars, Irish Road races (NW 200, Tandragee 100) and the GRP B was the best.

It had action, danger, suspense...........High Octane thrills a plenty, often just a few feet away.  Something about a Welsh Forest at 2am, waiting for Vartenan, Rorhl, Mouton  etc.  Pity it didn't last.

I remember the Henri Toivonen accident, I also remember Tony Pond Crashing his Rover Vistesse in Knowsley Safari Park (on the 1st Stage of the RAC 1984.  Perks of living near Chester.  Also met Murray Walker driving a new Rover 216..........

[monte]

No wonder he crashed on that bend!!! The sun was blinding 

[MC71]

Good find this fella! Became a big fan of WRC during the Group B years. 

Watched this last night and at some points I was holding my breath with pure excitement and also with fear and absolute shock for those poor spectators and drivers who died. The safety (or lack of) in those days was worse than a joke. Being a kid in the mid 80's my bedroom walls were covered with posters of Lamborghini's, Ferrari etc etc and in pride of place was the Audi Quattro S1. 

Great TV programme that. Interesting, exciting, sad and thought provoking. Shows how quickly the manufacturers will improve/evolve (or were allowed to evolve by the FIA and in particular that French t**t, Jean-Marie Balestre) their cars without strict rules or regulations in place.
  ........and THAT Lancia Delta S4!! Drivers sitting on the fuel tank, BONKERS 

Cheers, Martin

[monte]

Gonna watch it tonight....sounds good 

[Thor]

Caught this last night, excellent comments from the drivers of the day, some of the footage was incredible.  I was fortunate enough to have seen these monsters at full chat in the Yorkshire forests   .  

On the safety front, very sad that spectators and drivers died in the group b era, but then again if you don't need to be Einstein at physics to know that the outside of the bend is where the car will end up if the driver looses it.  The argument  that it was a result of the cars being too powerful doesn't stand fully as unfortunately drivers have accidents they don't walk away from today.  150mph in a forest is the same regardless of how quick it gets to 150mph.  As least the safety requirements have improved for drivers and spectators alike.  what an era.  

One of my favourite videos on YouTube

 

[MC71]

^    on that find fella!

Brilliant, just brilliant. Pikes Peak is just unbelievable, seen a few of these but this one you posted is by far the best and certainly gives you an idea of the speed, and that DROP.

Love the way that the driver uses he hand as a visor (as he cannot see a bloody thing) while turning a corner on full opposit lock at probably 100mph, inches from a 1000ft drop, gonads of pure titanium! 

[JJ]

This is just about to be repeated on BBC Four 

[Hedge]

I watched this today. Gulp. The Toivonen incident where they burned to death was very chilling and all because the S4 put the tanks under the driver and co-driver.

They were monsters that did live on in Rallycross for a bit but it is sad to see them go.   

[Bernhard30]

Seem to remember reading the Delta S4 had lots of magnesium parts in it. When it caught fire it went up like firecracker. Combine that with the petrol tank...

I think given the spaceframe nature of the Peugeot 205 T16, the Lancia 037 and subsequently the S4, the fact that Audi still 'competed', by making the Sport and later the S1 bewinged monster, water cooled brakes and all, was pretty mega, given the engine position it had.

When I think of Group B - the Rohrl/S1 combo comes to mind first for me.

Still remember the headline in Autosport after he won San Remo in '85, beating the Pugs.
It was headed: "The Empire Strikes Back".

[Nodz]

Just got round to watching this and found it really interesting. I grew up watching the likes of Tommi Mäkinen and Colin Mcrae, so I knew of the cars but not the back stories apart from the RS200. Can't believe what they used to get away with back then, found it to be a very good and frank insight into it all

[MJR]

I can't find this on I-Player?
All I find on factual/motoring is Top Gear episodes.
What's the proper name of the programme?

Really want to see it.

[Nodz]

I can't find this on I-Player?
All I find on factual/motoring is Top Gear episodes.
What's the proper name of the programme?

Really want to see it.

its called: BBC Four - Madness on Wheels: Rallying's Craziest Years
1 day left to watch it on iplayer

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01fcncc