HISTORY // NEIL TOZER & THE 1977 RAC RALLY

Thinking back tonight with a few beers, I remembered the first Rally my late father took me to which was the RAC Rally in 1977.

The RAC, which dated back to before the war, was a fearsome test of man and machine taking place over five whole days and nights with stages right around the UK. Crews would have to endure a timetable that left little time for sleep and often conditions in the North of England would see ice and snow, especially around the fantastic stages in Kielder.

I was only eleven at the time and I can remember seeing the late great Roger Clark with the glorious sound of his Escort RS1800 BDA ringing around the forests at dawn. This event really puts the modern WRC events to shame, and one wonders how some of todays stars would have coped.

Anyway enough of my ramblings, follow the link for a list of drivers that can be seen in this great footage from the 1977 event... [read more]



Drivers in the video (in order of appearence)
1 - Roger Clark (Ford Escort RS1800)
4 - Pentti Airikkala (Vauxhall Chevette 2300)
5 - Björn Waldegard (Ford Escort RS1800)
7 - Sandro Munari (Lancia Stratos HF)
8 - Hannu Mikkola (Toyota Celica)
9 - Ari Vatanen (Ford Escort RS1800)
29 - Brian Culcheth (Triumph TR7)
23 - Russell Brookes (Ford Escort RS1800)
70 - David Thompson (Ford Escort RS1800)
26 - Andy Dawson (Ford Escort RS1800)
24 - Tony Pond (Triumph TR7)
40 - Graham Elsmore (Ford Escort RS2000)
20 - Kyösti Hämäläinen (Ford Escort RS1800)

Video: Neil Tozer/YouTube
Editorial: Neil Tozer

LUNCH BREAK VIDEO // THE 1982 MONACO GRAND PRIX

There is something missing from todays race commentary. Something fundamental. When I watch vintage racing videos, there is a sense that no one driver is favored, that each is, as they should be, judged not by what they have done, but what they're doing in that particular race. Take this clip from the 1982 Monaco Grand Prix for an example. The commentary is sharp, witty and interesting. It leaves personal opinions at the door and instead offers insight and information on what might otherwise be a rather uneventful race. It reminds me of Bruce Brown and his 1960's surf film The Endless Summer. Both tongue and cheek.

In a sport often ripe with controversy, this clip reminds me of a time when commentary was entertaining, not overly opinionated // [comment]

HISTORY // TAZIO NUVOLARI WINS 1935 PAU GRAND PRIX

In the opening race of the 1935 Formula One season, Italian racing driver Tazio Nuvolari drove his Alfa Romeo Tipo B "P3" to victory on the streets of Pau, France. Follow the link for a look... [read more]



Video courtesy of our good friend Kevin York