It’s exactly 30 years since Ari Vatanen won the UK stage of the World Rally Championship in the crazy days of Group B racing.
This November Ari will be back in the UK for the Wales Rally GB (13th-16th November) but alas not behind the wheel of a Peugeot 205 T16, or indeed in his beloved Escort RS1800.
He’ll be in attendance to pick up a new annual honour -starting this year- that of ‘Rally Legend’, and we couldn’t think of a better candidate.
His spectacular and fearless driving style won him a large and lasting fan base in Britain and bagged him the 1976 Championship.
On the flip side it nearly cost him his life the following season in a crash which was also the start of the end for Group B rallying.
Watch this space for a more in depth investigation into the startling success of Finnish drivers. In a couple of months we’ll be looking to solve the riddle when we ask…
‘What is that Finnish thing?’
CLICK TO ENLARGE
"Cars change. It’s a simple statement, and an observable one. At the same time, it could be argued they don’t. The steering, the exhaust note, the grip of the tyres to the road – though these may technically vary "
"Scotland’s unique landscapes provide some incredible backdrops for bike photography, with many of its most iconic locations accessible in a single day Whether you’re born and bred in Scotland or visiting it for the first time, it’s "
"Queen B: Normalisation. Becky Evans is at the forefront of a new digitally inspired generation of women redefining what it means to love driving. The Influencers The Women's motorcycle exhibition Gallery Images: Mike Fordham It's a rare break "
