New FIA Championship breathes life into Group B

| 15 Apr 2014

The UK launch of the FIA World Rallycross Championship is to be celebrated in style by laying on a number of races featuring Group B rally legends. The event, which takes place at Lydden Hill on 24-25 May, will also include static displays of the iconic machines.

Though the Group B era ended in 1986 due to several fatal accidents, many of the outlawed machines made their way to the Rallycross circuit, where a more relaxed rulebook still allowed them to compete. Since then, Group B has been an integral part of the sport.

MG Metro 6R4 Group B

Lydden Hill owner and former British Rallycross Champion Pat Doran is expected to lead the celebrations, having rebuilt his Q8-liveried Ford RS200 especially for the event. He will be joined by Nigel Mummery, also in a Ford RS200, Olle Arnesson in an Audi quattro S1, plus Rob and Lawrence Gibson, both campaigning MG Metro 6R4s.

1992 Ford RS200 Group B

Doran told C&SC: "We wanted to mark the arrival of the new World Rallycross Championship at Lydden with something truly special – and we’ve really done that with what’s going to be an astonishing turnout of these fantastic cars.

"Many of today’s rallycross fans will never have seen these epic machines in flat-out action, so for them this is going to be an absolute must-see occasion. In fact, such is the incredible fervour for Group B these days, this compelling ‘blast from the past’ is something no one will want to miss.”

1987 Audi quattro Group B

As well as the racing, visitors will get the chance to see a number of other Group B cars in a static display including several Audi quattros, Ford RS200s, a Lancia 037 and Delta S4, plus a Peugeot 205 T16. A Peugeot 405 T16 driven by Ari Vatenen at Pikes Peak will also make an appearance.

Discounts of up to 20% are available if you book in advance, and accompanied children aged 12 and under will be admitted free of charge.

Click here to buy tickets for the event.