Outside Race Retro with Jonathan Sharp

The overall mix however was very good with at least 5 Audi Quattros, one of which was a fantastic short wheelbase Sport model. Escorts, a Subaru Legacy, Opel Manta 400s, Sierra Cosworths, Talbot Lotus Sunbeams and a couple of one of my favorites, the Austin Rover Metro 6R4; I have fond memories of these cars because in the late 80s I used to drive one on the road! The company I worked for at the time bought one as a sign written promo vehicle and one of the bosses used to drive it to the office each day, and we certainly knew when he was about to arrive. Every now and again I would grab the keys – we had a lot of fun with the car. Scroll down a bit for more photos of the rally legends.

Ferrari 308GTB Michelotto Evo

One of our favorites at the show was a 308GT Michelotto “Evocation”. We caught up with the owner and found out how he accomplished the task.
Only 11 Ferrari 308 Michelotto Group 4 cars ever produced and all of which still exist. This car, however, started out life in 1977 as a steel car which raced a few times in small events across Europe. Three years ago Lee Jones of GTO Racing (Scarletts Lane, Hare Hatch Berkshire, RG10 9XE) decided to undertake a huge job of converting it to exact Group 4 Michelotto spec.

Lee Jones keeping the Michelotto Evo in the right direction at Race Retro.

Prior to this, Jones had completely restored 2 of the 11 real cars and worked on even more. According to Lee, “Upon the restoration of the cars I drew up every single part on the real Michelotto and made this exact evocation.”

The steel body was removed completely and Lee created a mold of one of the actual cars to make the complete Kevlar body (removable front and rear clips etc.).
Chassis was converted to fully gusseted Michelotto spec and even the suspension, right down to making correct Titanium pedal box and suspension bolts!
Lee was relieved to find a set of true magnesium Michelotto wheels!

The gearbox is a straight cut, dog box with drop gears for ease of changing top speeds easily. The engine has Michelotto cams, titanium con rods, forged pistons, producing 316 bhp at 8500rpm.

A complete and accurate recreation, right down to the suspension bolts.

“The whole restoration process took about 200 man hours and one year of my life. I did my first rally event ever in it at Brands Hatch 4 weeks ago. Great fun but not the easiest thing to have your first ever rally in – I spend more time looking backwards than forwards!”

Another Italian favorite, the Lancia Delta S4, was spectacular, fast and hairy. The car is not ex works but was works-supported and competed in the whole of the 1986 Rally season. The car was supplied by Preparazioni Volta (http://www.voltaracing.com/) and Martin has owned the car for two years. Below that, we present a variety of the other Italian and French cars on the Rally stage. And below that, we don’t forget the best of the rest.

Lancia Delta S4 on the track and often a bit of a handful to drive for Martin Fox.

And not a afraid to get dirty, as a good rally car should.

Strange beast this one…a Lancia Beta with a mid/rear mounted Alfa Romeo V6 power unit, the commentator called it a prototype but I doubt if there is anything factory about it. Nevertheless, it went well.

Beta-Beasty getting around a hairpin, looking like it's set up for Dakar.

Lancia Beta is driven by Mick Covill.

Renault Alpine A110 of Charles Reynolds, Roy Smith's new Alpine book in the passenger seat.

Renault R5 Turbos are always popular at Retro Rallies.

Best of the Rest

One of at least 5 of the Audi Quattros on hand, this one probably driven by Andrew Krinks; the program lists were somewhat confusing.

Opel Manta. This car was specifically built to win tarmac rallies in a bid to secure the 1985 Open Championship. The car is also the lightest works Manta ever built consisting of a lightweight shell, complete with Kevlar doors, bonnet and boot Lids, front wings and spoilers. The drawback to all this weight saving was that the bare shell was very flexible, which resulted in the car being the nickname ‘Bendibus’. That said the car was quick, taking two 1sts and a 2nd in the events in which it competed. The current owner purchased the car in September 2001 and has put the car through a thorough restoration, the quality of which was proven on the 2002 Regency Stages Rally where the car came home 11th Overall and 1st in class. Russell Brooks is probably at the wheel.

Sierra Cosworth is another famous Heat for Hire car and ex-Russell Brooks.

Opel Kadette getting a bit sideways.

Mini Lambo, the Lotus Esprit V8 driven by Terry Maynard.

The Subaru is a Legacy, ex-Colin McCrae Group A car driven by Dai Llewellin and Ian Gwynne. In Colin's hands this car finished 2nd on the 1992 Swedish Rally.

Race Retro's Metro, one of several. Here is Andrew Cooper's.

MK2 Escort of Dave Archer.

Vauxhall Chevette of Stuart Anderson.