1988 Brands Hatch British Rallycross Grand Prix

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1988 Brands Hatch British Rallycross Grand Prix

Image kindly provided by BritishRallycross.com

Motoquip sponsored the event for the seventh consecutive year and all the previous winners of the event were there; Rolf Nilsson, Olle Arneson, Martin Schanche, John Welch and last year's victor Mikael Nordstrom. Heading the overseas entrants were Martin Schanche and Olle Arnesson, with numerous European titles between them they were likely to be a formidable challenge against the British entrants. Schanche hit top form in the last few European rounds this year, his RS200E developed into a fire-breathing monster kicking out 750+ bhp and battling his way to second in the European series. He spent most of the year dividing his attentions between European Rallycross and the World Sports-Prototype Championship, which unfortunately was detrimental for rallycross. Arnesson drove in only three European races this year, looking good in Belgium and Holland before stunning the opposition with a great win in Norway. Ollie was in top form coming into the British Rallycross Grand Prix and beat home favourite, Terje Schie, the new Norwegian Champion, on his home ground. A few weeks later he went to Finland and produced a similar performance to defeat Matti Alamaki in front of a huge partisan crowd! Last year's winner, Mikael Nordstrom also returned to Brands, the Swedish RS200E driver having had an up-and-down European season but saved face by topping the list of Swedes. Nordstrom produced a surprise win last year. Pekka Rantanen also brought an RS200E, the young Finn having by far his best year in rallycross, finishing last year's Grand Prix in 6th. Also bringing RS200s to the event were Bengt, one of the more erratic Swedes and Thor Holm, the larger-than-life Norwegian, racing his 'Pike's Peak' styled RS200, in its first outing at Brands Hatch. Third in the European Championship this year and the same place in last year's Motoquip Rallycross Grand Prix, Will Gollop was one of the favourite Brits for honours. Terje Schie was present in his Peugeot 205 T16E2, the Norwegian Champion was looking for at least one international success in an otherwise lean year away from home. Strongest British Entry
Brands Hatch British Rallycross Grand Prix

Image kindly provided by BritishRallycross.com

Since last year, many of the British entrants had moved to four wheel drive, Will Gollop and Mark Rennison, 3rd and 4th respectively in the European Championship this year should prove to be the pace-setters against the overseas opposition. Gollop would be driving his new Silkolene Metro 6R4, while Rennison's DSRM RS200 is less than six months old. Rennison was looking to end his rallycross career on a high as he planned to race in the Touring Car series in 1989. John Welch and John Smith were the remaining entrants of British rallycross in the international scene in 1988. Welch raced an Opel Kadett Turbo 4WD and was looking to put a happy ending to a miserable season. The first season in the Opel Kadett has been difficult, handling issues took a long time to resolve whilst a major engine failure mid-season cost him a lot of time in development. John scraped home 10th in the European Championship, despite not making the 'A' Final all year. Jonathan Palmer (former Tyrrell Formula 1 driver) was present, this time in Martin Schanche's second RS200E, he won the 'B' Final last year. BBC Top Gear celebrity Tiff Needell was racing in Will Gollop's Metro 6R4, which took Will to 2nd in last year's GP at Brands Hatch. The 6R4s were in aplenty, Michael Shield and Steve Palmer have both competed well during the year, whilst Vic Moyce, John Hay, John Fernandes and Rob Gibson all brought their versions on the famous Group B rally cars to Brands. A healthy contingent of British-based Ford RS200S, Rennison being joined by Trevor Hopkins in his new BDT'E' powered version and Gary Baker. If you have any images from this race then please email us at info@classiccarmag.net,.Tags:, , , ,