Group B to star at the Donington Historic

Rallying with Group B and the Historic Rally Car Register (HRCR) will be giving demonstrations on the Melbourne Loop at the Donington Historic Festival (3-5 May). 

Donington Park used to be an RAC Rally stage and, Group B cars are still considered a historic highlight. Introduced in 1982, Group B regulations resulted in the Audi quattro, MG Metro 6R4, Ford RS200, Lancia 037, and Peugeot 205 T16. Lightweight composite panels, four-wheel drive systems, complex turbo and supercharging combined to produce cars which, with in excess of 600bhp at their command, could out-accelerate Formula 1 cars of the period - on gravel.

However, in 1987, following a number of high-profile accidents and prominent driver deaths, Group B was banned, with enthusiasts’ only chance to see the cars in action restricted to demonstration events. 2014 marks the 30th anniversary of the 6R4, and Group B is staging a special display of these iconic rally machines at the Festival.

At the 2014 Donington Historic Festival, the HRCR will run a series of auto-tests on the Melbourne Loop and will field a guest driver who worked with the Rootes Group Competitions Department during the period when the Sunbeam Tiger was the model of choice for many international events. Together with Sunbeam Tigers, a full range of classic rally cars will be put through their paces, including Mini Coopers, Austin-Healeys and Ford Escorts.

And, of course, with the Festival’s open paddock, spectators will be able to get a really good look at all the rally cars as well as the more than 400 historic racing cars, spanning seven decades, which are due to compete at the event.