Group B is still remembered as the most exciting era in world rallying. It may not have lasted long, but those crazy cars made an indelible impression on the minds of many motor sport enthusiasts.
Oddly enough, when reading this new book you actually discover that Group B was originally introduced to calm international rallying down, and to put an end to madcap specials such as the Lancia Stratos. As usual, the egg-heads got it wrong! In the end, Group B was scrapped after a series of well-publicised accidents that cost the lives of spectators as well as competitors. However, Reinhard Klein — whose photographs grace this book — reckons that Group B was killed off by Formula 1 organisers, who believed that Group B rallying was becoming more popular than F1. Those accidents, says Klein, were merely used as an excuse to scrap the category.
Whatever really happened, there is no doubt this new book should be welcomed by all rally enthusiasts — and even less doubt that Davenport is the right man to write up the enthralling story; he was right in the thick of the action as BL’s competitions manager, and was one of the men behind the thunderous MG Metro 6R4. Impeccable credentials.
Davenport analyses Group B’s genesis and then delivers a chapter on each of the Group B cars. All the well-known cars are here — Metro 6R4, Lancia Rally 037 and Delta S4, Peugeot 205 T16, Ford RS200, Renault 5 Turbo and, of course, the Audi quattro. Just as interesting, there are also chapters on some of the Group B cars you may have forgotten; such the Opel Ascona and Manta, Mazda RX-7, Nissan 240RS, and Escort 1700T.
Davenport knew all the people behind the scenes, so his coverage of the cars and the rallying is well detailed — and he pulls no punches, even when discussing Group B’s final, tragic season and its aftermath. Presented in English and German, this book is enhanced by many never before seen photographs from renowned rally photographer, Klein. This large format book, although rather pricey, is a must-have for serious Group B enthusiasts.
Group B: The Rise and Fall of Rallying’s Wildest Cars by John Davenport and Reinhard Klein
Review book supplied by Techbooks
Review by Allan Walton
