Group B MG Metro 6R4 History

[KA]

Originally Posted by Gloves

From memory this event was shown live on Grandstand, as a result you can see the early transmitting equipment on the roof for in-car footage. I seem to remember Tiff did a live running commentary of a race. Steve Ryder did do some demo laps in the passenger seat and I also have some pictures of this.
Any in-car stuff in those days was rare and the Metro was certainly a mighty machine. This came across well on the TV.
Will kept rolling tyres off the rim that day as can be seen the second picture.

Brilliant! IIRC, rolling tyres off the rim was a common problem for some of the Group B cars in rallycross

I guess we can assume that Tiff drove the second-string/spare/older Gollop 6R4- so is that possibly the car later sold to Tom Bissett?

Anyone able to say how many Metros Will had over the years he ran them? (late '86 until he moved on to the Peugeot 309 4x4 when the ERC regs changed outlawing the Group B cars in '93)

[phoenix]

Originally Posted by KA

Going slightly off-topic, wasn't John rallying something very unlikely and Italian before the 6R4- De Tomaso Pantera or something like that...?

Yes, he was... nutter!

[MG Rover Sport]

Originally Posted by KA

Some pics might follow later, if I can persuade my temperamental scanner to behave itself.....

Yes please KA - I can hardly contain myself!

Originally Posted by SAMD

Was Cyril Bolton not a mini driver extraordinaire? When I used to consume CCC in large quantities I think he was mentioned a lot.

It was indeed the same person 'SAMD', in fact Cyril's car was also used by Mini Sport (of Padiham I think?) in one of their magazine adverts for quite some time.

Originally Posted by Gloves

From memory this event was shown live on Grandstand, as a result you can see the early transmitting equipment on the roof for in-car footage. I seem to remember Tiff did a live running commentary of a race. Steve Ryder did do some demo laps in the passenger seat and I also have some pictures of this.
Any in-car stuff in those days was rare and the Metro was certainly a mighty machine. This came across well on the TV.
Will kept rolling tyres off the rim that day as can be seen the second picture.

Some more excellent photos 'Gloves' - most appreciated.

And yes you are quite correct, the event was the Motaquip British Rallycross Grand Prix at Brands Hatch. The year Tiff used Will's spare car was in 1988, finishing 4th in the B Final.

It was a cracking event and I managed to get media passes for about 3 or 4 years in the late 1980s / early 1990s. Four of us hired a motorhome for the weekend and al chipped in for the cost, petrol from Derbyshire, food and most importantly beer!

One year I managed to drive into the circuit in the 30-odd foot long motorhome on the Friday evening, through the tunnel under Paddock Hill Bend and park up in the pits right next to the fence at the back of the paddock. We had a perfect vantage point for the Knifedge, Hoppy's Drop, and Cooper Straight was literally just below us - that was the section of the race track that they ran the wrong way before cutting up through the access road at the end of the pits! And there the motorhome stayed till Monday morning...

[MG Rover Sport]

Talk of John McKerrell has reminded me of the fact that this larger than life character is sadly no longer with us, having passed away on 30 June 2006. This is fitting tribute was penned by his friend and co-driver Peter Keel...

John McKerrell

24.8.1940 – 30.06.2006

John McKerrell’s death of at the end of June has left the UK rallying fraternity without one of the more colourful characters of our sport. John started rallying in the late 60s and competed in the Motoring News Championship most notably with Mick Briant in a Ford Escort RS and he won the navigator’s award outright in 1974 and played an important part in Mick’s 1975 championship win. Mick Briant recalls that he was an outstanding navigator, feared and admired in equal measure by the Welsh fraternity. Mick was able to secure the championship in a highly-underpowered car courtesy of John’s sheer brilliance at reading the maps with supreme accuracy – even in severe fog. Mick was even accused of cheating by fellow competitors but openly admits that it was John’s skills that allowed him to drive on the edge at all times, regardless of weather and terrain. John also co-drove Brian Addison in 1971 RAC Rally in a standard production Volkswagen Beetle to a notable finish of 104 out of 250 starters.

Having built up a successful Traffic Signals operations company in the mid 1980s, John decided to try out his driving skills. He quickly gained recognition for his exploits in a Maserati.

I first met John in 1986 when he campaigned a De Tomaso Pantera at single venue events but persistent mechanical problems often robbed him of a good result. We became close friends during 1987 when at the beginning of the season I got a phone call from John saying he would like to buy my entry for an event at Avon Park. I was driving a Mini Cooper S at the time and had entered this event as the first of the season and the entry had filled up quite quickly. He explained that he had just bought Ian Donaldson’s Metro 6R4 and wanted to do a rally in it as soon as possible and would I co-drive for him. One nana second later and the deal was done. A second overall first time out was an excellent result. We went back to that venue in October of that year to take a first overall.

The following year John became more involved with sponsorship. As a member of Hampton and District Motor Club, he sponsored club events and co-sponsored the HDMC Connells-Keyearl Rally Championship.

The Metro 6R4 was a familiar car on the southern rally scene which got the reputation of one of the most rallied Group B cars by the mid 90s.

I will always remember John for his generosity and hospitality to friends. His generosity even extended to lending his car to others, even his employees. All of these people have said that they consider themselves extremely lucky to have met John. His wisdom on many knowledgeable topics including the MSA rules and regulations were also to be admired. Sadly however in 1993 he suffered a blackout in the paddock during an event at Watton and consequently was unable to drive for a year or so whilst medical examinations were carried out. In the meantime he asked me to drive his car on the Wallasey Promenade Stages in order to allow his then regular co-driver Steve Burtenshaw to score championship points. I duly repaid him with a 2nd overall to Clive Faine in a similar car. Later that year happily John had recovered sufficiently to co-drive in the 6R4 at Bovingdon; again we were rewarded with a second overall.

John had a reputation for smoking and drinking which was often the talk of the service areas. However he was the only man I knew who could have a heavy session into the small hours but wake up as bright as a button the next day, ready and able to go. His favourite tipple was a scotch and coke now known as a “McKerrell”. But of course during an event it was only Coca Cola he was drinking! I did manage to upstage him at Avon Park when he was navigating for me in my Darrian. We rigged up an old plastic Teachers bottle (filled with cold tea of course) with a feed tube to the passenger seat and presented it at scrutineering. When asked by the scrutineeer what is was I said it was a co-driver aid. Ah, they said, John McKerrell’s co-driving for you then - no problem!

There are probably more anecdotes about John and his crew during these days than I can remember but the main memory is of his razor sharp analytical skills to maximize advantage out of any imprecise regulations in order to save a result yet at the same time always enjoy the whole experience of rallying whatever the result. We once trailed all the way down to Pembrey only to find that the car had slipped its cam belt timing whilst on the trailer. By the time we worked out what the problem was it was too late to start; however the day was still enjoyed with help and assistance given to other competitors whilst quaffing a few drinks in the van.

His other interest was the use of the English language and the derivation of words and he could always stand his ground in any debate.

John’s driving career finally ceased in 1996 but he still managed to co-drive. He was quickly called upon by Mick Briant to coach his son Ben’s entry into national and international rallying due to his highly disciplined and professional approach to co-driving. He suffered no nonsense. He also teamed up with old friend Russell Hale over the Monteberg and Longcross stages. However in 2004 John underwent a triple heart by-pass and a diagnosis of lung cancer a few months later curtailed many of his rallying activities. Yet true to form he was out in February this year at Goodwood. He re-teamed with old friend Sarah Johnson. Realising that John was still struggling with his health, Sarah wanted to thank John for lending her his Metro during the 90’s. She thanked him in the only way possible – by going rallying together. Apparently he hadn’t lost his touch and they finished a creditable 2nd in class and the pair had planned another outing later this year.

For the last six years he was busy with his new career working at West Sussex County Council as a traffic officer and with his many years of traffic signal experience, he made a significant impact with his colleagues and was instrumental in many of the revised road systems in the East Grinstead area. Once again John’s inimitable character and openness won him many friends. When the time came to lay John to rest there wasn’t a dry eye in the packed chapel. I will miss his wit, kindness, generosity and the ability to enjoy life to the full and I will certainly drink a “McKerrell” or two in his memory. Looking to the future, John’s old crew are talking of writing a diary of their exploits as it is clear that many wish to keep the memories alive and share those with others. The account is apparently tentatively entitled: ‘McFish – Tall Tales, Warts and All. I am reliably informed that this will be a strictly honest account, no exaggerations.

Our thoughts go to his wife Carol, sister Sheena and his two daughters Christa and Natasha by a previous marriage.

Peter Keel

[MG Rover Sport]

RIP John McKerrell - a sad loss.

Originally Posted by KA

I guess we can assume that Tiff drove the second-string/spare/older Gollop 6R4- so is that possibly the car later sold to Tom Bissett?

Anyone able to say how many Metros Will had over the years he ran them? (late '86 until he moved on to the Peugeot 309 4x4 when the ERC regs changed outlawing the Group B cars in '93)

Will actually used three different cars over the years KA.

His first car was used right up until late 1988, and was also used by Tiff at the 1988 Rallycross GP before being sold to Tom Bissett.

His second car was used from late 1988 (inc the 1988 Rallycross GP) and all the way through 1989 - still in 3 litre format. It was modified to 2.3 litre bi-turbo for 1990, but was crashed heavily when Will crashed into a grass bank, before being collected by Gary Baker's RS200 at Lydden Hill in September 1991. The damaged bodyshell was sold on...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FvL3...eature=related

His third car was used from late 1991, and debuted at that years Rallycross GP, before going on to win the 1992 European Rallycross Championship in this car - the last year that they allowed Group B cars to compete! This car is now the red car being hillclimbed by Ken Sims.

[MG Rover Sport]

I think you'll all agree that rallycross was awesome in the Group B heydays of the late 1980s and early 1990s, and there was no event better than the Rallycross GP. Here's a few youtube videos with a 6R4 bias -

1986 Grand Prix...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUpEr...eature=related

1987 Grand Prix...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-rjO...eature=related

1988 Grand Prix...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAq10...eature=related

1990 Grand Prix...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1ZyD8mar-Y

1991 Grand Prix...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Djdk...eature=related

1992 Grand Prix...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcroVXtFVfA&NR=1

...and how many years did punctures or tyre related issues cause problems for Will Gollop?

[KA]

Originally Posted by MG Rover Sport

RIP John McKerrell - a sad loss.

Will actually used three different cars over the years KA.

His first car was used right up until late 1988, and was also used by Tiff at the 1988 Rallycross GP before being sold to Tom Bissett.

His second car was used from late 1988 (inc the 1988 Rallycross GP) and all the way through 1989 - still in 3 litre format. It was modified to 2.3 litre bi-turbo for 1990, but was crashed heavily when Will crashed into a grass bank, before being collected by Gary Baker's RS200 at Lydden Hill in September 1991. The damaged bodyshell was sold on...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FvL3...eature=related

His third car was used from late 1991, and debuted at that years Rallycross GP, before going on to win the 1992 European Rallycross Championship in this car - the last year that they allowed Group B cars to compete! This car is now the red car being hillclimbed by Ken Sims.

Thanks for that- I remember the Lydden shunt; I went to all of the Lydden ERC rounds between 1989 and about 1993, (and probably the majority of Lydden and Brands rallycross meetings from '89 until the late 90's) so I ought to have pics of the incident somewhere but can't find them at the moment.

[KA]

OK, some more pics. I don't have much in the way of 6R4 rally pics, but plenty of rallycross
We've already had quite a few pics of Will Gollop's car, so I won't post any more of that for now- I'll concentrate instead on some of the cars we haven't seen so much of in the thread- plus a couple of mysteries....

First off, Steve Palmer. Think I posted a link earlier to a pic of Palmer's 6R4 in the original blue/white Practica Computers colours. These were replaced by a more extrovert blue/pink/yellow scheme.



After the loss of the Practica sponsorship, Palmer often ran without sponsorship, with the car in a blue/white/green paintjob. He sometimes had sponsorship from 'Dianetics'- quite a lot of UK rallycross drivers appeared with Dianetics decals on their cars at various events, mostly one-off deals for individual meetings I think.



From the Brands Rallycross GP in '91 I think, Palmer had sponsorship from Panasonic Batteries- the 6R4 appearing in a distinctive yellow/black scheme- and no, I don't know why he's heading in a totally different direction to everyone else in the pic- it probably explains why the pic was out of focus though- a case of point and shoot as something unexpected happens...



The fourth pic shows a 6R4 in 'Car Glass' colours- I think this might be Palmer again- I seem to recall him running in Car Glass colours (a car leased from the Belgian outfit?) at a few events?

[KA]

A couple of shots of Denis Biggerstaff's cars- an early (1990-ish) blue & white paintjob, and a later version

The red & white 'Total/Team P.R. Reilly' car is Dermot Carnegie

Finally, another Irish competitor- John Moloney. His 6R4s appeared in a variety of colours over the years- black, red, and this lime green

[KA]

The blue 6R4 at Lydden is Mark Flaherty's 'Hallmarks' car. The red & yellow 6R4 behind is Richard Hutton I think- Dianetics sponsorship in evidence again on both cars

The plain yellow car, again at Lydden is Mike Turpin

Another yellow car, seen chasing Pat Doran's RS200 at Brands is the unmistakeable Rob Gibson. Interesting to note that Gibson's car uses a non-standard rear wing- both the wing and endplates are bigger than usual...and yet more Dianetics stickers!

[KA]

A couple of European cars- the red one is Hans te Pas, at a Brands Rallycross GP.

The other, at a Lydden ERC round is Bengt Wiklund's Biturbo. The green red & yellow car in the background is UK-based Scandinavian Morten Andersen

[KA]

Finally for now, a couple of puzzles...

First, the 4x4 Beetle of the late Peter Harrold, and an unknown red & white 6R4 at an early 90's Lydden rallycross meeting.
I think this is the only pic I've got of this one, so may be the only time I saw it. Looking at the original, there's a driver's name visible on the car, which looks like Jon Westcott- doesn't ring any bells with me though

Secondly, a rally pic- the only one I can find right now, though I should have a few more somewhere. I know where and when (Kings Wood near Ashford, 1991 Kent Forestry Stages) but have no idea who- any ideas?

[MG Rover Sport]

Good morning all!

Many thanks for stopping up late scanning and uploading KA, it is very much appreciated.

I'll come back with some thoughts later, but for the moment there seems to be some Steve Palmer images missing from your post #158?

[Gloves]

Originally Posted by MG Rover Sport

6R4 No 176 was sold by Austin Rover to Russel Hale in January 1987 as a bare bodyshell, and un-used for four years. It was then built up into Russel Hale's second rallycar in late 1991 with the mechanics, VIN No XXX and Reg No D111 BEG from his first rallycar as that was getting a bit tired!

The work was carried out by TRX Motorsport in late 1991, and the new car debuted on the 1992 Natwest Midwinter Stages Rally at Snetterton on 26 January. I do not have any reference to hand at the moment regarding how long the Hales continued to use it competitively, but I can find out if it is of interest?

D111 BEG was then sold to Steve Fleck in November 1995 and rallied by him on the 1995 Peter Lloyd Rallying Stages and 1995 Cadwell Park Stages - possibly others too, which I can dig into if of interest? Steve Winter was next to acquire it in March 1996 and he rallied it for the year. Steve debuted it on the 1996 Porlock Hillclimb on 30 June – emerging with fastest time of the day (FTD)! Steve then contested the 1996 Quinton Stages, Tempest Stages, Woodpecker Stages and Cambrian Rally - ditto comment re events contested.

Carl Broad bought it in January 1997 - likewise. Which then brings it pretty much up to date with the next owner being Max Wakefield (as you stated) and then yourself Mike. Any more recent history, with either Max or yourself would be very much appreciated, as I seem to have a lack of information from that period.

The car changed Reg No to A20 ROV when either Carl or Max had it, and the original Reg No D111 BEG is now on Roger Binyon's blue DAM 4100 long wheelbase spaceframe rally car - although I am not sure if the original VIN No is on that car as well?

D111BEG in different colour schemes at Snetterton stage rallies from way back. Not sure of the years (early ninties?)

[MG Rover Sport]

Originally Posted by Gloves

D111BEG in different colour schemes at Snetterton stage rallies from way back. Not sure of the years (early ninties?)

And just compare this photo with the blue / yellow car that KA was trying to identify in his post #162 - it's the same car driven by Russell and Donald Hale and sponsored by Ware Garages...

[KA]

Originally Posted by MG Rover Sport

Good morning all!

Many thanks for stopping up late scanning and uploading KA, it is very much appreciated.

I'll come back with some thoughts later, but for the moment there seems to be some Steve Palmer images missing from your post #158?

Hi David- No, they're not working for me either. I'm not sure what's happened to those, but I had a problem uploading them- Odd thing is, they were working first thing this morning on a different PC....

I'll repost the Palmer stuff later and fix the images

[KA]

Originally Posted by MG Rover Sport

And just compare this photo with the blue / yellow car that KA was trying to identify in his post #162 - it's the same car driven by Russell and Donald Hale and sponsored by Ware Garages...

That was easily identified then...

I don't have many 6R4 rally pics- I used to spectate on the Kent Forestry Stages/Rally of Kent fairly regularly, but I think that's the only time I saw a 6R4 on that event...

[andy97]

Originally Posted by MG Rover Sport

It certainly looks very much like it might be Will's debuit in the car. Many thanks for sharing those with us, as it looks stunning in plain white me thinks! I suppose in these very early days Will's car was pretty much exactly to works International specification regarding engine, transmission, bodywork etc.

Another point. If anyone out there in ten-tenths world feels that they like to contribute to this topic, but don't actually know anything about individual cars, who sold what to who, when a car was debuted, etc, then don't worry about it - we can't all be sad anoraks!

I am positive you all have some fantastic 6R4 photos that you've taken over the years - as Gloves has above! - so why not contribute by posting some of them so that we can all appreciate them?

WE WANT YOUR PHOTOS!

Not sure that I an dig any photos out now, not even sure I know which part of the loft they are buried in but i do remember nearly being run over by a 6R4 at longleat c 1988 (and I thought I was well, well out of the way!) and in the same event Robin Herd (of March raing cars fame) had a Leyton House liveried 6R4.

[RGM]

Originally Posted by andy97

Not sure that I an dig any photos out now, not even sure I know which part of the loft they are buried in but i do remember nearly being run over by a 6R4 at longleat c 1988 (and I thought I was well, well out of the way!) and in the same event Robin Herd (of March raing cars fame) had a Leyton House liveried 6R4.

Didn't Robin Herd also run a mk2 escort with a totally bonkers rear wing.... developed in a wind tunnel and probably cost more than his competitors cars!

Very sad that John McKerrel is no longer with us... always a lovely bloke.

I remember bumping into him in the hotel bar in Devises (?) night before the Imber Stages, his clutch had started slipping on the way back from scrutineering, so he and his co-driver had decided to throw in the towel and concentrate on drinking instead. I offered to drive the car to my workshops and fit a new clutch... which we did, and he did the event the following day. He was incredibly grateful for our help.
Which in true form he repayed several years later on a rally in ireland (west cork 1992?).
I was there running Liam McCarthy in Sam Nelsons metro, (A264AAM) John had scared himself silly (his words) in the tight lanes and retired, Liam McCarthy had managed to blow the rear diff on Nelsons metro while he was doing rather well in the event and we had no spare with us, when I saw John McKerrels car on the trailer I stopped and asked if we could borrow his diff, in exchange he would get it rebuilt and refitted the following week. He agreed, and as we set to work pulling his diff out, he sat on the tailgate of his car (range rover?) sipping a beverage and enjoying the spectacle.... he was rather surprised when we had the diff out in about 10 minutes...
Fitted it to E264AAM (Nelson/McCarthys) car and he finished the event.

As promised, a week later I travelled up to Johns house, and fitted the diff out on his driveway.... didn't take long... and then sat around with him, he was still in his dressing gown drinking Whisky.... (grants I think it was).

What a totally great charactar he was..... as I remember him, the Hugh Heffner of British Rallying....

RIP John.

Mike.

[phoenix]

Originally Posted by RGM

Didn't Robin Herd also run a mk2 escort with a totally bonkers rear wing.... developed in a wind tunnel and probably cost more than his competitors cars!

Powered by a Hart 420R - so the car, with the wing, was worth 2, 3, 4 times as much as any other car competing!

It did sound nice, though..

[Gloves]

Originally Posted by KA

Ian Donaldson (Wey Valley Cars/A-Z Technology) B391LPC- Another tarmac specialist, seen on national tarmac events at home, and some European (Belgian?) events.
http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimag...37-17_0054.jpg

This one is from Brands Hatch.. not sure if its a race meeting or a sprint, or if indeed the same driver. Certainly early ninties.

Same car at Snetterton

[MG Rover Sport]

I can't see the photos Gloves - KA had problems last night as well?

Connected or a sheer fluke?

[Gloves]

Coming up ok on my screen! anyone else not able to see them?

[MGDavid]

OK here with Firefox 3.5.8...

[MG Rover Sport]

Sorry about that Gloves, it was my mistake totally! I was using a pay-as-you-go dongle, and for some reason it seems to block images from posts! All ticketty boo here on Firefox 6 thank you!