Motorsport has always featured some fairly creative interpretation of rules and regulations by competitors in order to establish an edge. Disciplines that venture beyond the beaten path, however, have always done it bigger, weirder, faster and madder. At FOS this year we have a spectacular selection of off-roading machinery. Here are our five picks to make a beeline for…
JUN 23rd 2017
Five FOS Rally Stage weapons you need to see!
Citroen 2CV BiBip 2 Dakar
Ah, the 2CV. You either love them or hate them. Always the subject of taunts and banter for those of a more quirky taste in the GRR office, but this particular 2CV deserves universal acclaim. It partook in 2007’s running of the Dakar, and features two Visa engines, one powering each axle. How mad is that? Don’t miss it on the Forest Rally Stage.
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Like this, only on dirt and with a V8...
Metro 8R4
Big-arched be-winged Metros don’t need much justifying, to be honest. Falling short of the specialised Group B weapons of the era, the 6R4 was the ultimate go-mad-with-what-you’ve-got exercise. That the monstrous turbocharged V6 engine wound up in an XJ220 only adds to this car’s mythos. No, the heading isn’t a typo. This isn’t a 6R4. It has a 4.6-litre V8 in the V6’s place. Utter madness!
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Aston Martin Vantage GT4
No, it’s not in the wrong list. No, it won’t bottom out. Yes, the idea of exotic cars taking to trails less-traveled still feels a bit mad. The truth is that they’ve been doing it for years. Dakar Porsche 959 anyone? Group B Ferrari 308? This Vantage follows a long line of re-purposed-for-rally sports and supercars, and the idea remains popular today. Catch it in action at the Forest Rally Stage.
Ott tanak Fiesta WRC
As a break from the oddities, we have this prime slice of contemporary WRC weaponry. This Fiesta WRC, formerly of Ott Tänak, was the WRC hot seat in which the Estonian Rally ace made a successful comeback in 2014. Catch it ripping up the Forest Rally Stage at FOS.
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Proton Iriz R5
Quite the unique occasion at FOS this year will be when, within seconds of the metaphorical covers being ripped off, the new Proton Iriz R5 will slingshot out onto the Forest Rally Stage for a blast. This will be the first time this car will be seen and driven in anger. One not to miss!
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