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From Harrogate it Started - RAC Rally 1971

Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 5:44 pm
by mab01uk
Some interesting Mini rally action in this great film:

"From Harrogate It Started"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daUFi0Dapgc

"Digitally re-mastered for the first time. From Harrogate it Started is a unique view of the 1971 RAC Rally, where teams encountered some of the most extreme weather conditions the Rally had seen in years.

The weather provided a stunning backdrop to the dramatic action, which features rollovers, breakdowns and even one unlucky team who end up in a lake. The story is told using cameras inside the cars and trackside, and from audio radio bulletins with classic music from the era.

Helicopter cameras follow the cars on long, fast straights and there is plenty of footage of handbrake turns on the slippery corners. This film features the very best drivers of the time including Roger Clark, Timo Makkinen and Hanu Mikkola. Victory eventually went to a youthful looking Stig Blomqvist whose Saab was totally suited to the challenging conditions."

DVD £5.99
http://www.motorsportdvd.com/other_titl ... ted/page_1

Re: From Harrogate it Started - RAC Rally 1971

Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 10:40 pm
by LMM76C
mab01uk wrote:Some interesting Mini rally action in this great film:
Rather more than the Mini's importance in International rallying by then warrants...
Stan Griffin's car feature's heavily (in a re-enacted sequence??) (not that that detracts from making this film one of 3 "landmark" rally films alongside Shell's "Coupe des Alpes" and Castrol's "Flying Finns").
Griffin was a policeman from Hampton, Middlesex. I believe the connection is that he was at school with Keith Moon. The film is well known for The Who soundtrack. The Who went on to appear on the 73 Welsh at their sponsored Penmachno stage, having provided Stan Griffin with a (pink) works spec RS1600.
Later, after Moon had moved on to inhabit his world somewhat removed from reality, Griffin used a Gp1 RS2000 on home Internationals.