Articles by Henry Hope-Frost
RAC Rally 1989: Pentti’s last-gasp win
The death of Pentti Airikkala at the end of last month reminded me of the time I cheered him on to an historic and hugely popular maiden world championship rally victory in one of the …
1979: Brock blitzes Bathurst
As aficionados of Australian touring car racing prepare for this weekend’s blue riband event, the Bathurst 1000 enduro at Mount Panorama, I am reminded of the great Peter Brock. It’s just over three years since …
The birth of Formula 3000
Sunday March 24 1985 marked an important milestone in international single-seater motorsport. Converging on celebrated grand prix venue Silverstone were 17 drivers keen to boost their reputations as they fought to reach the final rung …
Goodwood Revival – the insider’s view
“The fact that I had a shunt here is incidental. It has always been such a friendly, social place. Actually there is nowhere else with atmosphere like it.”
Sir Stirling Moss perfectly summed up the feelings …
Monaco 1970: Brabham’s pain is Rindt’s gain
The effect of the drama that unfolded in the dying moments of the third round of the 1970 World Championship around the streets of Monte Carlo – then and now the last bastion of motorsporting …
Richard Petty: 200 not out!
NASCAR fans will relish this trio of STP-produced films celebrating Richard Petty’s 200th top-class victory at Daytona in 1984. The US oil giant made the films to commemorate the silver anniversary of The King’s achievement …
Can-Am: Born with a Bang
Pay attention Can-Am fans: here’s a superb film from the inaugural event in the Canadian-American Challenge for Group 7 monsters.
History was made on September 11 1966 at the fearsome, undulating road course of Mont Tremblant …
Fever Machines: Fiat 131 Abarth
Fiat’s striking 131 Abarth moved the technological goalposts in rally car development in the 1970s. The Italian super-saloon was a potent fusion of the collective efforts of Fabbrica Italiana di Automobili Torino, the tuning expertise …
Luscious liveries
Ever since corporate sponsorship arrived in motorsport in the 1960s, certain brand names and their colour schemes have taken on a certain synonymity. Everybody has a favourite livery or paint job – one that stirs …
Ford Escort – Rally Legend
Ask a cross-section of rally fans to name their favourite rally car of all time and one name is guaranteed to crop up more often than any other: the Ford Escort.
The Blue Oval’s ubiquitous family …
Ayrton Senna: First Formula 1 tests 1983
Here is some rare footage of Ayrton Senna taking part in his first three Formula 1 tests in 1983 before deciding on what team he should drive for the following year.
Senna tested for Williams, McLaren …
Fever Machines: Porsche 956/962
In the spring of 1982, Porsche unleashed the Group C-spec 956 on the World Sportscar Championship. Its debut race, the Silverstone six hours in May, marked the start of something very big for the German …
Goodwood Festival of Speed – the insider’s view
Anyone unsure about committing to a maiden visit to Goodwood’s Festival of Speed in 2010 should firmly and finally cast those doubts asunder. This unique event, the last bastion of open-house-anything-goes motorsport, celebrated its 16th …
