Group B Eulogy and Videos
There's a great conversation going on in the comments thread of the Lancia Delta post regarding rallying and great rally videos; truly brilliant stuff.
I'm a big rally fan and obviously a Group B fanatic; heck, I've already featured the Audi Sport Quattro, Ford RS200, Renault 5, Lancia 037 Monte Carlo, and Lancia Delta. I'm stunned that I haven't done the Porsche 959 or Peugeot 205, and no doubt the Citroen BX and MG Metro will get their time in the sun soon enough.
Group B was the completely intoxicating mix of ultra-high-technology, incredible speed, low traction, and poor crowd control. Imagine putting a Formula 1 car on a narrow, undulating, gravel road, and lining the sides with people leaning over for a better look. That was Group B.
It's difficult to comprehend just how fast those cars were--they were all purpose-built race cars, with forced induction engines and all-wheel drive. The street versions did 0-60 in the 3-second range or less--and this was in the early 1980s. The full rally versions, on a tight enough asphalt course, were rumored to be nearly as fast as Formula 1 cars.
In retrospect, it's not particularly surprising that the cars were just too fast for the conditions. Rally courses are more difficult to control than a race track--conditions are more variable, and spectators are far closer to the action. The series only survived for four years before some massive accidents and resulting driver and spectator casualties brought an end to the whole thing, but those four years were nothing less than amazing.
The videos below are three in a series of Group B clips without music or narration--just the cars screaming through mud and gravel at ridiculous speeds.
Genius.
--Chris H.
Chris Hafner on May 07, 2008 at 01:44 PM
By the way, it's possible to play all three videos at the same time - if you're just listening and not watching, the effect is pretty cool.
Mochi Mochi on May 07, 2008 at 07:41 PM
God - the sound - the sound. It's chilling. A mad symphony.
Chris thanks for suggestion about listening to all three videos at once, and thanks for the post. Watching Group B and seeing the crowd EVERYWHERE. Its like a shop accident waiting to happen. One can only imagine the carnage. Seriously leaning into a road way like that is the functional equivalent of playing mumbly-peg with a table saw. Or kiss the flying CNC machine.
Group B - freeking awesome! So sad it has passed. Not really a spectator sport, I mean how much can you actually see without decapitation. Like a lot of events it's actually better on film or TV. But I guess you don't get covered in mud, gas, rocks, and exhaust - so there's the rub. Part of the spectator joy must be in removing rocks and sticks from your ears, and bolts from your nose.
Jeannot became a cult figure in Rallying, and claimed top honors at Group B's height. The thing about this guy that is so appealing is that he seems to be constantly enjoying himself - he's the happiest man in the world. Who could effing blame him! - he's a master artist and he's got the best job in the effing world. He gets to drain every ounce of anxiety and adrenaline out of his system every time he drives - and he seems to drive all the time. He can do things with a car that no mere mortal could ever even think of. After Group B he went on racing in the Renault Clio Maxi. It didn't matter what he was driving as long as he was driving. He made the little Clio do the most amazing things.
Beyond driving skill and car control there's also the fact that the turns these guys execute frequently occur on roads they've not traveled. They don't get a track day or a practice day from what I understand - no learning the road. They can't even see what's coming. They are getting calls from co-driver telling them what they need to do, in how many meters or seconds. "Turn right, 120 degrees, 100 meters, 3, 2, 1."
More Jeannot:
Jean Ragnotti Rallye du Mont Blanc
Driver: Jean Ragnotti Co driver: GillesThimonier
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Faq1h_S4KSY
Finally I want to say the following: I want to wake up everyday and have a job like these guys. If I finished my cereal every morning and went off to drive a rally I'd be the happiest effing batard on the planet. I'd be one giant smile flying through the ardennes forest. Vive la Group B!
Brian on May 07, 2008 at 09:42 PM
Jeannot, there's some driving for you. Words just can't quite do it justice. Man. I've got a lot to learn about this sport. Spectacular videos, all, thank you!
Mochi Mochi on May 07, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Chris we need a new thread. Kind of a CarLust academy awards for best driving footage or film. I suggest we have short and long form categories and indie and major studio.
For best feature length studio film, I nominate 1971's "Le Mans" with Steve McQueen. I picked up a DVD of the film for $10. It may be the best $10 I ever spent. The film is full of intensely beautiful racing footage. The cinematography is unparalleled. There are brief snippets of a love story mingled in, just enough to give you a rest, and build anticipation for the next stunning race scene. There are a few existential philosophic references too that elevate the intellectual side of the story "Racing is life, anything before or after... is just waiting";)
Buy this film! Here are a few choice clips from youtube.
1st lap:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M3dLBL1Nzk&feature=related
Follow up footage and montage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gwy7GoMQNk
The trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls08-F6I5Ss&feature=related
The music is pretty good in the film and in the trailer. But the real music comes from those freeking beautiful engines. There's a scene when the lead Porsche clears the chicane to complete the first lap. I swear every time I hear the sound of its engine my heart skips a few beats. It's stunning.