THE LAST VICTORY OF A TRAGIC HERO

The Monte-Carlo Rally is one of the most historic and important events in motorsport, and has been the scene of some unforgettable drama and controversy. In 1986, the rally delivered action, incident and fierce competition on every stage. This was the opening round of what would prove to be the last year of the awesome Group B ‘supercars’, it featured one of the finest drives ever by the breathtaking Henri Toivonen and even saw a bizarre accident involving a spectator’s car almost decide the winner!

Now you can relive this incredible round of the ‘86 World Rally Championship on DVD for the first time. This highlights programme is packed with action footage from the historic mountain stages, interviews with legendary drivers and jaw-dropping slow-motion film.

This was the beginning of the end for the era-defining Group B cars, and this DVD features a wealth of these roaring icons – the Lancia Delta S4, the Audi Quattro S1, the Peugeot 206 T16 and the Metro 6R4. Watch legendary drivers manhandling these rallying monsters around the tight and twisting mountain special stages, struggling to cope with snow, ice, rain and highspeed tarmac.

Toivonen and co-driver Sergio Cresto led the way, thanks to the Pirelli tyres on the Martini Lancia, but reigning World Champion Timo Salonen and Monte-Carlo expert Walter Rohrl were soon close on his trail. The Finn’s hopes of victory were dealt a blow in a bizarre accident when his Lancia collided head-on with a spectator’s car. Ironically, it was a Peugeot – the same make as his nearest rival Salonen!

Toivonen refused to admit defeat, and in the closing stages caught and passed his rival to take a dominant win. Tragically this would be the last victory for the popular Toivonen and co-driver Cresto – four months later the pair died in an horrific crash which spelled the end of the Group B era.

As well as dramatic action and high emotion, the 1986 Monte-Carlo Rally DVD takes viewers behind the scenes with a look at servicing, interviews with the stars, including British rally heroes Tony Pond and Malcolm Wilson, and coverage of the Group A competition as Volkswagen, Renault, Mazda and more fight for points.

The Group A race also provides one of the truly unmissable moments as Kenneth Eriksson rolls his Golf GTi into a telegraph pole!

The 1986 Monte-Carlo Rally DVD is released 10th March, priced at £10.99 on DVD, from leading video outlets or direct from Duke Video: Tel 01624 640000, fax 01624 640001 or email mail@dukevideo.com. Visit www.dukevideo.com online.

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