'Rally Gods' set for Scots shootout 05 | 06 | 2017

FIVE OF THE greatest names in rallying are set to wow Scottish fans when the Ignition Festival of Motoring returns to the streets of Glasgow and around the SEC on August 4-6. (Related: Colin McRae inducted into Hall of Fame)

All five ‘Rally Gods’ — Markku Alén, Miki Biasion, Stig Blomqvist, Timo Salonen and Ari Vatanen — are World Champions and all five are super-heroes from the epic Group B era, still hailed by many to be the sport’s most extreme and exciting period.

Their appearance will coincide with the 10th anniversary of the death of Scotland’s iconic world rally champion, Colin McRae, who was killed in a helicopter crash on September 15, 2007. (Related: McRae celebrations at Wales Rally GB)

Often termed ‘Formula 1 in the forests’, Group B regulations were introduced for the 1982 season with only a few restrictions and allowing almost unlimited power. Cars could be mid-engined two-seaters and manufacturers only had to produce 200 examples that bore no more than a passing resemblance to showroom models to meet minimal homologation requirements.

As a result, in the four years between 1983 and 1986, rallying developed further and faster than it had done in the previous three decades. Group B took the sport to the absolute edge of performance, but put it beyond common sense and reasonable safety levels.

When FISA, the then world governing body, culled the category following a series of terrifying accidents, Group B was immortalised.

Though ultimately short-lived, the epic Group B era has since acquired legendary status and brave-hearted drivers such as Alén, Biasion, Blomqvist, Salonen and Vatanen been revered right around the globe.

Come Ignition, all five will be back behind the wheels of the fearsome cars that they campaigned in their heydays. Twice a day — as the climax to each exhilarating Track Show — the Rally Gods will also be renewing old rivalries competing against-the-clock in a dramatic not-to-be-missed Street Stage Shoot-Outs – this time racing cutting-edge sportscars on a special gymkhana circuit.

Visitors will also be given the chance to see their Rally God heroes up close with regular autograph and selfie sessions on all three days of the spectacular event.

“We are hugely honoured to be welcoming five of rallying’s greatest names to Ignition,” festival director Cat Stanfordsaid. “Scotland has an incredible motorsport history and the presence of these Rally Gods and their idolised Group B cars is going to be one of the stand-out highlights of this year’s bigger, faster and louder show.”

Building on the huge success of last year’s inaugural Ignition, which attracted more than 26,000 visitors, other notable features for 2017 include:

* 70 years of Ferrari – a tribute to the history and legacy of the famous Prancing Horse;

*The 60th anniversary of Ecurie Ecosse’s famous 24 Hours of Le Mans victory with an exclusive line-up of the team’s finest machinery;

*A bike stunt zone;

*A supercar grid to rival any featuring Lamborghinis, Porsches, McLarens, Mustangs, Mercedes’ and more;

*Plus, hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the latest releases with the opportunity for visitors to buy their next car or bike at the event.

There will also be a return by popular demand of the rubber-burning Japspeed drifters plus eye-catching displays by renowned Scottish bike stunt rider Kevin Carmichael.

A new addition for 2017, the outdoor Ride and Drive Zone will give motor enthusiasts the chance to test their skills offering a mix of off-road driving experiences, test drives, a young driver experience and the chance to ride electric motocross and trials bikes.

The indoor Ignition arcade — another new attraction — will host a range of games and experiences to cater for the whole family, including remote control drifting, simulators, gaming areas, remote control truck racing and more.

Tickets for Ignition 2017 are available now — click here for full details.

Related: Rallying will never be safe — Hannu Mikkola

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Jim McGill

CAPTIONS:

Main Image: Miki Biasion in the Group B Lancia Delta S4

Smaller images, from top:

Ari Vatanen a Rally God from the Group B era

Ari Vatanen en route to winning the 1984 Acropolis Rally

Double World Champion Miki Biasion in 1986

Stig Blomqvist's Ford RS200 on the 1986 Rally GB

Timo Salonen's victorious Peugeot 205 T16E2 on the 1986 Rally GB