Met Russel Brooks when he retired in Grizedale forest in the Manta. A man of his word after a pint in the Kings Head pub asked for an autograph. He sent me my brother and a friend an autographed picture on the Manta with himself and Mike Broard. Still have it nearly 30 yrs later. A true Gentleman of rallying. Happy days.
Thanks for showing this. I used to follow Russell Brookes in the 80s and loved the Manta so much I had 3 of them. Very sad to hear he died, but what a brilliant driver he was.
i drove a manta 400 stage car for promotions and events when i worked for John Andrews as area sales mgr moons ago. i razzed it around northumberlands back roads between pub stops and in the Cumbrian rally. i had it as my other company car. a highlight of my young life. loved that car loved my job
Great driver. Unfortunately, Russell never had a real chance to show his pace in the continent. The Mantas were outclassed group B cars, but they looked beautifully in their classic 'coupe' shape and they sounded real well trough the british fast stages. Very wise of you to get into rally history and drive the Manta and the 'real' Peugeot T16. All the best for the starting ERC season!
There you say something. I'd like to see him and Jimmy McRea compete in the Dutch open in the early 80's. We had Jan v/d Marel( tannoy, vanessa sound systems and leasplan sponsored) and Henk Vossen(Opel Dealer Team Holland), both with a Manta 400, back then.
ADZ 31 was as Russell said "the lightest Manta ever built" though I owned a Manta SR Berlinetta & a Chevette HSR. I badly wanted a Manta 400. I'll never get to drive one now.
I’m surprised Russell doesn’t recall his mechanical retirement on the 1987 Ulster, his last ever rally in a 400, when he retired with Propshaft failure. As Mike Broad signed off on the in car video ‘that’s our rally done, goodbye’.
1 of the greatest liveries of the 80s,was never really a fan of the manta i much prefered his talbot sunbeam with the andrews heat for hire livery,but to be fair his livery is iconic on many cars
Ah...I'm devastated man. One of my fave drivers of my all time fave car bar none. Keep those twin 50's in good order up there Russell. Rest easy.
Lovely words. Rest in Peace Russell
Met Russel Brooks when he retired in Grizedale forest in the Manta. A man of his word after a pint in the Kings Head pub asked for an autograph. He sent me my brother and a friend an autographed picture on the Manta with himself and Mike Broard. Still have it nearly 30 yrs later. A true Gentleman of rallying. Happy days.
Thanks for showing this. I used to follow Russell Brookes in the 80s and loved the Manta so much I had 3 of them. Very sad to hear he died, but what a brilliant driver he was.
Russell was a rallying hero of mine, got to meet him a couple of times, nice guy and bloody good driver. RIP mate.
One of the last old school greats love the heat for hire manta r.i.p thanks for the memories
RIP Mr Brookes
Very well thought and missed by all Irish rally fans ,keep her lit and rest in peace
Group b days,I remember them ,brilliant footage!
Rip Russell Brooke's I'm glad Ive seen him in action in the 80s what a driver
He was a true gentleman and legend
i drove a manta 400 stage car for promotions and events when i worked for John Andrews as area sales mgr moons ago. i razzed it around northumberlands back roads between pub stops and in the Cumbrian rally. i had it as my other company car. a highlight of my young life. loved that car loved my job
Nice to see Russell .. great driver from back in the glory days of Rallying
RIP!!!
RIP Russell
Great driver. Unfortunately, Russell never had a real chance to show his pace in the continent. The Mantas were outclassed group B cars, but they looked beautifully in their classic 'coupe' shape and they sounded real well trough the british fast stages. Very wise of you to get into rally history and drive the Manta and the 'real' Peugeot T16. All the best for the starting ERC season!
There you say something. I'd like to see him and Jimmy McRea compete in the Dutch open in the early 80's. We had Jan v/d Marel( tannoy, vanessa sound systems and leasplan sponsored) and Henk Vossen(Opel Dealer Team Holland), both with a Manta 400, back then.
ADZ 31 was as Russell said "the lightest Manta ever built" though I owned a Manta SR Berlinetta & a Chevette HSR. I badly wanted a Manta 400. I'll never get to drive one now.
I’m surprised Russell doesn’t recall his mechanical retirement on the 1987 Ulster, his last ever rally in a 400, when he retired with Propshaft failure. As Mike Broad signed off on the in car video ‘that’s our rally done, goodbye’.
1 of the greatest liveries of the 80s,was never really a fan of the manta i much prefered his talbot sunbeam with the andrews heat for hire livery,but to be fair his livery is iconic on many cars
RIP Russell.
ADZ 31 the best of the best.