1984 Manx Rally: Tony Pond - Rover SD1 3500 Vitesse (Reupload)

Tony Pond shows is how it’s done, dominating the Group A class and getting a place on the podium in the “Big Girl” Vitesse. Crazy for it to be doing so well in an event with so many Group B beasts. I do not own this footage, credit goes to M Rally and Dug2511 for uploading the films. Reuploaded due to an editing fumble on my part.

[@olafeklund6200]

I absolutely love those big Rovers! The most rewarding cars I ever owned.

[@terra2805]

I absolutely LOVE the sound those 3.5 litre V8's made. Such a deep, throaty growl. They were very fast in a straight line but the handling wasn't the best being prone to understeer due to the weight of the damn thing. That said, the man here driving, Tony Pond, is an absolute legendary Rover driver. He had balls of steel!!!

[@TheWelshtart]

A real class act, RIP Tony.

[@2.fresh767]

The legend that is Tony Pond & the legend that is the Rover SD1, match made in heaven.

[@bananamilkshake6931]

Tony Pond was so fast, he could spend a third of the time in reverse and still win the stage.

[@ChargerMagnum440]

seriously impressive driving... literally flinging the Rover around! and as for that drive through the fog... mind blowing!

[@tz6414]

Amazing effort hustling that heavy tub around the course. The amount of roll is crazy.

[@trsfc1595]

Truly Talented

[@pauljohnson7may]

He drove like the devil, no matter what crap he was in he always managed to wring the best from it.

[@bugattieb110ss]

Loved Tony Pond. Fantastic drive. Very down to earth...not up himself like Colin McRea became.

[@Botomatic]

You’re damn right! How a motorsports legend should be, proper blue collar kind of guy, was never afraid to get his hands dirty fixing the cars.

[@weedaviec]

A bit unfair. Pond was a huge talent and so was Colin. Colin's passion and death or glory style were fantastic and fans really appreciated it. RIP the both of them.

[@Graham-rc1cp]

Gone far too soon - legend

[@ManxAndy]

I was there, Tony got cheered through every stage on that last day…..superb drive in such an unlikely rally car.👍🇮🇲

[@colinmorris2604]

Fantastic not seen this. 16 mins up on next group A car.

[@Botomatic]

As I said to someone else on here before, it was actually a 20 minute gap between him and Per Eklund's Toyota by the end of the rally!

[@stratac30]

Some driver to be 16 minutes up on the next Group A car.

[@Botomatic]

By the finish it was a difference of 20 minutes to the second place Group A car of Per Eklund... he was the king of the Rovers for sure.

[@sporkfindus4777]

That's hustling!!

[@nitrosilvia]

Legend

[@srxt6758]

This guy could have been an F1 champ if he chose the path. He was so good.

[@Botomatic]

He did test drive an Arrow Formula 1 car in the late 70s/early 80s! Would have been interesting to see what he could have done in a full season.

[@derekhiles9041]

Fabulous car

[@sporkfindus4777]

Cool guy, cool car

[@Markcain268]

4:03 reversing lights are on lol

[@sailormanoyster1849]

I had a v8 sdi in the early 80s shame about thr loose half shaft splines

[@tonyhancock3912]

Jesus Christ!!! 2:40

[@ianmangham4570]

Hilarious

[@lukeyboy01]

Basically a barge on wheels lol

[@feydespiel.]

If you haven't driven one then you know nowt...its as heavy as a mk2 mondeo...around 1,350kgs....that isn't a huge weight for a big car...and once on the move you Don't even notice it...I've driven many and been lucky enough to own many...still got one...do yourself a favour...try and get a drive in one...I promise you will love it...but maybe not the build quality....