LAST OF THE V8-ENGINED WINNERS

The 3.5-litre Rover V8 arrived in the championship in 1980. There were a few teething troubles, but Jeff Allam won the final three rounds of ’81 and the writing was on the wall for the hitherto dominant Ford Capri. Honours were shared in ’82, helping Class C Mazda RX-7 racer Win Percy take the crown. Group A rules were brought in the following year and the Tom Walkinshaw Racing Rovers dominated, only to be thrown out after a protracted legality battle. Andy Rouse won all but four of the 11 rounds on his way to the ’84 title and the rumbling Rover took the last of its 39 wins in ’87.