CRUNCH! HOW ONE ROVER’S RACE CAME TO A MESSY END

Peter Mallett’s 1981 Rover 3500 SD1 is set for a strong performance in the Gerry Marshall Trophy, but a tussle with Malcolm Harrison’s Metro and Patrick Watts’ Capri sends it off-track just after the start. After leaving the track and hitting the snow-sodden grass leading up to Goodwood’s first corner, the Rover’s front brakes quickly locked up, despite Peter’s efforts to regain control. Bang! The next stop is straight into the tyre wall at Madgwick Corner, with the force of the impact briefly sending the back of the SD1 upwards and forcing the safety tyres into the air. It looks dramatic, but there are no injuries. All three cars are forced out of the race by the incident, but the Rover sustains the worst damage. The race – eventually won by Pantellis Christoforou in a Ford Escort RS2000 – is delayed while the debris is removed.