1990: Ford Sierra RS Cosworth RS, retired

“Colin and I both had new and identical four-wheel-drive Sierras for this event – his was run by RED while Mike Little ran mine. There was definitely a feeling that something could be done with a really competitive car. Unfortunately, I crashed really early on (SS3, Scunthorpe) in the fog. After that, I just followed Colin – Alister hadn’t started the RAC that year.

“I was in a bit of a difficult position though, how could I give Colin any advice? It was definitely a case of ‘do as I say not do as I do!’ In the end, he didn’t really need any advice and drove very well. Yes, there was the odd moment here and there – don’t forget this was the event that the door on Derek’s [Ringer, co-driver] side of the car was held shut with the bolt from a farm gate! They finished and set some fastest times and some really, really good times. That was the rally which helped to set everything up. After that, we had nothing, but then David Richards called with a plan…”