SPIN, The Rally Pod

Lochs, Lancias, and a legend

In the latest edition of SPIN, The Rally Pod, our panel of DirtFish Senior Staff Writer David Evans, our voice of rally Colin Clark and George Donaldson turn back the clock to discuss their favorite Lancia liveries, the genius (and flaws) of the great Walter Röhrl and look ahead to the long-awaited Rally Estonia.Can rallying return safely amid fresh coronavirus cases in Europe? The team chat through the calendar permutations as the WRC gears up for its return. And all the while, George has been outsmarting midges next to a Scottish loch...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What we learned from rallying's international return

DirtFish's Colin Clark and David Evans spent a week in Italy for the biggest step towards the full resumption of international rallying so far, as the 2020 European Rally Championship began and Hyundai entered both Rally di Roma and subsequent Italian event Rally di Alba in force.As their trip came to an end, they reflected on the experience of being back in the service parks, how the ERC is shaping up, performances on those rallies, the coronavirus situation and much more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Modifications for Monte and M-Sport

The Monte Carlo Rally itinerary has been modified for 2021, while M-Sport is giving DirtFish exclusive access to its updated headquarters and new test track. Plus Colin Clark, George Donaldson and David Evans preview Rally di Roma, the first major international rally since the COVID-19 outbreak began.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's Safari week!

In the week the World Rally Championship should've been back in Kenya, the DirtFish team celebrates everything that made the Safari great - and will do againSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Calendar clarity at last for the WRC

Finally, the World Rally Championship's C-word no longer needs to be used in hushed tones, following the reveal of a provisional calendar for the remainder of the 2020 season. Unsurprisingly, the new schedule is at the top of the agenda discussed by Colin Clark, George Donaldson and David Evans this weekSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The WRC's prospects for 2020, 2021 and 2022 too

With teams back in testing action and a calendar coming together, WRC 2020 feels within reach again - but what does the longer-term future now hold?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Behind the scenes as WRC returned to action

Why did the Finns stop flying?

Finnish drivers used to dominate the WRC, but none has won a title since Marcus Gronholm in 2002. Though Kalle Rovanpera might rectify that anomaly soon, why has the drought gone on so long? That's what Colin Clark, George Donaldson and David Evans are debating this week.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Burns, calving and a shrinking calendar

There have been big setbacks for the WRC in the past week, with Finland, New Zealand and GB all off for 2020. Recorded just before news of GB being canned was confirmed, this episode of Spin, the Rally Pod explains why the events in question had little choiceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The big WRC questions right now

Rallying's return is getting closer, so enough lockdown talk - time to focus on the competition. From Ogier's future to Hyundai's latest driver shuffles and the new Toyota, the DirtFish gang hits the big talking pointsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The untold tales of Toyota's 1998 heartbreak

Toyota and Carlos Sainz were on the brink of the 1998 World Rally Championship title when it fell apart in agonizing fashion with the finish in sight. DirtFish podcast regular George Donaldson was a key part of the Toyota team back then, and reveals how it felt to be part of that incredible rollercoaster - plus some theories never before airedSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Let's get radical

Moves towards resuming real-world rallying are starting to accelerate, but there are still a lot of unknowns and concerns. Colin Clark, David Evans and George Donaldson have a typically passionate debate about the options and the latest developments - and also celebrate all that's great about Rally Portugal.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

McMastering WRC photography

When it comes to rallying photography, Colin McMaster is one of the best in the business. In this edition of Spin, the Rally Pod, our voice of rally Colin Clark meets with McMaster (while observing social distancing measures) to lift the lid on McMaster's career behind the lens - from convincing teachers in South Africa to allow him to study photography rather than taking Afrikaans lessons, to his first big break shooting for Subaru, and how he met his hero-turned-business partner, Reinhard Klein. There's also a look back at McMaster's memories of a sodden edition of Rally Portugal in 2001, as part of DirtFish's Rally Portugal week.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What can be done with the 2020 WRC season?

With the Safari Rally Kenya definitely off the list for 2020, but COVID-19 restrictions beginning to be lifted in some parts of the world, the DirtFish team looks at the state of play for the paused World Rally Championship season. Can enough of the calendar be salvaged to crown a worthy champion?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Behind the scenes of the toughest Safari Rally era

Our chats with Derek Dauncey about Mitsubishi's Safari Rally heroics in recent weeks have given an incredible insight into just how tough the legendary Kenyan event was in the 1990s.Now SPIN's own George Donaldson lifts the lid on an even more demanding era. Starting in the 1980s, his stint in a lead role at Toyota came when the manufacturer took the Safari incredibly seriously - with weeks-long recces, specialized development programs and team personnel including George spending as much as six months of the year in Kenya.Settle in for a fascinating reminisce about those extraordinary days.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Now that’s what Derek calls the 90s Part 2

Mitsubishi scored a second Safari Rally win in three years on the 1998 event. This one was particularly special for British fans with Richard Burns taking his maiden WRC win and backing up Colin McRae’s Kenyan victory of 12 months earlier.Typically for the Safari, it was anything but straightforward, as Mitsubishi Ralliart’s Derek Dauncey tells David Evans in the second of his interviews looking into life among the Lancers in the Nineties. This time, for the first time, Andrew Cowan’s Rugby-based team was running a brace of cars, something that brought plenty of challenges as well as doubling the potential for success.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Now that’s what Derek calls the 90s Part 3

Remember the story of Rally of Great Britain 1998? Of course you do. It’s a story all about Tommi Mäkinen, Carlos Sainz and Bodmin builder Nigel Barnett. It’s a story all about their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV, Toyota Corolla WRC and Hillman Imp.Ringing a few bells now? Thought so. Derek Dauncey was Mitsubishi Ralliart’s man in the middle of the Millbrook crisis when Mäkinen removed the right rear wheel against a concrete block - thanks to oil from that Imp. For the next three days, the Finn and his team thought that was the end of his world championship.It wasn’t, it was just the beginning of an unforgettable rollercoaster ride for Andrew Cowan’s team – ending on the highest possible high.This one is, however, the first half of a fascinating story. Next week, Colin Clark talks to then Toyota team manager George Donaldson about the disappointment that led Carlos Sainz’s co-driver Luis Moya to find a new way of putting his crash helmet back in the car…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The world champion from home. And the heart

If today’s World Rally Champion could offer Ott Tänak some career advice 10 years ago, what would it be? And what did he really think of his move from Toyota to Hyundai?Talking about Hyundai, what’s Andrea Adamo really like and does he say yes more than he says no.All of these questions and more – including his first thoughts on Sébastien Ogier joining him and Elfyn Evans at M-Sport – are answered in an insightful DirtFish SPIN, The Rally Pod interview with our defending world champ. He also has a word or two for those who think he’s a bit too brief in his interviews... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today. Toivonen.

Thirty-four years ago the world of rallying was robbed of a driver destined for global glory and years at the very top of our sport. May 2, 1986 was the day Henri Toivonen and co-driver Sergio Cresto lost their lives in a Tour de Corse crash which changed the face of rallying.Lisa O’Sullivan leads an intriguing and emotive history lesson into one of the life and times of the mercurial Finn. David Evans, George Donaldson and Colin Clark analyse Toivonen’s impact on the sport, the man himself, where he came from and where he was heading. There’s also a look into the ramifications of the accident which spelled the end of Group B, world rallying’s most controversial four-year formula.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cancellations, postponements and rallying’s immediate future

In a particularly shouty and argumentative Spin, David Evans and George Donaldson wind poor Colin Clark up terribly. The cause of the debate? Is Ypres one of the best rallies in the world? Or is it all straight, nineties, chips and mayonnaise?If you’ve never heard the Voice of Rally on the rev limiter, tune in…Fascinating debate, with thought-provoking insight from DG and Lisa O’Sullivan on the impact of the current global pandemic on our sport and the wider world.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ashes to Haribo stashes, a journey home from round four 2010

How many Haribo does it take to make a bus ride from Asia to England? Tune in and find out. Except you won’t, the boys lost count of how many bags they ate returning from Istanbul and the 2010 Rally Turkey.Remember Icelandic-the-unpronounceable, that volcano that caused total travel chaos? Colin Clark and David Evans will never forget three nights and four days travelling through Turkey, Romania, Austria, Slovakia (it might have been Serbia, they’re not sure...), possibly Czech Republic, almost certainly Hungary, a bit of Germany, a touch of France and, oddly, even a bit of Belgium. A decade on and George Donaldson is still enjoying the fact he didn’t go to the event and watched the Eyjafjallajokull madness unfold from the comfort of a packet of his favourite crisps (that might be chips, depending which side of the Pond you’re reading this).Lisa O’Sullivan presides brilliantly over painful - and occasionally amusing - memories of the non-party bus home from round four of the 2010 World Rally Championship. (There’s even the odd sneaky story from the party bus). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 10 - Argentina: it’s not all meat and drink

You might have gathered, the DirtFish team would rather be elsewhere this week. We’d rather be in Villa Carlos Paz reporting on round four of this year’s World Rally Championship, the SpeedAgro Rally Argentina.Just because we’re not, doesn’t mean we can’t talk about it. So we did. In this edition of Spin, The Rally Pod, Lisa O’Sullivan focuses the attention of George Donaldson, David Evans and Colin Clark on Argentina and a whole host of South American stories.George tells the world how and why he made Nicky Grist cry, Colin reveals the moment he revealed his naked chest to the post-rally party and David talks about retractable pencils.Looking for advice ahead of her Argentina debut, Lisa is given some clear, concise and consistent dietary guidance. In preparation for the parrilla... vegetables.But before all of that, there’s news of ducks.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bonus Spin - Andrea Adamo

Italian Andrea Adamo was recruited to the very top of Hyundai Motorsport at the start of 2019. In turn, in his first season in charge, he delivered the Korean manufacturer to the very top of the World Rally Championship.His method and approach reflect the glorious Lancia-defined era in which he grew up. In a little over 12 months, he’s polarised opinion in the service park. Not that he cares. His mission statement talks of winning rallies, rather than popularity contests. But his charisma is captivating. Here he talks at length to DirtFish’s David Evans about – among other things – one-word answers, the bible and Brabham's BT52. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 8 - Now, that’s what Derek calls the 90s Part 1

For thousands of rally fans out there Mitsubishi Ralliart was the 1990s in the World Rally Championship. And Derek Dauncey was the man in the middle of that Rugby-based Mitsubishi outfit.In what’s going to be the first of many interviews (hence this is Part 1 of Now that’s what Derek calls the 1990s…), Dauncey talks DirtFish through two pivotal events for Andrew Cowan’s Lancer squad. We’re in 1996 for both, the first is the Safari Rally - an outstanding tale of Ralliart’s first attempt at the Kenyan marathon - and the second is one of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship’s most arduous journeys from Hong Kong to Beijing.Brace yourself for test cars splitting in two and rats in your bedroom in Wuhan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bonus Spin - COVID-19 and its effect on Rallying

The COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak is continuing to disrupt the day-to-day affairs of millions of people around the world. It’s put a halt to the world of motorsport on the road but it hasn’t stopped those in the motorsport world from doing their part to make a difference in this fight.DirtFish reporters Colin Clark and David Evans have been hearing the stories of some members of the rally community who are trying to help.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.