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A book details the 40 years of Prodrive, the driving force behind Subaru’s rallying success and Aston Martin’s victorious GT racers, and many more. A book of just 192 pages, isn’t that a bit short?
40 years ago, Ari Vatanen’s co-driver, David Richards departed the cockpit to start a motorsport venture of his own. Or so reads the quick guide to Prodrive. Of course, David Richards was much more astute than that, tapping close contacts with Rothmans to help finance his plans.
Even with their first initiative of 1984, the Rothmans-sponsored Porsche 911 SC RS in rallying, Prodrive showed its potential, delivering a highly capable, rear-wheel-driven car at a time when four-wheel drive seemed to be the new norm. Later, Porsche handed Prodrive a ton of 959 parts and said: ‘Let’s see you make a better rally-raid car than us.’ David Richards’ team responded with a Pharaoh rally-winner. Porsche’s factory entry failed to make the finish…
Things took off from there: world championship titles with the WRC Subaru Imprezas; Le Mans challenges with the unique Ferrari 550 GTS Maranello and the Aston Martin DBR9; touring cars titles with the BMW E30 M3 and Ford Mondeo V6; V8 Supercars; a Dakar challenger, and for David Richards, a stint at the helm of the BAR Honda Formula 1 team. In short, Prodrive and Richards had the Midas touch – with few exceptions, they produced winners.
If Ian Wagstaff’s book on the firm’s 40-year history has one shortcoming, it’s the feeling that it is too anecdotal, too brief. So many of the Prodrive initiatives deserve a book of their own, and many already exist. What Porter Press and the author have realised is a finely-manufactured showcase with a quality hardback cover and finishing, costing a very moderate sum. It surely makes a fine gift for Prodrive’s most-appreciated guests and clients. But as a reader, it leaves you longing for more. Fortunately, The DBR9, the Ferrari 550, the Impreza, all have lively, extremely well-documented books on them, should you want to learn more.
To Wagstaff and Richards’ credit, the current book about Prodrive is more than a company brochure. Tricky episodes like Colin McRae’s refusal to give way to team-mate, Carlos Sainz, in the 1995 Rally Catalunya are present in what should be considered Prodrive’s official history book. Also clear is that missing out on overall victory at Le Mans still hurts David Richards… and is something worth following up.
Author: Ian Wagstaff
ISBN: 978193089047
Publisher: Porter Press
Pages: 192
Price: €47.95 ($45.33)
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