The Year of the Sierra (1987)
0h 47min
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- Synopsis:
When 1987 started it heralded a new era for rallying. The tragedies of 1986 had seen the awesome Group B machines banned and Group A become the top level of the World Rally Championship. For Ford, '87 saw the arrival of a new challenger to follow in the well-worn wheel-tracks of the Cortina, Escort and RS200 - the Sierra. Already a proven winner on the circuits, it would record an amazing 28 international rally wins and seven European national titles, making it the most successful rally car debut since the Escort 20 years earlier. This film charts the World Rally Championship progress of the Sierra, in both its two-wheel-drive Cosworth and 4x4 guises, as Stig Blomqvist and Kalle Grundel suffer a turbulent time at Monte-Carlo and Corsica. At Finland's 1000 Lakes, Grundel was replaced by Ari Vatanen, and he and Blomqvist were soon battling for podium places - captured here in stunning footage. That success saw Ford commit Blomqvist to the final round of the WRC season, joining the Sierra's of Jimmy McRae, Mark Lovell and more for the RAC Rally - where Sierras held seven of the top 20 positions, bringing an excellent end to a remarkable maiden WRC campaign. All of these rallies are captured in breathtaking action footage, including awesome film of the other stars and cars of the day - including the Lancia Delta HF and Mazda 323. This video not only follows the Sierra's WRC appearances - including the contributions of Carlos Sainz and Didier Auriol in Corsica - but also features highlights from all six rounds of the '87 British Rally Championship as McRae took the Sierra to title triumph. There's also a full list of the car's European rally wins and the World Touring Car Championship victories secured on the way to the Manufacturer's title, plus a brief but exciting look at the awesome RS200 in rallycross-winning action. This was an outstanding season for Ford and there can be no doubt 1987 was The Year of the Sierra. - Actors:
- Stig Blomqvist, Ari Vatanen, Jimmy McRae
- Narrated By:
- Steve Ryder
- Studio:
- Duke
- Genres:
- Children & Family, Documentary, Special Interest, Sports & Sport Films
