2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the launch of one of the most iconic rally cars of the 20th Century.

To celebrate the moment when Austin Rover Motorsport unveiled the Metro 6R4 project, a dinner and forum will take place at the Bugatti Owners’ Club Clubhouse at Prescott Hillclimb on Friday November 1st, with some of the leading figures involved in the project on hand to talk about it.

The date is the day before the Club’s hugely popular Rallye Prescott when a number of 6R4s are scheduled to be on display and in action.

Among those who will be speaking at the dinner is John Davenport. The former Director of Motorsport for British Leyland first spoke to Williams Grand Prix Engineering in 1981 about developing a car to be a challenger in the World Rally Championship and saw the project through to competing on some of the world’s most prestigious and challenging rallies.

Also on hand will be David Llewellin who drove the car to its first international rally win on the 1986 Circuit of Ireland. David will also be at Rallye Prescott the following day where he will take the 6R4 owned by historic rally frontrunner Nick Elliott up the Hill.

Ian Grindrod co-drove the Rothmans Rally Team 6R4 of Jimmy McRae through the 1986 season, their results including victory on that year’s Ulster Rally while chairing the discussion on the evening will be Ian’s fellow co-driver and current President of the BTRDA Mike Broad who would often be found in the co-driver’s seat of rival marques.

Wynne Mitchell was chief engineer for the team with responsibility for preparing the cars and keeping them running on events while Alistair Roberts was team co-ordinator and logistics specialist for R.E.D. who ran 6R4s driven by, among others, Harri Toivonen and David Llewellin, including the car that David took to victory on the 1986 Circuit of Ireland. It was also R.E.D. who took the 6R4 to its first Championship title, with Didier Auriol claiming the French Rally Championship.

A limited number of tickets, which include a two-course dinner, are available from the web site Prescotthillclimb.co.uk. Doors open for the event open at 7.00pm with event starting at 7.30pm and concluding at 11.00pm.

DINNER MENU

Steak and ale pie with creamy mash and greens

Or

Butternut squash leek and butter bean filo parcel with creamy mash and greens

Followed by

Apple, cinnamon and hazelnut crumble with custard