I don't know how many of you are old gits like me and will remember him, but I have just been very saddened to hear the news that Tony Pond passed away on Thursday night from Pancreatic Cancer. I remember some of his storming drives like the 1977 RAC when he was lying second in a TR7 until the darn thing fell apart under him. He also had some amazing drives on the Manx International Rally. In 1978 he won driving a TR7V8 that was truly awesome to watch and probably most impressive in 1984 came second overall in a production SD1 Rover.
One of lifes gentlemen and were he twenty years younger, Messrs McRae and Burns would have more than their hands full!
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I can certainly remember Tony, having owned several V8 SD1's myself I was always interested in how he fared. I'm sure that on one RAC he had one of the first in car cameras although it didn't bring him much luck, as I recall he slid into a tree on the first stage. can anyone else remember that?
Rob S
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Yes it was at Knowsley Safari park which if I remember correctly was the first stage of the RAC which had started in Chester. I can't remember which year though.
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Thanks Peter,
Yes! I am from that era and I'm very saddened at the news.
He was a real talent.
Thanks for the info.
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Thanks for posting - I hadn't heard. I also remember Tony going for the average 100mph round the TT track on the IOM - in a production Rover - I think he got it too after a few practice runs !
I have a video of the infamous tree crash, and infact the whole rally - I'll certainly be watching it.
Those were the days!!
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Yes I must agree with Peter's sentiments - as another old git! Tony was from the era of true rallying.
What else can I say but a sad loss.
Andrew (Flat in fourth)
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I'm sad to hear that. Tony Pond was one of the big names when I first took an interest in motor sport.
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Sad news. Didn't he drive the Metro 6R4 rally car as well? Can't remember whether he won anything in it.
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Thanks for the news Peter I had missed that though he has been ill for some time,
Tony was a gent and this makes another old git feel very old indeed.
Tony was the first and only driver to do the 100 IOM lap in a Rover 827 Vitesse actually, it was of course (ahem) standard.
TR7 or was it a TR8 and I seem to recall he was more consistent than Malcolm (Wilson) in a 6R4.
Sad news indeed,
S
PS Andrew (Flat in Fourth!) nice to have you on the team.
So Eric Carlsson was Flat in Third in his 2 stroke Saab, who is going to be Flat in Sixth?
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Peter,
It seems wrong to say thanks for the post, but you know what I mean.
I had no idea that he had been ill. What a bloody shame. Until quite recently I believe he was still doing development work for Rover, and I am sure he had lost none of "it". That 100mph lap of the IOM was quite something - I remember seeing the film of it some years back. Also remember seeing live that TR8 through the RAC stages in Wales - well wicked. A great loss.
Adam
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