Final fling for the Metro 6R4 at Rallye Sunseeker

In the coming weeks, Stuart and Simon Larbey will be competing one last time at the Rallye Sunseeker International based in the forests of Ringwood in their iconic ex-works Metro 6r4.

The MG Metro 6r4 was an iconic “Group B” rally car of the 1980’s, a period renowned for the raw power and immense speed through the gravel forest stages worldwide. After 26 years of competitive rallying, this iconic car will have one final competitive outing before retiring from national events.

The car, currently owned by Stuart Larbey was a former works car, driven by UK rally legend Tony Pond in the famous 1986 Rallye de Portugal Vinho Porto. The 4WD, 6 cylinder MG Metro 6r4 was developed by Williams Grand Prix Engineering in the early eighties to compete on the international stage, achieving 0-60 in 2.8 seconds, with a top speed of 130mph. Despite limited success internationally, the car was and still remains a raucous crowd pleaser, famous for the high pitched roar that echoes through the forests as the car tackles the stages.

Stuart has competed in this infamous car all over the UK for nearly fifteen years and more recently used the car at events such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where Stuart won driver of the day in 2006 and 2009 respectively.

Driver, Stuart and co-driver Simon, a Father and Son team from Chichester have been rallying together for the last eight years in the 6R4 and are hugely excited to run this celebrated car competitively one last time. The Rallye Sunseeker has been the team’s local event for a number of years and the Father/Son team have mixed feeling for the event. Stuart remarked: “We are immensely excited and sad to end the cars competitive career in Bournemouth, it has been a pleasure to rally and we would like to thank all the support we have received over the years. Sadly, the car is not as quick as it once was, but does still spit flames from the exhausts! Nevertheless, we feel its right to retire the car now. We look forward to seeing you in the Ringwood forests in a few weeks”.
– Credit: www.rally.ie