This book is a hybrid. On the one hand, Ed Heuvink and John Davenport were interested in documenting the history of the Ford Escort RS1600, which won the East African Safari Rally in 1972. On the other hand, the work has become much more comprehensive and also provides a look back at Ford's rally entries in the 1950s to 1970s, as well as the history of the Safari Rally.
A book about cars and their drivers
Ford began participating in rally racing at an early stage, sending American models to the Monte Carlo Rally and using the Cortina and Escort models, as well as the Capri, the Anglia and the Zephyr in a wide variety of configurations. However, the most successful vehicle type away from the racetrack was undoubtedly the Escort, which was initially successful with the Lotus Twincam engine and later with the BDA-1600 engine.
Behind the wheel were the rally greats of the time, not least Hannu Mikkola, who was ultimately responsible for the success at the 1972 Safari. His co-driver Gunnar Palm describes him as a real fighter whose stamina always surprised and impressed him.
These two men not only won the 1972 Safari but also contributed to the book in a personal foreword.
A book about a rally
The Safari Rally is of course at the heart of the book, as it was the rally that the Ford Escort RS1600 with registration number RWC 455K won in 1972 and to which the entire book is dedicated.
The history of the East African Safari Rally is also discussed accordingly. It was first held in 1953 as the "Coronation Safari", but was not given its final name until a few years later, just like its inclusion in the World Rally Championship calendar.
The Safari Rally was regarded as one of the most difficult rallies ever and, at over 5000 km, also as the longest and perhaps last major road race, after similar events such as the Liege-Sofia-Liege Rally had long since been abandoned.
From the point of view of the Ford Escort portrayed, it makes sense to review Ford's entire history of participation in the Safari Rally.
A book about a very specific car
RWC 455K was driven to the top of the podium at the 1972 East African Safari Rally. It was a Ford Escort RS1600 with a BDA engine optimized for this purpose. The preparations began before Christmas the previous year and are described in the book in the same way as the rally itself. It not only makes for exciting reading, it is also extremely informative.
The fact that the rest of the history of the car, which is now in Swiss ownership and took part in a beauty contest at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in 2016 in highly unusual surroundings, in its original paintwork and with the battle scars of the '72 Safari event.
A book with attractive visual material
As is to be expected when McKlein publishes a book, the visual material is convincing and impressive from the first to the last page. Only with the static photos showing the car today could one have imagined a little more. But when it comes to the historic rally pictures, the selection is certainly excellent. And you could buy the book for that alone.
Who is this book for?
Ford Escort fans who speak English should certainly take a closer look at this book, but it is also aimed at people who love rallying as a whole. At EUR 79.90 it is not exactly cheap, but after all the edition is limited and the book is printed to a high standard, including slipcase.
Bibliographic information
- Title: Ford Escort RS1600 - The story of the 1972 Safari Rally winning Escort RWC 455K
- Authors: Ed Heuvink with John Davenport
- Language: English
- Publisher: McKlein Publishing
- Edition: 1st edition, July 21, 2017 (999 copies)
- Format: 29 x 29 cm, hardcover in slipcase
- Scope: 158 pages, approx. 80 color and 110 black and white illustrations
- ISBN: 978-3927458987
- Price: EUR 79.90
- Buy/order: Online at amazon.de, online at McKlein Verlag or in relevant bookstores
