Comments on: Ayrton Senna – Rally Driver

By: Edd Walch

Edd Walch — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:44:17 +0000

I too recall that os one of the most amazing and memorable articles in any mag I have ever read.
The fact the CCC managed to bring Ayrton to wet Wales and show just what a true professional and driver with such a high level of talent he was, is still something a coup not eveN equalled let alone bettered by any publication since.
I used to subscribe to CCC over at least a 10 year period and had a pile of back issues until various house moves forced their displosal – I, unfortunately no longer have that issue and was inspired to take up one of CCC’s special offers of a day at Jan Churchill’s Welsh Forest Rally school. It was a great day, sadly not accompanied by Mr Senna or Mr Bulgin, but a great day all the same.
All I can say is a big thank you to all involved, sadly, postumously in a couple of cases, for the enrichment features like that bring to the world.

By: PHIL LILLEY

PHIL LILLEY — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:11:35 +0000

Hi,

I own the metro 6r4 Ayrton drove that day. I would love the chance to purchase copies of any photos of ayrton with the metro.

regards phil lilley

By: Ayrton Senna the home movie. Senna driving rally cars in Wales

Ayrton Senna the home movie. Senna driving rally cars in Wales — Mon, 09 May 2011 20:04:50 +0000

[...] to seeing the Ayrton Senna movie and indeed the anniversary of his death was just this past week, so a blog post I wrote two years ago here still receives traffic and comments. It was about that famous (in the UK) article in the then great Cars and Car Conversions magazine [...]

By: Steve Bennett

Steve Bennett — Mon, 09 May 2011 15:51:15 +0000

Hi Neill,
Don’t suppose you were expecting a response to this two years down the line, but I’ve just found the youtube footage of Senna and the CCC rally car test from ’86. That prompted a further search and I found this.
I was there as Art Ed for CCC. It was my second or third issue, and my first job from college. An amazing experience. Met Ayrton at Slough Holiday Inn with Russell and then we travelled in convoy to Jan Churchill’s Rally School in Wales. He was a star throughout, happy to muck in, and we had a very enjoyable meal round the Churchill’s huge kitchen table the night prior to the test. Needless to say the test itself was one of the most memorable days of my career.
We set up a group cover shot with Ayrton standing in front of all the cars (I can hear my voice on the youtube vid directing), but when it came to designing the cover I argued long and hard for the In car shot, taken by Norman Hodson. The ‘framed’ look was a bit of a Car rip off if I’m honest, but I was always pleased with it and I think it’s stood the test of time.
Like Phil Collins I’ve got the same signed and framed pic (it’s the same cover pic) in my office. I think it’s probably the most valuable thing I own! Sadly most of the pics from the day were lost at some point, but I do still have the high quality proofs from the feature. Great memories of both Senna and Russell.

By: Neill Watson

Neill Watson — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:52:06 +0000

Great to hear from you, Phil. What a priceless picture to own! I’d have it guarded with machine guns and laser beams if it was mine.
Russell inspired me into rallying and his words still read well today when you come across them. My copy of Triple C is a keeper.

By: Phil Collins

Phil Collins — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:40:34 +0000

I have a great picture on my office wall of Ayrton sitting in our Sierra Cosworth with the words and signature, ”Thank you for the lessons, Ayrton”. It’s in a poor quality frame and I wanted to put it in a good one with a section of the story in so I just googled up this story to remind myself what a great day it was and how privileged I was to have spent the day with such a legend. For the record the original story was prepared for and published in Car and Car Coversions. You are right though, Russell was a great writer, great company and a very sad loss.

By: zia

zia — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 02:37:43 +0000

yep recall the bodygaurd interview. lovely but of journalism. RIP Russel

By: Scott Brownlee

Scott Brownlee — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:15:08 +0000

Despite being Austin Rover Motorsport Press Officer at the time I did not go to Wales that day.

Amazing how that one story has echoed through the years. There is even a mass produced model of the car.

Bulgin did another unusual Senna story – for Motor I think – about being his body guard over a GP weekend.