When he's pushed on who his rallying heroes were as a lad growing up in the 1970s, Martyn Walby pauses and reflects on a bygone era when British Championship rallies were 250+ stage miles over two, three and even four days or the five day, 500 mile events sponsored by the RAC.

"These boys were a different breed," he said.

"My heroes were obviously Graham Elsmore, always King of Dean, Ari Vatanen for his 100 per cent flamboyant style, and lastly Russell Brookes, one of only a few British drivers who could match the pace of the Finns."

This Saturday (22nd October) Martyn will team up with Russell in the Opel Manta 400 which he drove to victory on the Welsh International Rally in 1985.

Brookes will be doing course car duties on the Weston-Super-Mare Motor Club's Regency Stages, taking place at the Royal Bath and West Showground near Shepton Mallet.

For full story see Beacon 19/10/11.