Rover mounted its biggest ever challenge on the World Rally Championships in 1985 with the debut of the Metro 6R4 at the Lombard RAC Rally.

Following a multi-million-pound development programme, the Patrick Head-designed 410 BHP rear-engined V6, capable of 0 - 100 in 4 seconds, carried Rover’s hopes of real success.

With top drivers such as Tony Pond, David Llewellyn and Colin McRae at the wheel, the raucous roar of the 4WD 6R4 became a familiar sound at some of the most gruelling of rallies. At the end of 1986 after only two seasons these supercars were banned from international rallying but continued to show their mettle in rallycross.

This fast and furious circuit racing, where the gravel meets tarmac, finds Metros hurtling neck and neck around the track. Bent, bruised and battered the 6R4’s battle it out to the end in the British National Championship, with some brilliant onboard footage and spectacular crash action.

Today the Metro 6R4 shows no signs of fading away and is once more competing on the national rally scene with as much power and audacity as ever...