Table of Contents

Introduction The Car and the Team Competition Story Sidebars Appendices

About the Author

Graham Robson possesses a world-wide reputation as a motoring historian, and has been close to the sport of rallying for many years. Not only as a competitor, team manager, organiser, reporter, commentator and observer, but above all as an enthusiastic historian, in more than forty years he has never lost touch with the sport. His experience of rallying is worldwide. Not only has he competed in many British and European events, but reported on marathons in South America, and acted as a travelling controller in the legendary London-Mexico World Cup rally. As a recognised authority on many aspects of classic cars and motoring of that period, he is the most prolific of all authors, with more than 120 published books to his credit. Over the years he has owned, driven, described and competed in many of the cars featured in this Landmark Rally Cars series, and his insight into their merits is unmatched.

Reviews

Classics Monthly," April 2007
As with the Lancia Stratos book, this publications traces the history of one of the most successful rally cars ever. Ford's Escort came in RS1600, 2000 and Twin Cam models, and all are covered here with period photos of production lines and cars in competition. A useful book that contains a lot of information for the Escort's many fans.
Viva Lancia! Magazine," February 2007
This is part of Veloce Publishing's 'Rally Giants' series, and is written by senior journalist, rally driver and historian Graham Robson. I'm a fan of Robson's work, and the book doesn't disappoint; it's well written, informative and full of anecdotes and asides, an easy and enjoyable read.
It's lavishly illustrated (some color) and importantly puts the Stratos into context not only against its contemporary rivals, but also against the rally giants that preceded and followed it.
What does it take to qualify as a 'Rally Giant'? Basically a 'giant' is a car that changed the sport, and took it to another level. As a result the Fulvia just misses out but the Stratos and lntegrale are in the higher echelons.
A couple of things irk - the proof readers should have spotted the persistent misuse of effect/affect; and when Robson tries to take us into his confidence "you can work that out for yourself," it doesn't always follow. But this is minor stuff - it's a good book, and good value.
New Zealand" Classic Car," Spring 2007You probably couldn't get 2 rally cars much more different than the Mk 1 Escort- based around a successful family road car- and the Stratos which was really rallying's first 'prototype'; designed just for the purpose. They were almost contemporaries, with the Mk 1 ending its first class career as the Stratos was coming on the scene. Here they form part of a new series: Rally Giants, from Veloce.
Each of these soft cover books has 124 pages and the whole series is authored by the knowledgeable Graham Rob

Old Stager, May 2007
UK magazine

I constantly struggle to see the book that I'm looking for in the bookcase. So, I am delighted to see that the new series of Rally Giants by Graham Robson all have matching grey spines with the name of the featured car clearly marked.

Three have already been released by Veloce Publishing and feature the MkI Escort, Subaru Impreza and the Lancia Stratos.

The books each describe the birth of each 'rally giant' and the author chronicles the development, politics, successes and failures of the cars. The style and format offers an easy read and the ability to dip into each book as and when - one small criticism I have is that several of the side bars merely repeat parts of the main text, but that is only a small niggle.

There are plenty of excellent photos (both mono and color) and sections covering the personalities that shaped the various cars' development as well as the star drivers.

The best news though is that Graham Robson is working on another dozen or so books to include the Austin-Healey 3000 through to the WRC Ford Focus - I can't wait!

The Motor Cycling Club Ltd (MCC), 2007
UK club newsletter

It's three for the price of one this time as I have been reading the Ford Escort Mk1, Subaru Impreza and Lancia Stratos in the Rally Giants series, written by Graham Robson and published by Veloce and thoroughly recommend all three volumes. Priced at $14.99, each has an interesting 8 x 8in format with about 125 pages containing lots of well chosen pictures, mostly in color, so looks impressive enough for the coffee table, yet due to the author's experience and attention to getting his facts right must have a place in the serious enthusiast's bookshelves, from whence they will frequently be taken as a source of reference.

What I really enjoyed most though is the way in which Graham has made a readable tale from what so easily could have been equally factual but totally boring. The author knew and worked in the rally world with the people and events he describes so brings out their characters and the behind the scenes action not always appreciated at the time.

Old Stager, May 2007
UK magazine
I constantly struggle to see the book that I'm looking for in the bookcase. So, I am delighted to see that the new series of Rally Giants by Graham Robson all have matching grey spines with the name of the featured car clearly marked.
Three have already been released by Veloce Publishing and feature the MkI Escort, Subaru Impreza and the Lancia Stratos.
The books each describe the birth of each 'rally giant' and the author chronicles the development, politics, successes and failures of the cars. The style and format offers an easy read and the ability to dip into each book as and when - one small criticism I have is that several of the side bars merely repeat parts of the main text, but that is only a small niggle.
There are plenty of excellent photos (both mono and color) and sections covering the personalities that shaped the various cars' development as well as the star drivers.
The best news though is that Graham Robson is working on another dozen or so books to include the Austin-Healey 3000 through to the WRC Ford Focus - I can't wait!

The Motor Cycling Club Ltd (MCC), 2007
UK club newsletter
It's three for the price of one this time as I have been reading the Ford Escort Mk1, Subaru Impreza and Lancia Stratos in the Rally Giants series, written by Graham Robson and published by Veloce and thoroughly recommend all three volumes. Priced at $14.99, each has an interesting 8 x 8in format with about 125 pages containing lots of well chosen pictures, mostly in color, so looks impressive enough for the coffee table, yet due to the author's experience and attention to getting his facts right must have a place in the serious enthusiast's bookshelves, from whence they will frequently be taken as a source of reference.
What I really enjoyed most though is the way in which Graham has made a readable tale from what so easily could have been equally factual but totally boring. The author knew and worked in the rally world with the people and events he describes so brings out their characters and the behind the scenes action not always appreciated at the time.

Classic & Sports Car," April 2007, UK magazine
This new compact series by C&SC contributor Robson kicks off with three icons of post-WW2 rallying. Each mid-sized softback weighs in at 130 pages, features 100 pictures, and is packed with info.
You get the same foreword in each book, but beyond that each is a well-researched overview, nicely illustrated with period pictures and boxes on the characters, the traumas - and shenanigans - of homologation and more. The appendices list major wins for each model and identify all the works cars, which should settle some arguments!
The publisher says there will be 16 titles in the series, which could get pricey. Next up are Austin-Healeys and Peugeot T16.

Hemmings Sport & Exotic Car, December 2007-US magazine
Graham Robson, himself a rallying expert, tells the Stratos' story, from its creation to the challenge of meeting homologation rules and perfecting its design. Excellent photography, both black-and-white and color, follows the car's life from the 1972 prototype to a large number of exciting rally action photos on dirt, in mud and snow. 'Rally Giants: Lancia Stratos' is an excellent addition to Robson's Rally series, and is an exhaustive look at these famed race cars. Lancia fans and rally enthusiasts alike will enjoy this read.