Tony pond.. R.I.P.
08 February 2002, 04:44 PM
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Anyone who was into rallying will be sad to learn of the death of Tony Pond. He was probably Britains best known driver of the 80,s and became a household name through his many entertaining drives.
Retired from topline rallying in 1986 after the demise of Grp B but took on many roles as test driver etc after. He died today from cancer aged just 56.
Chip.
Retired from topline rallying in 1986 after the demise of Grp B but took on many roles as test driver etc after. He died today from cancer aged just 56.
Chip.
08 February 2002, 04:47 PM
#2
Very sad day indeed.
The Heritage Motor Museum at Gaydon has one of Tony's old TR7 V8 Unipart sponsered cars and I think a Metro 6R4 (Comptervision) he used in 1985/1986.
A great driver and super human being.
My very sincere condolonces to his family.
Richard Etheridge.
The Heritage Motor Museum at Gaydon has one of Tony's old TR7 V8 Unipart sponsered cars and I think a Metro 6R4 (Comptervision) he used in 1985/1986.
A great driver and super human being.
My very sincere condolonces to his family.
Richard Etheridge.
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08 February 2002, 04:53 PM
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Probably the best drive of my life was in the passenger seat of his Rover 800 class car twice round Thruxton.......
Left me speechless then.....
Now once again speechless
J
Left me speechless then.....
Now once again speechless
J
08 February 2002, 05:22 PM
#12
very sad. Too young to have seen him in the 80s but saw him in action in the TR8 at the historic rallysprint a few years ago at silverstone. What a top driver he whooped everyones **** and won then did donuts for the crowd in the TR8 
got that video of him lapping the TT circuit in an 827 too doing 150mph on the isle of man country roads 
RIP Tony
got that video of him lapping the TT circuit in an 827 too doing 150mph on the isle of man country roads RIP Tony
08 February 2002, 05:32 PM
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Can't believe that, 56 
. I grew up watching him rally, everyone would cheer on Brooks, Mcrae Snr, but Pond was the man to watch. The bravest of them as far as I was concerned, would have won the RAC if he'd been allowed to use the best tyres, put everyone to shame at the donnington rallysprints, anyone with a better memory than me, did he hold the isle of man lap record for a car "SDI" ?.
My small personal highlight was letting him past on the 86 RAC "that v6 sounded like a musical instrument" and getting a wave from Rob Authur. Always kept an eye out for his name in autosport when he retired he would turn up in a standared Metro,Rover and run with the leaders. Saw him on tv less than a year ago with a blind driver attempting a speed record.
It'll be strange watching those old videos "Dickie Davies" now
VERY SAD.
. I grew up watching him rally, everyone would cheer on Brooks, Mcrae Snr, but Pond was the man to watch. The bravest of them as far as I was concerned, would have won the RAC if he'd been allowed to use the best tyres, put everyone to shame at the donnington rallysprints, anyone with a better memory than me, did he hold the isle of man lap record for a car "SDI" ?. My small personal highlight was letting him past on the 86 RAC "that v6 sounded like a musical instrument" and getting a wave from Rob Authur. Always kept an eye out for his name in autosport when he retired he would turn up in a standared Metro,Rover and run with the leaders. Saw him on tv less than a year ago with a blind driver attempting a speed record.
It'll be strange watching those old videos "Dickie Davies" now
VERY SAD.
08 February 2002, 05:50 PM
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Sasman. I think he did hold the record on the TT course. He tried to break the 100mph lap in a car but "only" achieved 99.4mph if I remember correctly. It was in the SDi that he did this. Top bloke.
Chip.
Chip.
08 February 2002, 05:53 PM
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Extremely sad news.I remember him well from the 80s rallying days.
A great loss to the rallying community.
I've now just been reminded of something which now seems rather spooky.Yesterday when driving home from work, I was passed by a TR8 on the motorway.My first thought was along the lines of 'you don't see many of those knocking around', followed by 'I remember when they used to rally those motors.what a lovely noise!'
Now today, I hear of the death of one of our rallying greats who will probably be remembered for his link to the TR8 as much as the 6R4.
I've got hairs standing up on my neck!!
A great loss to the rallying community.
I've now just been reminded of something which now seems rather spooky.Yesterday when driving home from work, I was passed by a TR8 on the motorway.My first thought was along the lines of 'you don't see many of those knocking around', followed by 'I remember when they used to rally those motors.what a lovely noise!'
Now today, I hear of the death of one of our rallying greats who will probably be remembered for his link to the TR8 as much as the 6R4.
I've got hairs standing up on my neck!!
08 February 2002, 06:59 PM
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Very sad news.
I remember timekeeping at a rally when his brakes on his 6R4 were glowing RED hot as he'd been going so hard.
My wife has just commented that she remembered him as being very polite to the timekeepers as well. Always the sign of a great rally driver, when they treat the volunteer helpers with respect.
RIP.
I remember timekeeping at a rally when his brakes on his 6R4 were glowing RED hot as he'd been going so hard.
My wife has just commented that she remembered him as being very polite to the timekeepers as well. Always the sign of a great rally driver, when they treat the volunteer helpers with respect.
RIP.
08 February 2002, 07:34 PM
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Very sad day for rallying, I'll never forget the day he drove off the start ramp for the R.A.C. rally in a Rover SD1 V8 and he crashed it into the first tree he came too........R.I.P. Tony this world will be a sadder place without you.
Cheers
Colin
Cheers
Colin
