John Welch

In a career of more than 20-years, Welch won two British Championships and a famous victory in the 1985 British Rallycross Grand Prix. Yet his greatest contribution is probably the bar-raising professionalism, presentation and development of commercial partnerships.

Beginning in rallycross with a Mk1 Escort, Welch became a fixture of the front running British drivers both at home and abroad. He came close to winning the British Championship several times, but the title eluded him until 1984. He then won again in 1986 – the first driver to take the crown in a four-wheel drive car.

Switching from Ford to General Motors, Welch used a Group S-based Vauxhall/Opel Astra from 1987 until the end of his career, the highlight of which remains his battling drive to victory in the 1985 British Rallycross Grand Prix, in which he became the first British victor.