Former BMC apprentice, engineer and international rally competitor Pablo Raybould, has established a reputation as a prolific motorsport author and Willpower will be his tenth book!
His no-nonsense writing style is succinct with painstaking research invested in the chosen subject, invariably well-illustrated with copious and uniquely sourced images. Willpower forms a comprehensive motorsport biopic of road and stage rally legend Will Sparrow.
Sparrow started rallying in the 1960s and his giant-killing performances encouraged many aspiring drivers to take up motorsport. Such was the success of this naturally talented driver and engineer that turned his hobby into a successful business.
But despite being perhaps best known for his stage and road rallying prowess in BMC Mini derivatives, more than 50% of Sparrow’s successes were achieved with Dealer Team Vauxhall machinery including Viva, Firenza and Magnum before joining General Motors to prepare and drive a Mopar sponsored Chrysler Avenger.
Other competition cars used successfully by this versatile driver included Opel Manta, Ford Escort Mexico, RS1600 & 2000, Toyota Celica and latterly, a venerable Reliant Scimitar GT, used for historic, regularity type events.
Sparrow’s cars were usually prepared by his own garage and preparation company in Alcester and his glittering Alumni of co-drivers included: Nigel Raeburn, Rodney Spokes, Mike Broad, Ron Crellin, Geraint ‘Verglas’ Phillips and Richard Hudson-Evans on the 1975 Avon Tour of Britain.
This high-quality hardback volume leaves no stone unturned relating to each and every event in which Sparrow competed, 1963 – 1984 and the book’s profundity of information and detail is encyclopedic. Arranged chronologically, the first edition of the 450-page, 410,000-word book was limited to just 100 copies, but a second run has already been commissioned, such has been the demand.
Illustrated with a plethora of photographs, correspondence, specifications, entry lists, results, press-cuttings, event reports and sales literature, the book provides a summary of each event, be it a success or failure.
It seems that Sparrow was meticulous in maintaining detailed records of his career including results, photographs and correspondence. Following his death in September 2023 at the age of 78 the author acquired all his memorabilia and volar – he embarked on creating this niche autobiography!
Maintaining Pablo’s straight-forward style of writing, the self-published book eschews flowery celebrity forewords and after only two pages dedicated to Will Sparrow’s childhood and formative years, drills straight down into the nitty-gritty of the national and international events in which he competed.
For sure this tome provides fascinating and essential reading for anyone with an interest in motorsport during the 1960s/70s and considering the work that went into it, represents astonishing value at £50 + £9 UK P&P and available only from: pablo.raybould@blueyonder.co.uk
© Ken Davies
