As you approach Junction 11 of the M40, having left Bicester at Junction 10, every car person’s eye is drawn to the vast white building bearing the word ‘Prodrive’.
Originally, David Richards’ team had been even closer to what is now Bicester Heritage, having started nearby at his house in 1982 before decamping a few miles up the road. Richards, at this point, had just retired as a world championship-winning co-driver.
There could therefore be no Local Heroes display at the Scramble without Prodrive being represented and doing so will be one of its road-going projects: the Subaru Impreza 22B.
It was with the Subaru Impreza and by running the works team that Prodrive really hit the headlines, thanks largely to the late, great Colin McRae. The Scot had been rallying under the wing of Richards since his prodigious early days and his spectacular style made him the darling of all British rally fans. All British motorsport fans, in fact. And then gamers, thanks to his unforgettable PlayStation game.
Double World Champions in 1995, top of the drivers’ and manufacturers’ standings, winner of the latter again the following year when McRae came runner-up to rival Tommi Mäkinen, it scored a hat-trick when the top two repeated for 1997.
Ralliart was doing for Mitsubishi what Prodrive was doing for Subaru but with one difference: Ralliart was importing cars, too. So when Prodrive started doing the same, in 1998 that meant 16 of the greatest Imprezas of all came in via Banbury: the 22B.
Prodrive made a few small changes to better suit UK roads and today these cars have become so sought after that you’re looking at eye-watering sums of money to get one.
Or Prodrive will make you a new one, the P25 continuation car, for half a million pounds. But such is the pull of Prodrive, because it has brought numerous Le Mans trophies back to Banbury, a Formula 1 constructors’ runners-up trophy, WRC titles and so much more.
The veritable Local Hero will be on the lawn at the Scramble on Sunday 23 April along with a host of other locally produced machinery. Head to Building 123 on the day.
