1984

  • The first 240bhp MG Metro 6R4 is launched at Heathrow Airport. Tony Pond takes the wheel for a number of demo laps around a specially constructed circuit.
  • The 6R4 makes its debut on the York national rally in the hands of Pond. Despite setting eight fastest stage times, the car grinds to a halt with alternator failure.
  • The car achieves its first rally finish on the Mewla national rally. Pond finishes the event in third place.
  • Austin Rover steps up its work to prepare the 6R4 to GpB specification. The work centres around the development of a V6 engine that will deliver 350-390bhp
  • Frank Williams, the man whose F1 team undertook the early development  of the 6R4, samples the car for himself. Tom Walkinshaw drives him around Donington Park.

1985

  • The 6R4 notches up its first overall rally victory on the Skip Brown Cars Gwynedd rally. In a longer wheelbase car to improve stability, Pond is unstoppable.
  • The new Gp B specification 6R4 takes its first win in the hands of Pond on the Auto Fit Stages Rally.
  • The MG Metro 6R4 takes its biggest step towards he world stage when its homologated into Gp B by FISA on October 31.

1986

  • David Llewellin records a crushing victory on the Rothmans Circuit of Ireland. He guides his Metro 6R4 to a nine minute winning margin over Russell Brookes.
  • Frenchman Didier Auriol gives his 6R4 its first victory on foreign soil when he wins the Rouergue Rally in his homeland. The French rally Championship ace is more than eight minutes ahead.
  • Malcolm Wilson becomes the first British driver to win a rally on Finnish soil when he takes his Metro 6r4 to victory on the Mantta rally. It was the first time he had finished an event in the British car.
  • Auriol wins the French Rally Championship in a Metro 6R4 prepared by British preparation firm, rally Engineering developments (RED). It is the British cars first Championship success.
  • A number of world championship events end in failure for 6R4 works drivers. Tony Pond and Malcolm Wilson respectively fail to reach the finish in Monte Carlo, Sweden an Portugal.
  • Wilson performs admirably against a raft of local talent to finish the 1000 lakes Rally in Finland in 10th place in his Austin Rover World championship Team 6R4.
  • Wilson guides his Metro 6R4 to fourth on the Rally San Remo before FISA the governing body of world motorsport at the time declares the results annulled following realization that Peugeot had been running illegal side skirts on its Peugeot 205 T16 E2.
  • Pond brings the curtain down on the 6R4’s participation at the highest level of rallying by finishing sixth on the RAC Rally.