The Raining Champions features three wonderfully evocative films with action from 11 gripping races from 1975 and 1976. Once again we see heroes McCullough, Dunlop, Kennedy, Robinson, Grant, Rutter, Herron and Alexander in action, and they are joined by Percy Tait, Charlie Williams, Stan Woods and a young Steve Parrish.
The first of the three archive gems on the DVD, Raining Champions, charts the 1976 North West 200, with highlights of four enthralling dices on the wet roads of County Antrim,including the amazing battle between the works entries from Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha and the heroics of the British
Spartans. This was the first year of the Magic Roundabout, and we eavesdrop as Grant and Rutter discuss the course and the potential dangers of this new feature.
Next, The Embassy Final 1975 takes us to the Kirkistown circuit, and the exceptional colour footage treats us to some amazingly close racing – not least the showdown between McCullough and Dunlop. Finally, we travel to Dundrod for the 1975 Ulster Grand Prix and action from four races – including the first ever Superbike race at the Ulster. It is packed with history, including McCullough’s domination of the 350cc race, Tait’s emotional superbike win, the dramatic rain-hit 500cc contest and McCullough turning out for the 250cc on a Harley Davidson!
Alongside the archive footage are newly-filmed introductions featuring TAS Racing team owner Hector Neill, road racing commentary giant Derek ‘Big D’ Mason and racing legend Tommy Robb, each bringing a new appreciation to three classic confrontations, perfectly setting the scene before
we are treated to truly historic showdowns.
In addition, Raining Champions includes two fascinating features filmed specially for the DVD. In the first, Trevor Steele, an original member of the Dromara Destroyers, talks about the rivalry with the Armoy Armada. In the second, important racing figures past and present – including Isle of Man
TT legend John McGuinness, World Superbike Champion James Toseland and multiple Duke Road Race Rankings champion Ryan Farquhar – reflect on the impact of road racing in the 1970s.
95 minutes of truely nostalgic road racing footage from Northen Ireland in the mid-1970\'s. I was a mere twinkle in my mother\'s eye when these boys were racing! Skinny tyres and road racing in the wet in the 1970\'s is not for the feint hearted, a far cry from the saftey and organisation you see today, these boys are REAL heros. |
