Before the days of Ken Block and the gymkhana craze, fans of dramatic displays of driving turned to Rally Sprint for their kicks. Back in 1983, before the governing bodies prevented Formula One drivers from competing simultaneously in any other category, Rally Sprint was an event that collected the best of the time and judged their ability on a loose surface, on a tight autocross course as well as against one another on a circuit. Each event features different Austin Rover cars from that era, as this was largely an event meant to publicize their newest production cars.

Mansell versus Blomqvist: two legends battle in their MG Maestros.

The first and most eye-opening of the three events is, without question, the rally stage. With respected rally stars like Blomqvist and Pond competing against Formula 1 legends like Mansell and Watson, it subtly inquires into which breed of driver is the quickest and most adaptable. The drivers are given a lightly-modified Rover SD1 to wrestle through a tight, tree-lined course. With a good amount of weight, a long wheelbase, rear wheel-drive and a 300 horsepower V8 under the hood, this car proves a challenge to all of the accomplished contenders.

The second event sees the drivers in tiny, 1300 cc MG Metro hatchbacks to spin a series of J-turns, 180s and 360s through a cone-lined autocross course where lots of aggression is rewarded. Lest you think the rally drivers would be trouncing the Formula 1 racers at this point, the third and final event puts them against one another on the Donington circuit in the 1600 cc MG Maestro. Here, the road racers are given a chance to showcase their racecraft, however, the results are a bit of a surprise. Which school of driving breeds the better driver? Watch and find out.