The History

nephew of the rallycross legend

will gollop

Ted is the nephew of Will Gollop (William Gollop) who is one of Britain's most respected rallycross competitors and engineers.

Born on 16 May 1950, he became involved in motorsport as a teenager while working as an apprentice mechanic. His first competition vehicle was a Mini 850 in autocross events in 1972, which provided the foundation for a career that would span several decades.

Rise in Rallycross

Gollop established himself during the 1970s and 1980s as both a talented driver and a gifted vehicle builder. Unlike many competitors, he was heavily involved in the engineering and preparation of his own race cars, developing expertise in chassis construction, suspension design, four-wheel-drive systems, and engine development.

Over the course of his career he raced a variety of machines, including Minis, Saabs, Triumphs, Fords, Peugeots, and MG Metros. His ability to extract performance from unconventional machinery earned him a reputation as one of rallycross's most innovative competitors.

The Metro 6R4 and European Championship Glory

Gollop's defining achievement came with the legendary MG Metro 6R4. He and his team transformed the Group B-derived car from its naturally aspirated configuration into a highly competitive twin-turbocharged machine.

After several near misses, Gollop won the FIA European Rallycross Championship in 1992. The victory was particularly significant because he secured the title at the age of 42 after seven years of pursuing the championship. The triumph came one year after narrowly losing out to his great rival, Martin Schanche of Norway.

His fierce rivalry with Schanche became one of the defining stories of European rallycross during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Their battles attracted huge crowds and helped elevate the sport's popularity across Europe

Engineering Innovation

What distinguished Gollop from many competitors was his role as both driver and engineer. He frequently started with little more than a bare bodyshell and created highly specialised rallycross cars. His workshop became known for innovative solutions and meticulous preparation, making him one of the sport's most respected technical figures.

The Peugeot 306 Era

In the late 1990s Gollop campaigned a spectacular four-wheel-drive Peugeot 306 Maxi-based rallycross car, another machine that became iconic among rallycross fans. The car demonstrated his continuing commitment to technical innovation and remained one of the most memorable rallycross vehicles of its era.

His legacy

Will Gollop is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern rallycross. He is recognized as Britain's second FIA European Rallycross Champion and remains highly respected for combining driving talent with engineering excellence. His Metro 6R4 and Peugeot 306 projects are considered landmark vehicles in rallycross history.

Even after retiring from full-time competition, Gollop has remained closely associated with the sport, regularly appearing at historic rallycross events where fans continue to celebrate his achievements and contributions to motorsport.

Gollop's legacy is not merely that of a champion driver, but of an innovator whose engineering ingenuity helped shape the evolution of rallycross during one of its most exciting periods.

He now takes his success and knowledge, passing it to his nephew, Ted Shepherd.