Tony Fall

Fall’s Acropolis victory remains one of the standout moments in Mini rally history and solidified his place among the top British drivers of the era.

• Mini Cooper S: His primary works car during the 1960s; Fall used its agility and reliability to his advantage on rough and winding European stages.
• Opel Kadett and Ascona (late career): Drove for Opel in the 1970s, later managing their motorsport program and contributing to development success.

Fall’s smooth, conservative driving made him ideal for endurance rallies where preserving the car was as critical as outright speed.

Tony Fall was renowned for his clean, technically sound driving style and intelligent approach to pacing and strategy. Rather than taking unnecessary risks, he relied on consistency and car control to outlast faster but less disciplined rivals. After retiring from competition, Fall transitioned into team management, leading Opel’s European rally efforts during the 1970s and later founding SAFIR Engineering, which restored historic rally cars and ran events that helped preserve rally heritage. His dual contributions as a competitor and organizer have made him a respected figure in British and international rallying history.

Fall partnered with co-drivers such as Mike Wood and Brian Coyle during the 1960s, emphasizing precise communication and disciplined stage management. His feedback to BMC engineers was instrumental in the ongoing development of the Mini Cooper S for rally conditions. Later, in his leadership roles, Fall’s focus on teamwork, logistics, and talent development helped shape competitive rally squads across Europe.

Whether behind the wheel or behind the scenes, Fall left a lasting impact on the structure and professionalism of international rallying.