John L. Matthews

Madness on Wheels

Richard Heap, John L. Matthews

Denise Cooke, John Davenport

In the 1980s rallying was more popular than Formula 1. 'Group B' machines had taken the world by storm. De-regulation opened the way for the most exciting cars ever to hit the motor sport scene. Nothing like it has ever happened since. 'This is the fastest rallying there has ever been' - Peter Foubister. For four wild and crazy years manufacturers scrambled to build ever more powerful cars to be driven by fearless mavericks who could handle the extreme power. The sport was heading out of control and the unregulated mayhem ended abruptly in 1986 after a series of horrific tragedies. This is the story of when fans, ambition, politics and cars collided.

Madness in the Desert: The Paris to Dakar Story

John L. Matthews

In 1977 French motorcyclist Thierry Sabine was in serious trouble, lost in the Libyan Desert and dying from thirst. Whilst most men would weep and think back over their lives, Thierry thought about coming back - to do a rally across the Sahara Desert. The 9000km Paris-Dakar, the world's craziest race, was born. The rally became a beacon for eccentric adventurers battling the terrain in customised vehicles, seduced by the romance of the desert and the extreme challenge. It soon became a victim of its own rapid success, shrouded in controversy, overwhelmed by corporate interests, responsible for over 60 deaths and decreed vulgar by the Vatican. Finally, in 2008, this incredible event was brought to an end by terrorism. This is the story of the biggest motorsport event the world has ever seen and one of the greatest challenges of human endeavour ever conceived, from those that took part. How the West took on a landscape of incredible beauty and scale. And lost.

Joey: The Man Who Conquered the TT

John L. Matthews

Joey Dunlop, Cally Elise Statham

A heartfelt and intimate documentary of one of the most remarkable sportsmen of all time, told by some of his closest friends, colleagues and rivals. The Isle of Man TT is the most dangerous motorcycle race in the world. Over 230 people have died trying to conquer the 37 3/4 mile circuit, regarded as the ultimate thrill ride for any racer. On June 7th 2000, pub landlord and supremo of road racing Joey Dunlop won this race for a staggering 26th time. Less than one month later Joey would be dead, killed in a freak accident in the woods of Estonia. This is the incredible story of how one determined middle aged man of almost 50 years old beat the odds, only to be cut down in tragic circumstances. This is the story behind Joey Dunlop, told by those that were there.