Autosport names Audi Quattro as greatest rally car in 70th Anniversary issue

The first issue of Autosport magazine appeared on 25 August 1950 and as part of our celebrations we took on the challenge of selecting the greatest competition cars from each of the major international categories.

The famous Audi, which made other machines obsolete with its successful use of four-wheel drive, won the rally contest and is one of the Great Car articles in the standalone 70th special.

Rallying expert Nick Garton has spoken to some of the key figures involved in the programme, revealing stories about mistakes that were made and challenges that were overcome.

As well as similar articles on the other winners of the Great Car debates, the special also includes interviews with some of the biggest names in motorsport.

Nine-time World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb opens up about his illustrious career, while multiple Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen and American motorsport giant Roger Penske all feature too.

The theme of the special is 'The Greatest', so we've picked out some of the best motorsport events of the past seven decades. Thirteen years after his death, Colin McRae remains an icon of the sport and his family help us select his 10 finest performances.

When it comes to the UK national racing scene, there is an article by Marcus Pye on the important roles that Cooper and Van Diemen played in the junior single-seater industry, a look back at some of the sport's most interesting and colourful characters, and a history of the 750 Formula, a championship as old as Autosport.

It's not just about the past, we assess what the future of motorsport could look like too, with the help of leading industry experts. There are challenges ahead, but also opportunities.

The 70th celebration includes some stunning photography from the Motorsport Images archive, as well as Giorgio Piola illustrations of the Mercedes W11, which secured the team's record-breaking seventh consecutive F1 constructors' crown.