TO UNEARTH the top driver and rider of the best part of a century, a six-man panel with eyes delving back as far as the 30s, met around the table.

The oldest was lifelong motorsport fan Yves Cataroche, 88, the youngest, former rider Paul van der Tang, who is in his 40s.

In between, Jim Spicer, 82, a championship-winning driver in the fifties, GMC&CC club stalwart Amos Ozanne, another former car champion in Roger King and veteran bike rider Bill Cohu.

And in the time it takes to play a Muratti Vase final, the panel came up with the top five riders, top five drivers and the all-time kings of the sand on two and four wheels.

Cars

King of the sands: Maurice Ogier.

Joint runners-up: Geoff Cohen, Roger King, Dave Lowe and Jimmy Spicer.

Bikes

King of the sands: John Whalley.

Joint runners-up: Ken Tostevin, Bill Green, Robbie Froome and Hughie Saunders.