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WRC - A trip back in the 80’s

Day 1,591, 14:47 • Published in Australia Canada

• by Ryan Southcombe

WRC - A trip back in the 80’s : Monsters Of Group B’ (To remember and learn)

In the 80’s the World Rally Champioship (aka WRC) started with changes in regulations, which put an end to the role of the bygone Group 1-4. Those changes led in the creation of the categories N, A and B. The two first joined the simplest car versions (Gr 1-2), while the third joined racing categories 3-4. The regulations for Group B required the manufacturers to build only 200 road cars, very much lower than Group A's 5000 cars. Besides, more modifications were allowed for the race version. Therefore car makers could put as much state-of-the-art technology as possible into their racing cars. That point was the "loophole" in the new changes to enable the supercars’ manufacturers catapulting horsepower and speeds. But in hunting of performance that followed, the "loophole" proved deathly as it devoured three lives and the sense of security rally.

This created a golden era in motor rallying history - Audi, Lancia, Peugeot, Ford, Citroen and Austin Rover created many super rally cars to compete in World Rally Championship, all with at least 400 horsepower, lightweight Kevlar body and most of them were mid-engined and 4-wheel drive also. Recalling that period, motor rally enthusiasts always regard that as the best moment of their life. WRC had never been as exciting as that period.
What a pity the Group B ended in misery. In 1986 season, a series of accidents involving spectators happened. Group B was accused of being too powerful and too light to be controllable. As a result, FIA axed it after that season.

The Rally Cars
Audi Quattro

Ford RS 200

Lancia 037

Lancia Delta S4

Peugeot 205 T16

Rover Metro 6R4

Renault R5 Turbo

Toyota Celica Twin Cam Turbo

The Champions
1983: Hannu Mikkola (Audi Quattro)

1984: Stig Blomqvist (Audi Quattro)

1985: Timo Salonen (Peugeot 205 T16)

1986: Juha Kankkunen (Peugeot 205 T16)

Writen by Alexcop
29 March 2012

and for mgb guy