When i left you last, we just finished with the Lancia Stratos, which spanned they years from 1973-1981.  These were fierce cars that competed well beyond them being dropped as a factory car and being replaced by the Fiat 131 Abarth.  And what a car it was, scoring it's first win in 1976 in the Elba Rally, a non WRC event, but an event none the less to give the car a proper shake down before actual competition.  It's first WRC win came at the 1976 1000 Lakes Rally in Finland in the hands of the always capable Markku Alén, and it's last WRC Victory came in 1980 at the San Remo Rally with one of the greatest rally drivers ever at the wheel, Walter Röhrl.  With it's stout 1995 cc engine cranking out 230 HP, 5 speed gear box, and it's sure footed rear wheel drive set up, it picked up right where the Stratos left off, winning.  And win it did well, racking up 18 rally wins, and 2 manufacturer championships. 

But there was much more going on other than Fiat taking the limelight, Ford had it's hands full as well and in that era the Ford Escort RS1800 Mk.2 was no slouch with 17 rally wins in it's own right, never won a manufacturers title in that time, but they always came mighty close.  Ford also had some of the greatest Rally drivers in their cars during that time as well.  Names like Timo Makinen, Bjorn Waldegârd, and Ari Vatanen.  There were set up very much like the Fiat 131 Abarth, which seemed to be the winning formula.  That formula worked well.

Then there were other that may not have won much, but were none the less very special because of who drove them.  One that comes to mind was the Talbot Sunbeam Lotus.  With only 2 rally wins in the WRC and they did get the Manufacturers title in 1981 despite only winning one rally, the Argentina Rally, and that was driven by Guy Frêquelin.  But there was another who drove this car to a victory in 1980 in the R.A.C. Rally in the UK, and that was none other than Henri Toivonen.  If you are following my series, remember that name, because, not only was he destined to be one of the greatest rally world, but is very significant in 1986 as you will see in a later blog. 

Fast forward to the 1981 season, this is what most consider the first step of Group B Rallying, even though it was not official yet.  Along comes Audi, Now since the WRC championship had to be contested in cars from the factory and a large homoligation rule, Audi decided to use the rallies to test and show off their Quattro all wheel drive system.  This did cause some concern with the other teams, but, for the most part, they seen it as a publicity stunt.  Boy were they wrong.  They came into the 1981 Championship and won 3 Rallies, and just when the other teams thought that Audi did what they would do and go away with their fools errand, they came back with a massive vengeance in the 1982 season winning 7 of 12 rallies, at one time winning 3 rallies in a row.  The proved that the all wheel drive formula was a major force to be reckoned with, and Audi planned to make the other WRC teams reckon with them as much as possible. 

Tune in next time as I cover a pint sized fire breather and the first purpose built Group B rally car.