[40 Years Ago Today]
In October 1985, CAR reported on the state of the rally world with one of the most mismatched twin-tests ever seen
Peugeot, Audi, and even Austin-Rover, are evolving their rally cars into multi-million pound extravaganzas,’ reported Chris Harvey in CAR’s October 1985 issue. Despite its high profile and media exposure, Group B rallying hadn’t been universally popular, not least with many of the world’s rally organisers. Rallying had once been one of the most accessible forms of motorsport, only a mildly-prepared car was required for entry, and until some savage legislation landed in 1984 which limited 12-car rallying to a 30mph average, any enthusiast could enjoy high-speed action on public roads with their local motor club.
To analyse the landscape of rallying, CAR pitted the hugely successful and multiple title-winning Peugeot 205T16, ‘currently the world’s most successful rally car,’ against a £5000 Lada Riva 1300 – one of the cheapest new cars on the market in 1985 – prepared for the RAC Rally event by Colin Clifford of Monza Motors for less than £1000. Did the grass-roots spirit of rallying still exist in a changing world where, ‘despite the radical appearance of Peugeot’s rally wagon, the accent is on keeping its production 205GTi “look” as a marketing tool.’
‘Rally organisers have grown to love Ladas,’ explained Harvey. ‘They last well and maintain interest at the end of the field.’ Sometimes they did even better. “One of our drivers even came close to catching Russell Brookes on one stage of the Welsh,” claimed Clifford. “We’ve won team prizes now for two years running. With bits and pieces of sponsorship we even came out of it with £15 profit.”
As a result, Lada Cars (GB)’s Challenge offered cash prizes for the ten highest-placed crews across eight club rallies, one national and one international. Thanks to the firm’s backing, international rally entry fees had been negotiated down to £100 from £280 for Lada crews.
By contrast, Clifford noted that on one rally where only oil levels and tyre pressures had needed topping up, Tony Pond’s MG Metro 6R4 had required three service barges and multiple axle rebuilds. The 205T16 was said to be ‘surprisingly easy to drive’ and ‘awe-inspiring;’ the cornering process was easy yet punishingly uncomfortable. Gavin Green noted Ari Vatanen had nearly been killed in one, and had written off nine in total.
A year later, rallying’s Group B era came to an end, with a ban following a series of fatal accidents. The focus switched back to production-based classes, and a new golden age of accessibility began. Slow and steady, it seems, sometimes wins the race.
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