Sadly in 1986, the Fédération Internationale Du Sport Automobile (FISA), or the International Automobile Racing Federation, the governing body at the time, following a series of terrifying accidents, Group B was ended, a golden era gone for good. Group B had a dark side, with the fatal accidents in 1986 resulting in spectator and driver facilities claiming the lives of Henri Toivonen and Sergio Cresta at Corsica in Rally Portugal.
In years since, the homologation versions of these engineering astonishments have gone from solely nostalgic to sought-after collectable classics with increasing interest and prices to match.
In no particular order, here are just a few of my favourite speed monsters that took rallying by storm.
Quattro
Renault 5 Turbo
Opel Manta
In 1983, the Fédération Internationale Du Sport Automobile (FISA) gave the official stamp of approval, and the Manta 400 would début in Corsica.
The Manta 400 made good use of the Kevlar body panels, hood doors, front wings, rear arches, boot lid and spoiler. Also, the headlight holders were made from lightweight material, unlike the Ascona 400, so the Manta 400 saved a total of 80kg, and the engine was moved back approximately 6cm making the Manta 400 super competitive.
Opel Ascona 400
Subsequently, Opel chose a new second generation of the Manta 400 (the Ascona 400's sister car) to build the new upcoming Group B machine. Both cars would be developed at the same time.
In 1982, the rules allowed the Ascona 400 to change from group 4 to group B. Towards the end of the year Opel made a few improvements to the car (known as phase 2). Eventually, the Ascona 400 gave the Audi Quattro a fantastic fight but fell short in manufacturer’s championship. However, it did produce a second driver’s title for the famous legend rally driver Walter Röhrl.
Sadly, that would be the last time that a driver would win a World Rally Championships in a rear wheeled drive car, which ultimately secures the Ascona 400's spot in motorsport history. In early 1983, in the last event with a victory win at the Safari Rally, Ari Vatanen gave the Ascona 400 a fairy tale ending.
In the next rally, Opel retired the Ascona 400 and switched its rallying effort for International Group B with a new and improved Manta B 400 (phase 3) to be able to score points in the Championship. Unfortunately, notorious engine teething problems and bad timing prevented the Ascona 400 from achieving a successful long career in rallying.
Why was Group B so awesome?
Group B was the first time that rally cars were purposely built for winning rallies; they had no other purpose or reason to exist.
Homologation
Group B mandated that only 200 units be made, so with low numbers, specialised production designs were allowed. Group B homologation cars are super rare, unique and coveted.
The Power
By 1986, Group B's horsepower reached its peak; cars doubled in power from 250~300 HP to 450~600 HP with limitless potential from turbochargers.
The Challenge
The cars were primitive brutes with no high-tech electronic driving aids, the differential technology of a farm tractor, suspensions that were prone to overheating, slow responses, engine power bands were narrow (high levels of RPM), and the torque was average. Also, anti-lag was used by left foot braking, driveability was poor, and the cars were a big challenge to drive fast.
Group B had to heighten their level to cope with advanced increases in performance of the cars; they had to adapt aerodynamic aids to keep the cars glued to the ground for traction and to go even faster around corners.
Walter Röhrl even stated it was a challenge to find a perfect balance between driving pace and outright speed. Rallies were physically demanding for drivers because of the unforgiving nature of the cars. Sometimes crews had to undergo physical therapy like massages or spin decompression in between stages. Group B tested the will of drivers, a blend of man (woman) and machine.
Rallying history for the first time was filled with backfire fuelled flat-out driving and left foot braking. Check out this video of the Trasmiera Rallye Festival.
The diversity of cars
Group B regulations allowed any type of car, these engines created mechanical symphonies, and there was a wide array of crazy looking cars.
Spectators flocked in the tens of thousands to the rally stages. Group B had worldwide popularity and notoriety. Group B propelled rallying before Formula 1. Unruly fans would line up to see, even touch, their favourite fire spitting, high-flying rally car.
Check out this really enthusiastic fan here.
Group B had its innocence, ambition, excitement, anticipation, and passion from everyone including drivers, navigators (co-drivers), crews, spectators, and journalists.
Ari Vatanen is Finnish and has 10 World Rally Championship wins, a World Champion in 1981, he was always flat out, known as the "Flying Finn" because he was often airborne. Also, he was an inspiration for Colin McRae the Scottish Rally Hero.
Ari Vatanen won the World Rally Championship title driving a Ford Escort RS1800 sideways, then with the Peugeot 205T16; he set the pace for Group B before suffering major injuries when his car somersaulted, reaching speeds of 120mph, in Argentina in 1985.
Author - Jennifer Laracy
4th Year Recreation and Sport Management Student
References
Slowly Sideways Ireland
Rally Group B Shrine
Trasmiera Rallye Festival
Enthusiastic Spectator