History Event 1980s

1989 Lombard RAC Rally (Great Britain)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1989 Lombard RAC Rally (Great Britain)

Date: November 19–23, 1989

Start Location: Chester, England

Finish Location: Chester, England

Total Distance: 283 km of special stages

Surface: Gravel

The 1989 RAC Rally was a triumph of experience, as veteran driver Pentti Airikkala took his first and only WRC victory at age 44. Driving the Mitsubishi Galant VR-4, Airikkala handled the foggy, muddy, and fast-paced British gravel with expert precision. The RAC’s unique format, no pace notes, narrow forest roads, and ever-changing grip, rewarded smoothness and bravery in equal measure. His win gave Mitsubishi its first WRC victory in over a decade.

Route

Kielder Forest: High-speed and punishing on tires, visibility was often limited by fog and rain.
Clocaenog and Dyfi: Twisting Welsh forest stages with deep ruts and soft edges waiting to trap even the best.
Grizedale: Rocky northern routes that blended pace with caution, demanding tire discipline and risk control.

Classic British rally stages tested drivers through fast, slippery tracks, tight corners, and unpredictable weather:

No pace notes meant drivers had to memorize and react, experience in the region was essential for success.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Pentti Airikkala & Paul White · Mitsubishi Galant VR-4
2nd Place
Malcolm Wilson & Nigel Harris · Ford Sierra RS Cosworth 4x4
3rd Place
Ari Vatanen & Bruno Berglund · Subaru Legacy RS

Airikkala’s win was an emotional one, proof that grit, knowledge, and experience could still beat youth and horsepower on rallying’s most traditional challenge.

Car Highlights

  • Mitsubishi Galant VR-4: Powerful and durable AWD platform with strong performance in slippery conditions, Airikkala used its strengths to full effect.
  • Ford Sierra RS Cosworth 4x4: Quick and stable, especially in open sections, Wilson pushed hard but couldn’t match Pentti’s consistency.
  • Subaru Legacy RS: Newcomer to the WRC, Vatanen’s pace showed the car’s future potential despite its early development stage.

Navigation & Challenges

  • No pace notes: Drivers relied on instinct and memory, especially tough in foggy, fast terrain.
  • Slippery Surfaces: Constantly changing grip meant cautious throttle and sharp vision were key.
  • Forest Speed: High speeds through tight trees left no room for mistakes, Airikkala’s measured approach paid off.

The 1989 RAC Rally ended the season with a fan-favorite win, Airikkala’s perseverance and mastery of British forests earned him a well-deserved place in rally history.

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