History 1980s

1981 Rallye de Portugal – Vinho do Porto (Portugal)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1981 Rallye de Portugal – Vinho do Porto

Date: March 4–7, 1981

Host Country: Portugal

Surface: Asphalt / Gravel

Total Distance: 678.00 km (competitive)

Total Starters: Approx. 90 crews

Total Finishers: 28 crews

The 1981 Rallye de Portugal delivered a demanding blend of tarmac and gravel through the mountainous regions north of Lisbon. While fans packed the stages with passionate intensity, the event was overshadowed by a tragic accident that took the life of a spectator early on. Markku Alén, partnered with Ilkka Kivimäki, stayed focused and consistent throughout the challenging route, piloting the trusty Fiat 131 Abarth to a commanding win amid unpredictable surfaces and long days of attrition.

Route

Arganil & Lousã: Iconic gravel mountain stages with rough surfaces and narrow cliff-edge turns.
Sintra Tarmac Loops: Urban-edge twisty asphalt tests, slippery under early spring rain.
Night Stages: Dense fog and poor lighting increased risks through the misty pine forests of central Portugal.

The route combined fast, flowing gravel roads with tight, technical asphalt stages, stretching from the coastal cities into the mountainous interior of northern Portugal.

Mixed weather conditions complicated tire strategy and stage prep. Rainfall turned some gravel sections to mud while others remained bone-dry and dusty.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Markku Alén & Ilkka Kivimäki · Fiat 131 Abarth
2nd Place
Ari Vatanen & David Richards · Ford Escort RS1800
3rd Place
Hannu Mikkola & Arne Hertz · Audi Quattro

Alén’s flawless handling of surface transitions and his smooth, authoritative pace helped him manage Vatanen’s consistent threat and hold off Mikkola’s Quattro in its first major mixed-surface test.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Surface Transitions: Alternating gravel and tarmac required suspension compromises and rapid pace adjustments.
  • Crowd Management: Stage-side fans packed dangerously close to the road—accidents led to serious scrutiny of safety protocols.
  • Mental Fortitude: Crews had to balance focus and aggression in an emotionally heavy event following the spectator fatality.

The 1981 Rallye de Portugal showcased Alén’s professional focus and adaptability, but also underscored growing concerns about rally safety in the face of swelling fan presence and the sport’s increasing speed.

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