History 1980s

1981 Rally Codasur (Argentina)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1981 Rally Codasur

Date: July 18–23, 1981

Host Country: Argentina

Surface: Gravel

Total Distance: 1,346.60 km (competitive)

Total Starters: Approx. 70 crews

Total Finishers: 22 crews

The 1981 Rally Codasur, later known as Rally Argentina, challenged crews with a punishing mix of long liaison sections, high-altitude mountain passes, and unpredictable road surfaces. Guy Fréquelin and co-driver Jean Todt executed a perfectly paced rally in their Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, fending off local talent and international rivals alike to notch a crucial WRC win. Their performance solidified Talbot’s title campaign and elevated Fréquelin’s position in the drivers’ standings.

Route

Córdoba Highlands: Rocky mountain trails with sudden drop-offs and minimal room for error—demanding both torque and suspension travel.
Santa Rosa Plains: Long, fast straights across flat scrubland where dust trails limited visibility and made overtaking treacherous.
Pampas River Crossings: Seasonal creeks and floodways added sudden water challenges mid-stage.

The rally began in Buenos Aires and stretched deep into the Andes foothills, featuring a variety of gravel roads, river crossings, and high-speed open plains.

Changing weather and terrain meant that tire strategy and mechanical reliability were as important as outright speed.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Guy Fréquelin & Jean Todt · Talbot Sunbeam Lotus
2nd Place
Jorge Recalde & Jorge del Buono · Fiat 131 Abarth
3rd Place
Walter Röhrl & Christian Geistdörfer · Fiat 131 Abarth

Fréquelin’s consistent pace and Todt’s impeccable navigation kept them ahead of local hero Jorge Recalde and the hard-charging Fiat factory effort, securing Talbot’s only South American WRC victory.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Dust Trails: Slow winds and dry ground made visibility a major issue—time lost in dust was hard to recover.
  • Altitude Fatigue: Mountain sections drained engine power and required smart gear selection to maintain momentum.
  • Local Pressure: Argentine drivers knew the terrain well and pushed hard, but Fréquelin’s consistency outlasted them.

The 1981 Rally Codasur was a battle of attrition and pace—Fréquelin and Todt executed a textbook rally, giving Talbot a landmark victory in South America and keeping their championship hopes alive.

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