History 1980s

1981 Rallye do Brasil (Brazil)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1981 Rallye do Brasil

Date: August 6–8, 1981

Host Country: Brazil

Surface: Gravel

Total Distance: 714 km (competitive)

Total Starters: Approx. 60 crews

Total Finishers: 23 crews

The 1981 Rallye do Brasil returned to the WRC calendar with its signature mix of fast gravel roads, humid tropical weather, and enthusiastic local support. Ari Vatanen and David Richards were in top form, expertly navigating the challenging South American terrain in their Ford Escort RS1800 MkII. Their win further solidified Vatanen’s momentum in the championship and proved once more that the Escort, though aging, was still a force to be reckoned with in the right hands.

Route

Curitiba Stages: Tight and technical gravel sections weaving through farmland and eucalyptus forests.
Maringá Loops: Wide, high-speed stretches with open visibility but slick red clay under light rain.
Jungle Border Trails: Humid, overgrown sectors where navigation was difficult and overheating was common.

Staged primarily in the Paraná region, the rally featured twisty forest paths, plantation roads, and long gravel straights punctuated by water splashes and elevation shifts.

Variable weather played a role throughout the event—showers created treacherous mud while sun-baked stretches kicked up thick dust clouds.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Ari Vatanen & David Richards · Ford Escort RS1800 MkII
2nd Place
Walter Röhrl & Christian Geistdörfer · Fiat 131 Abarth
3rd Place
Jorge Recalde & Jorge del Buono · Fiat 131 Abarth

Vatanen’s aggressive yet calculated drive outpaced the championship-leading Röhrl, while Argentine hero Recalde completed the podium after another strong South American showing.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Clay-Based Roads: Quickly turned slick under rain, leading to unpredictable braking and limited traction.
  • Humidity & Overheating: Engine and brake temps were hard to control during long, high-speed loops in tropical heat.
  • High-Speed Consistency: Many crashes occurred due to pushing too hard—Vatanen’s rhythm and Richards’ notes made all the difference.

The 1981 Rallye do Brasil tested the mettle of every crew, but Vatanen’s confidence and the Escort’s proven pace earned them another vital win in the fight for the World Championship.

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