History 1980s

1981 Lombard RAC Rally (United Kingdom)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1981 Lombard RAC Rally

Date: November 22–24, 1981

Host Country: United Kingdom

Surface: Gravel / Asphalt

Total Distance: 708 km (competitive)

Total Starters: Approx. 130 crews

Total Finishers: 54 crews

The 1981 Lombard RAC Rally was a fitting finale to a season marked by innovation and fierce competition. With foggy Welsh forests, damp gravel tracks, and tarmac transitions, it delivered the unpredictability the event was famous for. Hannu Mikkola and Arne Hertz stormed to victory in their Audi Quattro, leveraging the car’s superior all-wheel-drive grip in slippery conditions. The win showcased Quattro’s continued development and Mikkola’s expertise on British stages, setting the tone for Audi’s coming dominance in Group B.

Route

Welsh Forests (Dyfi, Hafren): Narrow, twisting gravel tracks with puddles and deep mud ruts.
Yorkshire Moors: Fast-flowing asphalt transitions with fog, slick surfaces, and limited visibility.
Lake District: Rugged terrain with abrupt elevation changes, rock outcrops, and long night stages.

The route ran through England, Wales, and parts of Scotland, with stages held in classic British forests and on rural public roads under damp autumn skies.

Unpredictable weather and constant surface changes challenged both crews and mechanics, especially as night fell over already treacherous stages.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Hannu Mikkola & Arne Hertz · Audi Quattro
2nd Place
Ari Vatanen & David Richards · Ford Escort RS1800 MkII
3rd Place
Guy Fréquelin & Jean Todt · Talbot Sunbeam Lotus

Mikkola led from the front, expertly navigating the worst of the conditions with the Quattro’s AWD traction. Vatanen stayed close behind in the Escort but couldn’t match the Audi’s grip in the forests. Fréquelin sealed his runner-up finish in the drivers’ championship with a steady third place.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Fog and Darkness: RAC’s notorious night stages required absolute trust in pacenotes—especially in unfamiliar regions.
  • Surface Swaps: Switching from gravel to asphalt multiple times per day complicated tire choices and dampers setup.
  • Mechanical Strain: Long stages and damp conditions wore out gearboxes and caused repeated electrical issues in older cars.

Mikkola’s RAC victory closed the 1981 season with a clear signal: the era of AWD had arrived, and the Quattro’s ascent was only beginning. It also cemented his place among rallying’s elite as one of the sport’s most versatile and accomplished drivers.

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