History 1980s

1982 Rallye do Brasil (Brazil)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1982 Rallye do Brasil

Date: August 11–14, 1982

Host Country: Brazil

Surface: Gravel

Total Distance: 705.98 km (competitive)

Total Starters: Approx. 60 crews

Total Finishers: 24 crews

In sweltering South American heat and through rough Brazilian terrain, Michèle Mouton and Fabrizia Pons delivered a commanding performance in their Audi Quattro. The 1982 Rallye do Brasil featured some of the roughest gravel conditions of the season, and the duo’s ability to adapt to unfamiliar terrain was key. Their win marked Mouton's fourth WRC victory and highlighted Audi’s strength on loose surfaces, bolstering her championship run against Röhrl.

Route

Minas Gerais Hills: Narrow gravel switchbacks with rocky surfaces that punished suspension systems.
Jungle Trails: Tight, humid routes with foliage hazards and inconsistent grip from shaded surfaces.
Flat-Out Sections: Long gravel straights allowed the Quattro to stretch its legs—traction made the difference.

The rally’s stages traversed the mountainous and rural areas around Minas Gerais and São Paulo, offering a variety of terrain types from dry riverbeds to forested hills.

Despite challenging navigation and unknown surfaces, the rally was fast and flowing, making mechanical endurance and grip key differentiators.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Michèle Mouton & Fabrizia Pons · Audi Quattro
2nd Place
Ari Vatanen & Terry Harryman · Ford Escort RS1800 MkII
3rd Place
Raulino Silva & José Diniz · Volkswagen Passat

Mouton and Pons took early control and never looked back. Vatanen pushed hard but was slowed by multiple tire issues. Local heroes Silva and Diniz delighted the crowd by bringing their VW home in a hard-earned third.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Heat and Dust: High cockpit temps and visibility issues from thick clouds of loose gravel made focus difficult.
  • Tire Management: Punctures were frequent—Mouton’s strategic driving kept hers intact while others fell back.
  • Unfamiliar Terrain: Without extensive prior reconnaissance, adaptability was more valuable than outright speed.

With this win, Mouton not only proved her versatility across continents, but also solidified her role as Audi’s fiercest championship weapon heading into the final rounds of the 1982 season.

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