History 1980s

1986 Hong Kong–Beijing Rally (China)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1986 Hong Kong–Beijing Rally (China)

Date: September 14–18, 1986

Start Location: Hong Kong

Finish Location: Beijing, China

Total Distance: 835 km of special stages

Surface: Asphalt and gravel

The 1986 Hong Kong–Beijing Rally returned as a high-profile demonstration of international rallying in a rapidly changing China. With roads ranging from polished tarmac to rugged countryside tracks, it was a unique mix of modern infrastructure and rural unpredictability. Stig Blomqvist, a former world champion, showed masterful composure and adaptability in the Audi Quattro A2 to win the event—demonstrating the car’s continued relevance in varied terrain despite the rise of newer Group B machines elsewhere.

Route

Guangdong Province: Dense urban areas and newly built roadways required tight timing and patience through traffic zones.
Hunan and Henan: Rural mountain roads with gravel detours and deep ruts, demanding precise car placement.
Final Leg to Beijing: Long, fast transport and competitive sectors with improved surfaces and diplomatic fanfare.

The rally stretched across southeastern China, covering diverse landscapes and logistical challenges:

Unlike traditional WRC rounds, this rally was also a symbolic event, blending motorsport with cultural exchange and cross-border cooperation.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Stig Blomqvist & Bruno Berglund · Audi Quattro A2
2nd Place
Mike Kirkland & David Williamson · Nissan 240RS
3rd Place
Per Eklund & Claes Billstam · Toyota Celica TCT

Blomqvist’s precise pace and familiarity with long-distance rallying gave him the edge—his Audi was both powerful and dependable across China’s transitional infrastructure.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Political Coordination: Multiple checkpoints and security protocols required close cooperation with local authorities.
  • Route Ambiguity: Limited signage and last-minute detours tested co-driver concentration and adaptability.
  • Vehicle Preservation: Despite its symbolic nature, the rally’s unpredictable surfaces required cautious driving to avoid retirement.

The 1986 Hong Kong–Beijing Rally was a cultural milestone as much as a motorsport event—and Blomqvist’s victory symbolized both skill and diplomacy in motion.

← Previous Event 1986 Paris–Dakar Rally (France–Algeria–Niger–Mali–Senegal)
Back to Events Index
1987 Rallye Monte-Carlo (Monaco) Next Event →

Watch rallies anywhere — bypass region blocks with NordVPN.

Fast servers for HD streams Servers in 60+ countries 30-day money-back

Unblock coverage — Save up to 77% + 3 months free

Sponsored link. Using our partner links helps support Compromised Internals at no extra cost to you.