History 1980s

1989 Rally Australia (Perth)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1989 Rally Australia (Perth)

Date: September 1989

Start Location: Perth, Western Australia

Finish Location: Perth, Western Australia

Total Distance: ~530 km of special stages

Surface: Gravel

The 1989 Rally Australia marked the country’s debut as a World Rally Championship host, instantly earning praise for its smooth gravel, fast forestry stages, and tight organization. Held around the city of Perth, the rally offered a balance of flowing high-speed roads and narrow tree-lined corridors. Juha Kankkunen delivered a textbook win in the Toyota Celica GT-Four, showcasing his composure and speed on the fresh WRC stage.

Route

Nannup Forest: Tight tree-lined sections with blind crests and unforgiving ditches.
Busselton Region: Smoother, flowing stages that allowed for consistent high-speed rhythm.
Wellington Dam: Rugged segments with variable grip, loose stones, and narrow exits—penalizing late braking.

Western Australia’s terrain offered a distinct feel—wide open forests, sweeping bends, and compact gravel ideal for rally speed:

Weather remained dry and cool, producing fast times and clean surfaces, with minimal tire degradation compared to other gravel rallies.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Juha Kankkunen & Juha Piironen · Toyota Celica GT-Four
2nd Place
Carlos Sainz & Luis Moya · Toyota Celica GT-Four
3rd Place
Didier Auriol & Bernard Occelli · Lancia Delta Integrale

Toyota’s 1–2 finish announced their growing dominance on fast gravel events, while Kankkunen’s confidence in unfamiliar territory was unmatched.

Navigation & Challenges

  • High-Speed Focus: Crews needed perfect commitment over blind rises—mistakes at speed had major consequences.
  • Tree Line Pressure: Narrow tracks bordered by dense forests made even small misjudgments costly.
  • New Territory: As a first-time WRC host, roadbooks and local knowledge were limited—Kankkunen’s adaptability paid off.

The 1989 Rally Australia set a new WRC standard for fast gravel events—Kankkunen’s win was not just historic, but a clinical display of precision and poise in a brand-new venue.

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