History 1990s

1990 Rally Australia (Australia)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1990 Rally Australia (Australia)

Date: September 20–23, 1990

Start Location: Perth, Western Australia

Finish Location: Perth, Western Australia

Total Distance: 540.00 km of special stages

Surface: Gravel

The 1990 Rally Australia offered smooth but narrow gravel stages winding through eucalyptus forests around Perth. Juha Kankkunen, newly signed to Toyota, delivered a composed and fast performance across the high-grip roads. Navigating long shadows, dust trails, and deceptive cambers, Kankkunen kept clear of trouble while rivals faltered—handing him a vital win and keeping the WRC title race very much alive.

Route

Wellington Dam: Fast and flowing through thick forest with minimal runoff and heavy dust accumulation.
Beraking: Narrow and twisty with tricky braking zones and inconsistent grip under tree cover.
Helena and Mundaring Regions: Undulating terrain with smooth, high-speed sections interspersed with deceptive corners.

Australia’s stages demanded razor-sharp driving and rhythm through dense woodland with sudden surface changes:

Kankkunen’s experience and composure allowed him to avoid time-wasting mistakes, while mechanical reliability kept the Toyota performing at its peak.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Juha Kankkunen & Juha Piironen · Toyota Celica GT-Four ST165
2nd Place
Carlos Sainz & Luis Moya · Toyota Celica GT-Four ST165
3rd Place
Ari Vatanen & Bruno Berglund · Mitsubishi Galant VR-4

Kankkunen’s victory brought the title fight down to the wire—his return to the top step in Australia was a statement of championship intent.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Dust Trails: Hanging dust made visibility a nightmare for following cars—clean air was a decisive advantage.
  • Tree Shadows: Alternating light conditions under dense canopies affected braking points and visibility.
  • Precision Driving: Margins were slim—off-camber turns and tight lines through trees left no room for error.

The 1990 Rally Australia showcased Kankkunen’s sharp edge and Toyota’s increasing strength—another dramatic shift in a seesaw championship season.

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