History 1990s

1993 555 Hong Kong–Beijing Rally (China)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1993 555 Hong Kong–Beijing Rally (China)

Date: October 23–29, 1993

Start Location: Hong Kong

Finish Location: Beijing, China

Total Distance: ~3,865 km (558.96 km competitive)

Surface: Gravel (mixed with tarmac and open-road liaison)

The inaugural 555 Hong Kong–Beijing Rally marked a significant milestone in rally history, introducing international competition to China's vast and varied terrain. Traversing nearly 4,000 kilometers, the event combined high-speed gravel stages with long liaison sections across rural provinces. Ari Vatanen, with co-driver Bruno Berglund, delivered a commanding performance in the Subaru Legacy RS, demonstrating both the car's endurance and Vatanen’s legendary adaptability.

Route

Guangdong Province: Mountainous gravel roads with misty jungle-like foliage and unpredictable grip levels.
Henan Plains: Fast, open roads with minimal elevation change—ideal for top-speed sections and endurance strategy.
Hebei Region: Rocky tracks and tighter village routes, testing suspension and co-driver pacing under time pressure.

The route spanned southern coastal regions to Beijing’s capital core, with diverse terrain and road conditions:

While most stages ran on gravel, the long daily transitions and varying road quality made this rally more akin to a rally-raid event. Mechanical sympathy and smart pacing were vital.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Ari Vatanen & Bruno Berglund · Subaru Legacy RS
2nd Place
Possum Bourne & Rodger Freeth · Subaru Legacy RS
3rd Place
Kenneth Eriksson & Staffan Parmander · Mitsubishi Galant VR-4

Vatanen’s experience and raw speed through the varying terrain proved decisive—this win helped Subaru raise its international profile in Asia before the Impreza’s debut.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Extreme Distance: Nearly 4,000 km across a week meant driver fatigue and mechanical attrition were key risks.
  • Remote Service Access: Teams had limited support in China’s rural zones—self-reliance and planning were essential.
  • Changing Terrain: Each province brought different road textures and hazards—from washouts to wildlife crossings.

The 1993 555 Rally was a bold new frontier for the sport—Ari Vatanen’s historic win helped plant WRC seeds in Asia and showcased the Subaru Legacy’s final triumph before the Impreza’s rise.

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