Rally History Archive

Walter Röhrl and Christian Geistdörfer opened the 1980 WRC season with a commanding win at the Monte Carlo Rally, showcasing their mastery of snow-covered mountain tarmac in the Fiat 131 Abarth.

Anders Kulläng and Bruno Berglund delivered a landmark win on home snow, guiding the Opel Ascona 400 to victory at the 1980 Swedish Rally amid fierce Scandinavian competition.

Walter Röhrl and Christian Geistdörfer mastered the diverse terrain of Portugal in their Fiat 131 Abarth, claiming a decisive win at the 1980 Rallye de Portugal and extending their championship momentum.

Shekhar Mehta and Mike Doughty endured the brutal 5,300 km marathon across Kenya’s unforgiving terrain to win the 1980 Safari Rally in their Datsun 160J, showcasing supreme navigation and mechanical resilience.

Ari Vatanen and David Richards overcame blistering heat, rocky terrain, and fierce competition to win the 1980 Acropolis Rally in their Ford Escort RS1800 MkII—marking Vatanen’s first WRC victory.

Walter Röhrl and Christian Geistdörfer conquered the punishing Argentine terrain in their Fiat 131 Abarth, taking a commanding win at the 1980 Rally Codasur and solidifying their lead in the WRC championship.

Markku Alén and Ilkka Kivimäki flew to victory over the legendary Finnish jumps, securing a popular home win at the 1980 1000 Lakes Rally in their Fiat 131 Abarth.

Timo Salonen and Seppo Harjanne piloted their Datsun 160J to a strategic and smooth win over New Zealand’s diverse terrain, claiming the top spot at the 1980 Motogard Rally with poise and precision.

Walter Röhrl and Christian Geistdörfer demonstrated their unmatched adaptability at the 1980 Rallye Sanremo, dominating both gravel and asphalt to secure another vital victory in their Fiat 131 Abarth.

Jean-Luc Thérier and Michel Vial stormed the Corsican tarmac in their Porsche 911 SC, overcoming local specialists to win the grueling 1980 Tour de Corse with pace, precision, and Porsche power.

Henri Toivonen and Paul White shocked the rally world with a sensational win in the Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, mastering treacherous British forests to become the youngest-ever WRC winners at the 1980 Lombard RAC Rally.

Björn Waldegård and Hans Thorszelius brought Mercedes its final WRC victory with a dominant and composed performance across the harsh terrain of West Africa in the 1980 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire.

Freddy Kottulinsky and Gerd Löffelmann made history in the Volkswagen Iltis, mastering deserts, dunes, and danger to win the 1980 Paris–Dakar Rally—establishing VW's off-road credentials for decades to come.