Rally History Archive

Jean Ragnotti and Jean-Marc Andrié delivered a legendary performance in the mid-engined Renault 5 Turbo, securing a historic victory at the 1981 Monte Carlo Rally and marking a turning point in rally car design.

Hannu Mikkola and Arne Hertz made history by securing the first-ever WRC victory for an all-wheel-drive car, dominating the icy stages of Sweden in the revolutionary Audi Quattro.

Markku Alén and Ilkka Kivimäki powered their Fiat 131 Abarth through Portugal’s treacherous gravel and narrow tarmac stages to claim a determined victory in a rally marred by tragedy.

Shekhar Mehta and Mike Doughty triumphed over brutal African terrain once again, claiming their fourth Safari Rally victory in the rugged Datsun Violet GT.

Bernard Darniche and Alain Mahé conquered the relentless Corsican tarmac in their Lancia Stratos HF, marking the final WRC victory for the iconic mid-engined rally legend.

Ari Vatanen and David Richards delivered a heroic victory in the searing Greek heat, mastering the punishing rocky roads of the Acropolis Rally in their iconic Ford Escort RS1800 MkII.

Guy Fréquelin and Jean Todt battled the vast and rugged terrain of Argentina to claim a defining victory for Talbot in their Sunbeam Lotus, marking one of the toughest wins of the 1981 season.

Ari Vatanen and David Richards delivered another commanding win in their Ford Escort RS1800 MkII, conquering Brazil’s fast and slippery gravel stages to bolster their WRC title campaign.

Ari Vatanen thrilled his home crowd with a dominant victory in the 1981 1000 Lakes Rally, showcasing fearless speed and supreme car control through Finland’s high-flying gravel stages.

Michèle Mouton and Fabrizia Pons made history at the 1981 Rallye Sanremo, becoming the first all-female crew to win a WRC event, driving the revolutionary Audi Quattro to a groundbreaking victory on mixed surfaces.

Timo Salonen and Seppo Harjanne outlasted the field to win the brutal 1981 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire, proving both their endurance and the rugged reliability of the Datsun Violet GT across West Africa’s most punishing rally.

Hannu Mikkola and Arne Hertz capped off the 1981 season with a dominant win on the muddy forest roads of Britain, marking Audi's continued rise as a rally powerhouse with the revolutionary Quattro.

René Metge and Bernard Giroux claimed overall victory in the 1981 Paris–Dakar Rally, piloting their Range Rover V8 through nearly 4,000 km of sand, gravel, and treacherous desert to win the legendary African endurance race.