Why was rally Group B banned?
Almost immediately, the FISA banned Group B cars from competing in 1987. It was deemed that the human brain couldn’t keep up with the speed of the Group B cars, causing tunnel vision. The cars were mothballed for a while – but it wasn’t the end for them. Tragedy Struck Group B – And It Was Immediately Canceled The car left the road on a horrendous left-hander with no barrier, and the alloy petrol tank behind the driver was pierced, causing the Lancia to burst into flames. No one survived. Almost immediately, the FISA banned Group B cars from competing in 1987.
What is Group B in rally?
The Group B regulations fostered some of the fastest, most powerful, and most sophisticated rally cars ever built, and their era is commonly referred to as the golden era of rallying. However, a series of major accidents, some fatal, were believed to be caused by their outright speed. Group A encompassed touring cars, Group B included GT cars along with limited production touring cars, and Group C defined sports prototypes.It wasn’t just the Audi Quattro that was banned from rallying. It was a whole group of rally cars built to what’s known as Group B specification. That includes the Lancia Delta S4, the Peugeot 205 T16, the Ford RS200, and the MG Metro 6R4. The cars were just too fast for rallying.The Toyota Celica GT-Four, a rally car, was banned because of its illegal turbocharger. Prior to the mid-1980s, rally races, which are car races held on public roads and wooded trails, were won mostly by cars from European manufacturers.Group A is a set of motorsport regulations administered by the FIA covering production derived touring cars for competition, usually in touring car racing and rallying. In contrast to the short-lived Group B and Group C, Group A vehicles were limited in terms of power, weight, allowed technology and overall cost.After the death of Henri Toivonen and his co-driver Sergio Cresto in the 1986 Tour de Corse, the FIA banned the group from competing in the WRC from the following season, dropped its prior plans to introduce Group S, and designated Group A as the top class of rally cars with engine limits of 2000 cc and 300 bhp.
How powerful were Group B rally cars?
Heavily turbocharged, with power outputs ranging from 500 to 600 hp, massive turbo lags, and no driving aids, the Group B cars were often faster than the driver’s thought. To be honest, those rally beasts were downright frighting and capable of reaching 60 mph in 2. Well, it depends. On a racetrack, up Pikes Peak, or on fast, sweeping roads like those used in the 1980s, the Group B car would win. On tight, winding stages like those run today (due to the maximum allowable average speed of 120km/h), the WRC car would be quicker.Heavily turbocharged, with power outputs ranging from 500 to 600 hp, massive turbo lags, and no driving aids, the Group B cars were often faster than the driver’s thought. To be honest, those rally beasts were downright frighting and capable of reaching 60 mph in 2.
What is the most expensive Group B rally car?
A 1988 Audi Sport Quattro S1 rally car has broken the record for world’s most expensive rally car sold at auction, after selling for almost £1. Artcurial Parisienne collectable car event. The hammer went down with the 80’s Group B legend more than doubling the final price that it was predicted to go at. The racing version of Sport Quattro was the most powerful car in world rally history. Its engine produced in excess of 500 horsepower and eventually 600 horsepower in later version S1. It won both the driver and constructor championship in 1984.The Audi Sport Quattro S1 was a variant of the Quattro developed for homologation for Group B rallying in 1984, and sold as a production car in limited numbers.From the 1981 season onwards, Audi competed with the quattro model and its legendary quattro permanent four-wheel drive, earning two manufacturer and two driver (Hannu Mikkola, Stig Blomqvist) titles in the World Rally Championship between 1982 and 1984.Audi’s quattro system is a game changer for anyone living in snowy regions — statistically, over 70% of America’s roads fall under that category. Unlike part-time systems that kick in after you’re already sliding, quattro works full time, constantly sending power to all four wheels as needed.They didn’t ban Quattro because of Audi’s rallye dominance. In fact, AWD is alive and well in WRC. Quattro was banned by the SCCA in TransAm competition after the 1988 season.
What was the most winning car in Group B?
Peugeot 205 T16: la winning machine This meant the T16 would slot into the 2000-2500cc category. It was the most successful car of the Group B era with two WRC titles and 16 wins to its credit. It also foretold Paris-Dakar glory. PetroFact: Subcontractor Heuliez made 200 road cars for homologation purposes. The Peugeot 205 T16, meanwhile, took full advantage of Group B’s regulations (or lack thereof) and was technically the era’s most successful car with 16 overall victories and two World Championships to its credit.The S1 E2 would become the final Group B car produced by Audi, with the works team withdrawing from the Championship following the 1986 rally in Portugal. The final factory cars of 1986 were rated at 600 PS (441 kW; 592 hp).From 1986, the championship retired Group B in favor of IMSA-regulated cars, becoming the World Sports Prototype Championship. The Porsche 961 prototype, intended to be the basis for Group B homologation, won the GTX class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1986 but crashed and caught fire in 1987.The Peugeot 205 T16, meanwhile, took full advantage of Group B’s regulations (or lack thereof) and was technically the era’s most successful car with 16 overall victories and two World Championships to its credit.
Was the Audi Quattro in Group B?
The Audi Sport Quattro S1 was a variant of the Quattro developed for homologation for Group B rallying in 1984, and sold as a production car in limited numbers. The Audi Sport Quattro S1 was one of the banned Group B rally cars. When it comes to sports, it’s important to adhere to the rules to ensure a level playing field. Cheating is frowned upon (unless you’re the New England Patriots).Audi famously ushered four-wheel drive and forced induction into top-flight rallying with the Quattro with devastating effect. Tthe S1 E2 in many ways came to define the craziness of the Group B era.