Stage rally cars competing in events worldwide represent the pinnacle of power, durability, and car control capability . Stage rallying pushes production-based cars to their limits on closed public roads. Let’s examine the major types of cars that compete in stage rally racing. Modified Production Many grassroots stage rallies run groups for production cars with…
The Fiat 500 rally car economy car seems an unlikely choice for the extreme demands of rallying. But the tiny 500 built an impressive competition resume in the late 1960s and 1970s, improbably defeating more advanced rally machinery. Let’s explore how the honest underdog Fiat 500 could punch above its weight class. Thanks to skilled…
Skoda Rally car entered the global scene after becoming part of the Volkswagen Group in 1991. But even decades before, Skoda competed extensively in motorsports like rallying. Though little-known outside Eastern Europe, Skoda fielded speedy, reliable rally cars as far back as the 1960s. Let’s explore Skoda’s unsung history in rally racing and learn how…
Rally road type is the extreme variety of road conditions competitors must master. Unlike circuit racing on consistent asphalt or concrete, rally throws dramatically different surfaces at drivers, often within a single stage. From bone-dry tarmac to snow and ice, the changing road conditions form a key part of a rally’s character and difficulty. Let’s…
Opel Rally Car brand has faded from automotive prominence today, it enjoys a significant motorsport legacy built through rally racing success. Models like the Kadett, Ascona, and iconic Manta coupe proved formidable competitors in the 1960s through 1980s on loose and tarmac surfaces. Let’s revisit Opel’s potent rally racers who battled for glory in European…
BMW Rally Car has a reputation for luxury performance sedans and sports cars rivaling the likes of Mercedes and Porsche. But BMW also has a significant racing heritage in the unlikely arena of rally racing. From the 2002ti of the 1970s to the E30 M3 in the 1980s, BMW proved it could be competitive in…
Ford Focus rally car had often played second fiddle to Japanese makes like Subaru and Mitsubishi. But the introduction of the Ford Focus RS WRC in 1999 signaled the Blue Oval’s intent to challenge for rally supremacy seriously. Developed for the World Rally Car era of regulations, the Focus RS WRC became one of the…
Ferrari 308 GTB Michelotto conjures images of Miami Vice and the height of 1970s automotive excess. But the 308 GTB Michelotto revealed the sports car’s hidden rally potential. Developed by noted Italian tuner Michelotto, this modified 308 GTB became a surprise contender in the late 1970s rally scene. Let’s examine how Michelotto transformed the prancing…