GROUP B

GROUP B

Actually Group B cars have been born in the year 1979, when FISA (Organization of FIA subordinates to take care of all forms of car races) legalize 4 Wheel Drive system. Even so, many car manufacturers are reluctant to use the 4WD system because it is considered heavy and can affect the performance of the car. All that changed when Audi launched the Quattro 4WD car. And in 1982, FISA set Group B as the new base to replace Group 4 (already described in Part 1) and Group 5 (spec under Group 4).

Actually, the FIA ​​also treats Group A as a replacement for Group 5. But unlike Group B, the cars entering on this spec are limited to everything. Starting from technology, machinery and others, and must meet the homologation of 5000 units / year. The goal is to be cheaper, resulting in the many private teams that enter the WRC ( I have explained it in Part 3 ). In addition there is also Group C, with more stringent constraints than Group A. But that is a clear prima donna Group B. In 4 short years, Group B became a legend for rally lovers. 

THE "ROADZILLA" CARS

Audi Quattro A1, Group B's "Godfather"

The rally world revolution began when Audi launched Quattro , which debuted on the 1980 Portuguese Rally, Quattro (still using the Beta version) capable of 30 minutes faster than the winner of the rally! Thatbecause Group B and Group A it is like Horse and Donkey. The limits in Group B's technical regulations are very loose. Want to use Supercharger, Turbocharge or EVEN both are not a problem, as well as the material. Unlike rally cars now where only using fiberglass (except in the protection area), the body of Group B cars using a mixture of carbon fiber and Kevlar. But one of the biggest factors is the 4 Wheel Drive system that can increase traction in difficult terrain and more efficient tires. Although it was rejected by other manufacturers, Audi proved that, This is the future of Group B and its successors.
  

Lancia 037

Soon after the success of Audi with female racer Michel Mouton occupying runner-up position in 1982, other car manufacturers in droves produce Group B. Lancia car launched the type 037, and immediately became a rival of Audi. Only, Lancia 037 still use the system Rear Wheel Drive and Supercharged, making this car easy to go on the track gravel or snow, but lively on the asphalt track. In addition, Opel launched Manta 400 cars, Toyota relies on the Celica model (Do not equate with the Celica version of Group A). These cars were successful in the regional championship, but unfortunately they did not miss out on the WRC, although Bjorn Waldegard won the Ivory Coast Rally of 1983. At the end of the season, Audi Hannu Mikola became world champion, but some errorsfrom Audi make Lancia embrace the manufacturing title with 037.
In 1984 came the Peugeot 205 T16 armed with mid engine and chassis space frame, and instantly beat 037 and Quattro, where the last name began to age and the front engine configuration and monokok chassis began to subdued. In addition to the wild cars, Peugeot also has racer caliber Ari Vatanen with team boss Jean Todt (Now president of the FIA). Audi was immediately reacted by launching Sport Quattro S1 to replace the A1, but too late. Peugeot immediately grabbed a double title in 1985 with heavy smoker Timo Salonen with co-driver Seppo Harjane (who later established a successful partnership with Tommi Makinen), though it must be paid with the terrible accident experienced by Ari Vatanen in Argentina. From here everything is not the same anymore.

MG Metro 6R4

Ford RS200

Lancia Delta S4

In 1986 kick-off  with Lancia launching Delta S4, Ford returned after several years of vacuum with RS200, and MG came with Metro 6R4. On the other hand, Peugeot revised their 205 T16 car, while Audi launched the Quattro S1 Evo2. There is also Citroen, Peugeot's brother with BX 4TV car, but failed miserably in the WRC Group B event, and only succeeded 2 decades later with Xsara and C4.

But of all these cars, Delta S4 is the ultimate duper car. They combine turbocharger and supercharger systems, known as twinchargers mounted on a 1.8L 16V engine, coupled with a weight of just 890kg (World Rally Car car now 1200kg, without driver). Result? 0-100 km / h in just 2.3 seconds .......... in GRAVEL .. !!! 

THE UNBORN GROUP S

Lancia ECV

Behind its superior Group B automobiles, the FIA ​​is preparing more super-regulated cars from Group B, though power is reduced to 300 horsepower, smaller car size, exotic materials increasingly rampant in the form of GROUP S. This regulation makes cars the more intense rally "prototype", with only 10 cars to be sold for homologation.

Toyota 222D Group S

This regulation was announced before the rolling 1986 season, and some manufacturers like Toyota, Lancia and Audi have created and developed cars that fit into the Group S. regulation. Unfortunately, after a series of tragedies, Group S is extinct before birth. Fans also regret this decision because Group S, they think, will be safer from Group B, and more fun to race than Group A car. However, ten years later Group S appeared in the form of World Rally Car ( already discussed in Part 4 ). 

A PREMATURE END

Attilio Bettega was killed in the 1985 Tour de Corse

It all started from Tour de Corse in the Corsican islands of France in 1985. Attilio Battega was killed when his Lancia 037 pierced the wooded area of ​​the Corsican mountains, but everyone still thought it was "ordinary". And it was time for the Rally Portugal a year later. 

But beforehand if your mentality is not strong, DO NOT SEE THIS VIDEO.

Joaquim Santos was unable to control the Ford RS200 out of the lane at the "Lagoa Azul" stage and hit a spectator right on the curb. Three people were killed and thirty-one others wounded. After the rally, Ford immediately withdrew from the WRC, and Group B began to be questioned in terms of speed and security.  

A month later more tragic. Tour De Corse again took its toll. This time is another Lancia driver, the rising star, Henri Toivonen and navigator Sergio Cresto (who is also a former Battega navigator). At the start of the 1986 season Toivonen was a favorite, with the status getting stronger as he battled the prestigious Monte Carlo Rally. At the Corsican Rally itself he led the race, arriving at SS18 when his Lancia Delta S4 plunged into a ravine. The combination of a leaky fuel tank, hot turbocharger and body made of kevlar made the car burn immediately. Toivonen and Cresto were killed on the spot.The use of flexible fuel tanks may be able to save them. 
 

What remains of Lancia Delta S4 is Toivonen

 The FIA ​​was devastated by the incident, and hours later Group B cars were immediately banned, and the Group S discourse was also canceled, and ended up in almost every motorsport event that usedturbo banned, including Formula 1. As a result Group A was made as a new standard for rally cars starting the 1987 season. At the end of the 1986 season Juha Kankkunen became world champion with Peugeot 205. 

THE DAY AFTER GROUP B

Peugeot 205 T16 version of Dakar

... and Pikes Peak Version

Although Group B cars have been banned from the WRC, but they have not completely disappeared from the race. Peugeot immediately pulled out of the WRC after the 1986 season, and used the iconic 205 car in the Dakar Rally. In addition, Pikes Peak hillclimb races made the event to prove the Group B car the fastest. Audi battled the 1987 edition, and Peugeot took it two years in a row. 

  

The takeover of Group B's drive from the rally is a rallycross. The cars for Group B are homeless then move to the European Rallycross Championship playground. Although Group B disappeared in late 1993 because there was no more development of the cars, its spirit still exists today.