Lancia’s Golden Era
Lancia owns rallying history. The Fulvia, Stratos, 037, Delta – four different cars, each dominant in its era. No other manufacturer has that record.
The Stratos was designed specifically for rallying. Mid-engine, Ferrari V6, looks like nothing else. Dominated the mid-70s. Bertone’s design is still stunning fifty years later.
The 037 was the last rear-wheel drive car to win a championship. 1983, beat the four-wheel drive Audi Quattros through pure talent and light weight.
Then the Delta Integrale. Six consecutive manufacturers’ championships from 1987-1992. Just dominated. Turbocharged, four-wheel drive, looked like a pumped-up family hatchback. Absolutely unstoppable.
The Quattro Revolution
Audi brought four-wheel drive to rallying in 1980. Everyone said it wouldn’t work – too heavy, too complex. Audi proved them wrong immediately.
Suddenly everyone needed four-wheel drive. The Quattro changed rallying permanently. You couldn’t compete without it after that.
Michèle Mouton drove the Quattro to victories when women in rallying were rare. Proper talent, proved the car worked, broke barriers.
Group B Madness
Group B in the mid-80s was rallying’s most spectacular and dangerous era. Minimal restrictions, maximum power. The cars were incredible – 500+ horsepower, insane acceleration, spectacular to watch.
Also dangerous. Too much power, not enough safety, crowds too close. After fatal accidents in 1986, Group B ended. Shame, because the cars were extraordinary, but probably necessary.
The Audi Sport Quattro S1, Lancia Delta S4, Peugeot 205 T16, Ford RS200 – all Group B legends. Mental machines.
Ford’s Rally Heritage
The Escort became a rally icon. From the Twin Cam through the various RS models to the Cosworth, Escorts won everywhere. Roger Clark, Ari Vatanen, countless others drove them to victory.
The Sierra and Escort Cosworths continued Ford’s rally success into the 90s. Colin McRae winning Britain’s first drivers’ championship in a Subaru in 1995 was brilliant, but Ford’s heritage before that was massive.
Japanese Domination
Subaru, Mitsubishi, Toyota – Japanese manufacturers brought reliability and technology. The Impreza and Lancer Evolution became rally legends in the 90s and 2000s.
Colin McRae in the Subaru, Tommi Mäkinen in the Mitsubishi – brilliant drivers in brilliant cars. The Impreza’s boxer engine and symmetrical four-wheel drive made it devastatingly effective.
Your Rallying Connection
Maybe you rally yourself – club events, stage rallies, whatever gets you sideways on gravel. Perhaps you marshal, help organize, keep events running. Or you’re a dedicated spectator who’s stood in freezing forests at midnight watching cars sideways through the dark.
Could be family connections, heroes you followed, specific events you’ve attended. Or you just appreciate motorsport where bravery and skill matter more than budget.
I’ll draw your rallying story. Specific cars, particular events, your own rally car, legendary moments, whatever it means to you.
What I Can Do
Know what you want? Tell me. Working it out? That’s fine. Cars in rally livery, specific events, forest stages, famous jumps, whatever tells your story.
Rally cars in their works colors are distinctive. Martini Lancia, Rothmans Porsche, Castrol livery, Marlboro colors – all iconic.
Why Rallying Matters
It’s real roads at racing speeds. Not groomed circuits with run-off areas. Trees, ditches, drops, rocks – hit anything and you’re out or worse. The bravery required is extraordinary.
Co-driver trust is total. Get a pace note wrong and you’re both in trouble. That partnership matters more in rallying than any other motorsport.
The Stages
Each stage is different. Finland’s fast with jumps that launch cars into flight. Monte Carlo’s ice and snow. Greece is rough. Wales is muddy and dark. Sweden’s pure ice. Each requires different skills.
The versatility demanded from drivers and cars is what makes rallying special. You can’t specialize. You need to be quick everywhere.
Let’s Draw Your Rallying Story
Whether you rally, you work in rallying, you follow it passionately, or you just appreciate what it represents – let’s create something that celebrates it.
Been doing this long enough to know what makes rallying special. The cars, the stages, the bravery, the history – it’s all worth preserving.
Get in touch. Let’s sort out your rallying cartoon.
