Group B

In relation to motorsport governed by the FIA, Group A and Group B referred to two sets of regulations for competition vehicles in touring car and rally racing. Group B was introduced by the FIA in 1982 as replacement for both Group 4 (modified grand touring) and Group 5 (touring prototypes) cars.

1983-1985

In 1983, the FISA decided to separate the rally cars into two classes: Group A and Group B. Although the Audi Quattro was still in essence a Group 4 car, it carried Hannu Mikkola to the driver's title in 1983. Lancia had designed a new car to Group B specifications, but the Lancia 037 still had rear wheel drive and was thus less consistent than the Audi over different surfaces.

Related Topics:
1983 - Lancia - Lancia 037 - Rear wheel drive

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The low homologation requirements quickly attracted manufacturers to Group B. Opel replaced their production-derived Ascona with the Group B Manta 400, and Toyota built a new car based on their Celica. Like the Lancia 037 both cars were rear drive, but unlike the Lancia they met with little success, although Toyota won the 1983 Ivory Coast Rally after hiring desert driving specialist Bjorn Waldegard.

Related Topics:
Opel - Ascona - Manta 400 - Toyota - Celica - Ivory Coast Rally - Bjorn Waldegard

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In 1984, Audi's Stig Blomqvist beat Lancia to the driver's title, although the victory was bittersweet: Midway through the year Peugeot had joined the rallying scene with its Group B 205 T16. The T16 also had all wheel drive and was smaller and lighter than the Audi Quattro. At the wheel was the 1981 driver's champion Ari Vatanen, with future Ferrari Formula One team manager Jean Todt overseeing the operation. A crash prevented the T16 from winning its first rally but the writing was on the wall for Audi.

Related Topics:
1984 - Stig Blomqvist - Peugeot - 205 T16 - Ari Vatanen - Ferrari - Formula One - Jean Todt

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Despite massive revisions to the Quattro, including a shorter wheelbase, Peugeot dominated the 1985 season. Although not without mishap: Vatanen plunged off the road in Argentina and was gravely injured when his seat mountings broke in the ensuing crash.

Related Topics:
Wheelbase - 1985 - Argentina

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Although the crash was a sign that Group B cars had already become dangerously quick, a rash of new Group B cars entered the rallying world in 1985:

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• Late in the year, Lancia replaced their outclassed 037 with the Delta S4, which featured both a turbocharger and a supercharger for optimum power output.
• Ford returned after several years aways with the Ford RS200
• Citroën attempted to build a Group B car, but the BX 4TC was too heavy and cumbersome to be successful.
• Rover created the distinctive Metro 6R4, which featured boxy bodywork and a large spoiler mounted on the front of the car.