1983 World Rally Championship

The 1983 World Rally Championship was the 11th season of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) World Rally Championship (WRC). The season consisted of 12 rallies. By this time, the schedule format had become generally stable, with only one or two changes to venues year to year. 1983 brought the return of Argentina to the schedule in place of Brazil. Audi's Hannu Mikkola beat the defending world champion Walter Röhrl and his Lancia teammate Markku Alén to the drivers' title. Lancia captured the manufacturers' title from Audi by just two points.

Summary

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An ex-Bettega Lancia 037 Rally

German Walter Röhrl, champion of the previous year despite his manufacturer's failed bid to capture the title, was tapped to drive for the Martini Racing team along with Finn Markku Alén in the new Lancia Rally 037 car. Audi Sport meanwhile carried forward from its successful title run in 1982 led by the same pair of drivers, Finn Hannu Mikkola and Frenchwoman Michèle Mouton, equipped with the Quattro A1 (later in the season upgrading to the A2 model). The team also included future champion Swede Stig Blomqvist. Rothmans Opel Rally Team tapped former champion Finn Ari Vatanen and fellow countryman Henri Toivonen to drive the Ascona 400 during the season.

 
An ex-Mikkola Audi Quattro A2

Competition was fierce both for drivers and manufacturers. The works battle quickly centered on the Audi and Lancia, and over the course of the season the two cars won 10 of the 12 events and sit on 30 of the year's 36 podium positions. Lancia emerged on top, returning the manufacturer to glory for the first time since the company seized three consecutive titles in the mid-1970s, despite deciding not to participate in last two events. Audi's performance was impressive and the car was improved in the second half of the season, winning three of the final four events to nearly catch the Italian maker (who, of course, withdrew from two last events, leaving Audi with little competition).

Driver competition was no less intense, with both of the Martini team-mates scoring well through the season. They were outpaced by Mikkola, who was able to garner four wins and seven podiums to take the title by a healthy margin in the end. While Mikkola appeared in all events, Röhrl and Alén only appeared in six and seven events respectively, which gave Mikkola clear path to the title. Mikkola teammate Blomqvist was impressive, finally winning in the last event of the year to place fourth overall, but Mouton's season was a disappointment, her fifth-place finish well off the pace. The Rothmans team meanwhile suffered an unimpressive season, the lone highlight being Vatanen's win in Kenya. This was the team's only podium finish, and Ari himself finished a distant sixth place on the year.

As with previous seasons, while all 12 events were calculated for tallying the drivers' scores, only 10 of the events applied to the championship for manufacturers. The two events in 1983 that applied only to driver standings were Sweden and the Rallye Côte d'Ivoire.

Teams and drivers

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Team Constructor Car Tyre Drivers Rounds
  Martini Racing Lancia Rally 037 P   Walter Röhrl 1, 3, 5–7, 10
  Markku Alén 1, 3, 5–6, 8–10
  Jean-Claude Andruet 1, 5
  Adartico Vudafieri 3, 8
  Attilio Bettega 5–7, 10
  Francisco Mayorga 8
  Pentti Airikkala 9
  Audi Sport Audi Quattro A1
Quattro A2
M
P
  Hannu Mikkola All
  Michèle Mouton 1–10, 12
  Stig Blomqvist 1–3, 6–10, 12
  Lasse Lampi 2, 9, 11–12
  Franz Wittmann 3, 6
  Vic Preston Jr 4
  Shekhar Mehta 8
  Rubén Luis di Palma 8
  Per Eklund 9
  Bernard Darniche 10
  John Buffum 12
  Rothmans Opel Rally Team Opel Ascona 400
Manta 400
M   Ari Vatanen 1–2, 4, 6, 9–10, 12
  Henri Toivonen 1, 6, 9–10, 12
  Guy Frequelin 1, 5
  Rauno Aaltonen 4
  Jimmy McRae 6, 12
  Phil Colins 12
  Clinton Smith 12
  Alastair Sutherland 12
  Alex Jackson 12
  Renault Elf Renault 5 Turbo M   Jean Ragnotti 1, 5–6
  Jean-Luc Thérier 1, 3, 5
  Bruno Saby 1, 5
  Dany Snobeck 1
  Philippe Touren 1, 5
  Gilbert Sau 1
  Manuel Pereira 3
  François Chatriot 5
  Jean-Pierre Manzagol 5
  Team Nissan Europe Nissan 240RS D   Timo Salonen 1, 3–4, 6–7, 9, 12
  Terry Kaby 3
  Shekhar Mehta 4, 6–7
  Mike Kirkland 4
  Jayant Shah 4
  Tony Pond 5
  George Moschous 6
  Reg Cook 7
  Erkki Pitkänen 9
  Peter Geitel 12
  Automobiles Talbot Talbot Sunbeam Lotus M   Chris Lord 1
  Antonio Zanini 3
  Jon Woodner 12
  David Keating 12
  Alain Truchet 12
  Colin Barrell 12
  Citroën Compétitions Citroën Visa M   Maurice Chomat 1, 3, 6, 12
  Alain Coppier 1, 3, 5–6, 9–10, 12
  Christian Dorche 1–3, 5–6, 12
  Francisco Romãozinho 3
  Philippe Wambergue 3, 6, 12
  Christian Rio 3, 6, 12
  Olivier Tabatoni 3, 5–6, 9
  Rufino Fontes 3
  Mitsubishi Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 Turbo Y   Georg Fischer 3, 9
  Harri Toivonen 9, 12
  Peugeot Sport Peugeot 504 Pick-up V6 M   John Hellier 4
  Basil Criticos 4
  BMW Motul BMW M1 P   Bernard Béguin 5
  Jolly Club Lancia Rally 037 P   Adartico Vudafieri 5, 10
  Miki Biasion 10
  Tonino Tognana 10
  Toyota Team Europe Toyota Celica TCT P   Björn Waldegård 9, 11–12
  Juha Kankkunen 9, 11–12
  Per Eklund 11–12
  Pro Motor Sport Ferrari 308 GTB M   Björn Waldegård 10
  Federico Ormezzano 10
  Maurizio Cavalli 10
  GM Dealer Sport Vauxhall Chevette 2300 HSR M   Russell Brookes 12
  Terry Kaby 12
  George Hill 12

Events

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Black = Tarmac Brown = Gravel Blue = Snow/Ice Red = Mixed Surface

Schedule and results

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Round Rally name Stages Podium finishers
Rank Driver Co-driver Team Car Time
1  
Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo
(22–29 January 1983)
30 stages
709 km (441 mi)
Tarmac
1   Walter Röhrl   Christian Geistdörfer   Martini Racing Lancia Rally 037 7:58:57
2   Markku Alén   Ilkka Kivimäki   Martini Racing Lancia Rally 037 8:05:59
3   Stig Blomqvist   Björn Cederberg   Audi Sport Audi Quattro A1 8:10:15
2  
Swedish Rally[1]
(11–13 February 1983)
24 stages
466 km (290 mi)
Snow/Ice
1   Hannu Mikkola   Arne Hertz   Audi Sport Audi Quattro A1 4:28:47
2   Stig Blomqvist   Björn Cederberg   Audi Sport Audi 80 Quattro 4:29:34
3   Lasse Lampi   Pentti Kuukkala   Audi Sport Audi Quattro A1 4:32:51
3  
Rallye de Portugal
(2–5 March 1983)
40 stages
642 km (399 mi)
Gravel/Tarmac
1   Hannu Mikkola   Arne Hertz   Audi Sport Audi Quattro A1 7:17:24
2   Michèle Mouton   Fabrizia Pons   Audi Sport Audi Quattro A1 7:18:19
3   Walter Röhrl   Christian Geistdörfer   Martini Racing Lancia Rally 037 7:19:14
4  
Safari Rally
(30 March – 4 April 1983)
87 controls
5,035 km (3,129 mi)
Gravel
1   Ari Vatanen   Terry Harryman   Rothmans Opel Rally Team Opel Ascona 400 +3:96 pen
2   Hannu Mikkola   Arne Hertz   Audi Sport Audi Quattro A1 +4:02 pen
3   Michèle Mouton   Fabrizia Pons   Audi Sport Audi Quattro A1 +4:55 pen
5  
Tour de Corse
(5–7 May 1983)
28 stages
1,008 km (626 mi)
Tarmac
1   Markku Alén   Ilkka Kivimäki   Martini Racing Lancia Rally 037 12:43:38
2   Walter Röhrl   Christian Geistdörfer   Martini Racing Lancia Rally 037 12:45:27
3   Adartico Vudafieri   Luigi Pirollo   Jolly Club Lancia Rally 037 12:50:08
6  
Acropolis Rally Greece
(30 May – 2 June 1983)
45 stages
836 km (519 mi)
Gravel
1   Walter Röhrl   Christian Geistdörfer   Martini Racing Lancia Rally 037 11:12:22
2   Markku Alén   Ilkka Kivimäki   Martini Racing Lancia Rally 037 11:18:42
3   Stig Blomqvist   Björn Cederberg   Audi Sport Audi Quattro A2 11:26:18
7  
Rally New Zealand
(25–28 June 1983)
33 stages
1,069 km (664 mi)
Gravel
1   Walter Röhrl   Christian Geistdörfer   Martini Racing Lancia Rally 037 12:10:13
2   Timo Salonen   Seppo Harjanne   Team Nissan Europe Nissan 240RS 12:26:11
3   Attilio Bettega   Maurizio Perissinot   Martini Racing Lancia Rally 037 12:41:42
8  
Rally Argentina
(2–6 August 1983)
18 stages
1,274 km (792 mi)
Gravel
1   Hannu Mikkola   Arne Hertz   Audi Sport Audi Quattro A2 10:18:54
2   Stig Blomqvist   Björn Cederberg   Audi Sport Audi Quattro A2 10:21:28
3   Michèle Mouton   Fabrizia Pons   Audi Sport Audi Quattro A2 10:25:35
9  
Rally Finland
(26–28 August 1983)
50 stages
473 km (294 mi)
Gravel
1   Hannu Mikkola   Arne Hertz   Audi Sport Audi Quattro A2 4:23:44
2   Stig Blomqvist   Björn Cederberg   Audi Sport Audi Quattro A2 4:24:05
3   Markku Alén   Ilkka Kivimäki   Martini Racing Lancia Rally 037 4:24:33
10  
Rallye Sanremo
(2–8 October 1983)
58 stages
775 km (482 mi)
Gravel/Tarmac
1   Markku Alén   Ilkka Kivimäki   Martini Racing Lancia Rally 037 8:50:17
2   Walter Röhrl   Christian Geistdörfer   Martini Racing Lancia Rally 037 8:52:26
3   Attilio Bettega   Maurizio Perissinot   Martini Racing Lancia Rally 037 8:55:27
11  
Rallye Côte d'Ivoire[1]
(25–30 October 1983)
54 controls
4,600 km (2,900 mi)
Gravel
1   Björn Waldegård   Hans Thorszelius   Toyota Team Europe Toyota Celica TCT +5:18 pen
2   Hannu Mikkola   Arne Hertz   Audi Sport Audi Quattro A2 +5:29 pen
3   Per Eklund   Dave Whittock   Toyota Team Europe Toyota Celica TCT +6:58 pen
12  
RAC Rally
(19–23 November 1983)
57 stages
790 km (490 mi)
Gravel/Tarmac
1   Stig Blomqvist   Björn Cederberg   Audi Sport UK Audi Quattro A2 8:50:28
2   Hannu Mikkola   Arne Hertz   Audi Sport Audi Quattro A2 9:00:21
3   Jimmy McRae   Ian Grindrod   Rothmans Opel Rally Team Opel Manta 400 9:12:19

Standings

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Drivers' championship

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Rank Driver Event Total
points
 
MON
 
SWE
 
POR
 
KEN
 
FRA
 
GRC
 
NZL
 
ARG
 
FIN
 
ITA
 
CIV
 
GBR
1   Hannu Mikkola (10) 20 20 15 20 20 15 15 125
2   Walter Röhrl 20 12 15 20 20 15 102
3   Markku Alén 15 10 20 15 8 12 20 100
4   Stig Blomqvist 12 15 12 15 15 20 89
5   Michèle Mouton 10 15 12 12 4 53
6   Ari Vatanen 8 6 20 10 44
7   Attilio Bettega 10 8 12 12 42
8   Lasse Lampi 12 4 10 26
9   Shekhar Mehta 6 10 10 26
10   Per Eklund 10 12 22
11   Björn Waldegård 20 20
12   Adartico Vudafieri 8 12 20
13   Timo Salonen 15 3 18
14   Henri Toivonen 6 10 16
15   Jimmy McRae 3 12 15
16   Kalle Grundel 8 3 11
17   Jayant Shah 10 10
  Alain Ambrosino 10 10
19   Juha Kankkunen 6 4 10
20   Bruno Saby 1 8 9
21   Johnny Hellier 8 8
  Reg Cook 8 8
  Pentti Airikkala 8 8
  Miki Biasion 8 8
  Eugène Salim 8 8
  Russell Brookes 8 8
27   Franz Wittmann 4 4 8
28   Antonio Zanini 6 6
  Wolfgang Stiller 6 6
  Tony Pond 6 6
  Possum Bourne 6 6
  Franz Wurz 6 6
  Dario Cerrato 6 6
  John Buffum 6 6
35   Jean Ragnotti 4 4
  Sören Nilsson 4 4
  Manoj Shah 4 4
  Jean-Sébastien Couloumiès 4 4
  Michael Bish 4 4
  Ernesto Soto 4 4
41   Jean-Claude Andruet 3 3
  Mikael Ericsson 3 3
  Terry Kaby 3 3
  Paul de Voest 3 3
  Alain Coppier 3 3
  Peter Watt 3 3
  Jorge Recalde 3 3
  Lucky 3 3
49   Mikael Sundström 1 2 3
50   Francis Serpaggi 2 2
  Lars-Erik Walfridsson 2 2
  Christian Dorche 2 2
  Jean-Michel Guyot 2 2
  Philippe Wambergue 2 2
  Mike Cameron 2 2
  Carlos Celis 2 2
  Erkki Pitkänen 2 2
  Bernard Darniche 2 2
59   Ola Strömberg 1 1
  Marc Duez 1 1
  Jean-Louis Ravenel 1 1
  Maurice Chomat 1 1
  Gerardo del Campo 1 1
  Gabriele Noberasco 1 1
  Mats Holmbom 1 1

Manufacturers' championship

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Rank Manufacturers Event Total
points
 
MON
 
POR
 
KEN
 
FRA
 
GRC
 
NZL
 
ARG
 
FIN
 
ITA
 
GBR
1   Lancia 18 14 18 18 18 (10) 14 18 118
2   Audi 14 18 16 14 18 18 (6) 18 116
3   Opel 10 (9) 18 12 12 9 12 14 87
4   Nissan 4 12 8 8 16 4 52
5   Renault 6 10 11 27
6   Toyota 10 8 6 24
7   Subaru 13 13
8   British Leyland Cars 11 11
  Volkswagen 11 11
10   Peugeot 10 10
  Vauxhall 10 10
12   Mazda 9 9
  Alfa Romeo 9 9
14   Citroën 2 5 2 9
15   Talbot 8 8
16   Mitsubishi 7 7

Pointscoring systems

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Drivers' championship

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Points awarded by finish 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th
20 15 12 10 8 6 4 3 2 1

Manufacturers' championship

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Overall
finish
Group finish
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 18
2 17 16
3 16 15 14
4 15 14 13 12
5 14 13 12 11 10
6 13 12 11 10 9 8
7 12 11 10 9 8 7 6
8 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4
9 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 1

References

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  1. ^ a b Event not included in the Manufacturers' Championship
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