Group B was a set of regulations introduced by FISA (Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile) in 1982 to replace the previous Group 4 regulations. The goal was to allow manufacturers more flexibility in the design of their rally cars and to encourage more manufacturers to participate in the sport.
Among so many incredible machines in this apotheosis of rallies, the Audi Quattro stands out as the most iconic automobile from this golden era
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The Quattro was one of the most dominant cars in Group B's first years, due to its powerful turbocharged engine and four-wheel-drive system. The extra power and traction provided by these features gave a significant advantage over its rivals.
As a result, Audi was able to win the Manufacturers' championship in 1982 and 1984, as their drivers Hannu Mikkola and Stig Blomqvist won the Drivers' championship in 1983 and 1984 respectively.
That 5-cylinder madness, that grip on those poetic slides, the turn-in of that hoarse sound... The Quattro S1 E2 is undoubtedly one of the most hard-core machines ever created.
These constant evolutions of Group B, created infernal machines and turned pilots into demigods. Euphoric, the public ran to the sections to see the machines go by and the worst happened. On a tragic day for motorsport, a Ford RS200 driven by the Portuguese Joaquim Santos collided with a crowd of spectators. 3 people died, 30 were injured and the end of Group B was dictated.
