Origins of Rally Racing Part 2: The Golden Era and Beyond

Picture credit: Joel Sanford
Driver: Amanda Skelly

After the birth of rally took place in France it only took a few short years to take over the world. As the popularity of the sport took hold of the world, the sport began to rapidly evolve to faster, longer, and more intense events. 

As the decades passed the cars got faster, could drive longer, and were more mechanically sound. This forward momentum in these automotive beasts propelled the sport along with it. 

The Monte Carlo Rally grew into a yearly event as the popularity of long-distance rallies skyrocketed, creating the need for a co-driver. Unlike the co-drivers of today, they would switch off driving in turns in order to rest, due to the grueling demands of the events. Some of these rallies could stretch further than 1,000 miles, over challenging terrain, and could take days to complete.  

This is when car manufacturers, like Mini (the maker of the Mini Cooper), started to take notice of the sport. They would develop lightweight, mechanically-sound cars that could take a beating, specifically with these events in mind. They also began putting teams of drivers and mechanics together who would professionally run these events. These companies thought of this as a great way to showcase their cars capabilities. This elevated the sport from a hobby to a profession.  

As the world became obsessed with rally and its ability to push drivers and their cars to the brink. By the 1970’s the introduction of the Dakar Rally pushed driver’s ingenuity and perseverance to a head. 

The Dakar Rally is an event that is an intense as it gets. This marathon stretched from Paris to Dakar for a total of 6,200 miles. The course winds down from Europe through the Middle East and Africa, forcing drivers had to be prepared to navigate different terrain, weather conditions, and be ready for any issues that may pop up. 

Nani Roma and Michel Périn in an X-raid Mini ALL4 Racing during Rally Dakar 2013

This no holds barre event historically always is full of wild twists and turns. In 1982 the son of the Prime Minister of the UK, Margaret Thatcher, went missing in the Sahara Desert. After 6 days, Thatcher and his co-driver were found 31 miles off course without injury. 

In 2009 the event was moved to South America due to security concerns and terroristic threats. After running the event in South America for 11 years; the event’s organizers made the decision to move it back east to Saudi Arabia for 2020.  

While these events stole the world’s attention during the 70s and 80s, stage rally events began growing in popularity among drivers and spectators. Because these events could be broken into weekends and driven over smaller time periods, it was easier for hobbyists and spectators to partake in the sport. 

As time passed rally continued evolving, and pushing the limits to become the badass, adrenaline pumping rager that it is today. In the final part of Origins of Rally, we will highlight the golden era of the sport and rise and fall of Group B Rally as well as the rise of the Japanese and Australian powerhouses. 

Until then keep your rubber spinnin’.