Monday 25th March 2013

Audi Sport Quattro S1: Time For Tea?

Insane engine noise and epic Group B rally action: what more can you want from a video?

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Group B: seemingly, the benchmark against which all rallying is measured in terms of the excitement and pure thrills it delivers. And this snippet of video, a tribute to the fabulous Audi Sport Quattro S1, certainly has both those things in spades. It splices together a selection of clips of Stig Blomqvist, Hannu Mikkola and Per Eklund all tonking through the forests of Finland at the sort of pace you'd expect from Group B drivers at the top of their game, which is spectacle enough in itself. But the real appeal of this piece of video is the noise. Unfettered by any backing track or commentary and in its most raw form, the sound of the S1 is almost other-worldly, a broad wail that's interspersed by the chittering of compressor stall and the occasional flame-thrown crack from the exhaust.

Might as well...

Shot just a year before Group B was canned altogether, these clips show arguably the peak of the series, and Audi's rally legend in - almost - its finest and most extreme form. Only the later E2 variant was more potent. That's not to say that this... er... "basic" S1 is anything of the sort, though. With power estimates varying anywhere between 450hp and 500hp, it was a blisteringly quick machine - as you can see quite clearly. If you need something to make you feel... ooh, all warm inside on a grim and wintry Monday afternoon, you've found it. Enjoy!

 

 

[Matthew Clarke]

Now THAT is what you call controlled speed!

(well up until the point they always stacked them and wrote off a few spectators..)

[em177]

Just the most incredible machines to watch and hear on the limit!

[Contigo]

Great motor, one for all the Audi fans on here

[Contigo]

There is something so appealing about that wastegate chatter sound!

[Housey]

So glad I got to spectate through the Group B era at various rallies over the years. Nothing like a load of Group B cars at full chat through a forrest. Modern cars, though quicker across a stage are not on the same page when it comes to spectacle. Just like Group C v LMP1 come to think of it.

[rallycross]

great monster of a machine, such an amazing sight and sound in the forest.
I was lucky enough to see the group B cars on the 1986 RAC, just look at the entry list below from those days over 150 cars and in the top 20 most were group B.



1 Salonen, Timo FI Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 E2
Harjanne, Seppo FI Peugeot Talbot Sport
2 Blomqvist, Stig SE Ford RS200
Berglund, Bruno SE Ford Motor Company
3 Alen, Markku FI Lancia Delta S4
Kivimaki, Ilkka FI Martini Lancia
4 Pond, Tony GB MG Metro 6R4
Arthur, Rob GB Austin Rover World Championship Team
5 Kankkunen, Juha FI Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 E2
Piironen, Juha FI Peugeot Talbot Sport
6 Grundel, Karl SE Ford RS200
Melander, Benny SE Ford Motor Company
7 Carlsson, Ingvar SE Mazda Familia 4WD
Bohlin, Jan-Olof SE Mazda Rallye Team Europe
9 Ericsson, Mikael SE Lancia Delta S4
Billstam, Claes SE Martini Lancia
10 Wilson, Malcolm GB MG Metro 6R4
Harris, Nigel GB Austin Rover World Championship Team
11 Sundstrom, Mikael FI Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 E2
Silander, Voitto FI Peugeot Talbot Sport
12 Lovell, Mark GB Ford RS200
Freeman, Roger GB Ford Motor Company
14 Llewellin, David GB MG Metro 6R4
Short, Phil GB Austin Rover World Championship Team
15 McRae, Jimmy GB MG Metro 6R4
Grindrod, Ian GB Austin Rover World Championship Team
16 Brookes, Russell GB Opel Manta 400
Broad, Mike GB Andrews Heat for Hire/GM Dealersport
17 Eklund, Per SE MG Metro 6R4
Whittock, David GB Austin Rover World Championship Team
18 Andervang, Stig SE Ford RS200
West, David GB Ford Motor Company
19 Duez, Marc BE MG Metro 6R4
Lux, Willy BE Austin Rover World Championship Team
20 Toivonen, Harri FI MG Metro 6R4
Wilson, Neil GB Austin Rover World Championship Team
21 Demuth, Harald DE Audi quattro Sport
Bond, Steve GB David Sutton Motorsport
23 Teesdale, Tony NZ MG Metro 6R4
Horne, Greg NZ Tony Teesdale
24 Haugland, John NO Skoda 130LR
Eckardt, Monika DE Skoda GB
25 Krecek, Ladislav CS Skoda 130LR
Motl, Borivoj CS Skoda GB
27 Eriksson, Kenneth SE Volkswagen Golf GTi
Diekmann, Peter DE Volkswagen Motorsport
28 Lampi, Lasse FI Audi Coupe
Kuukkala, Pentti FI Lasse Lampi
29 Airikkala, Pentti FI Vauxhall Astra GT/E
McNamee, Ronan IE British Telecom Mobile Phone
30 Wood, Andrew GB Vauxhall Astra GT/E
Nicholson, Michael GB GM Dealersport
32 Aitken-Walker, Louise GB Nissan 240 RS
Morgan, Ellen GB Team Nissan Europe
34 Sutherland, Alistair GB MG Metro 6R4
Watts, Peter GB CBL Motorsport
35 Rutherford, Willie GB MG Metro 6R4
Harris, Bryan GB Team Sanyo Rallying with Comet
36 Wood, Ken GB MG Metro 6R4
Brown, Peter GB Golden Wonder
37 Gillanders, David GB MG Metro 6R4
Rees, Ken GB Austin Rover Fleet
38 Palmqvist, Tomi FI Audi quattro
Lehtonen, Ossi FI Tomi Palmqvist Racing Ky
40 Lord, Christopher GB Audi quattro A2
Varley, Ronald GB Christopher Lord
42 Collins, Phil GB Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
Thomas, Bryan GB F.D.
43 Mellors, Chris GB Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
Staker, Brian GB Securicor Team Go-Phone
44 Doughty, Peter GB Opel Manta 400
Jenkins, Lyn GB McIntyre Machinery
45 Stoneman, Rob GB Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
Davis, Peter GB F.D.
46 Jones, Glyn GB Opel Manta 400
James, Ryland GB Glyn Jones
47 Holt, Ian GB Opel Manta 400
Sandham, Phil GB Tatham Tyre Service
48 Elliott, Andy GB Opel Manta 400
Dent, Mick GB Elliotts Hotel
49 Recordati, Giovanni IT Opel Manta 400
Delorme, Freddy FR Giovanni Recordati
50 Williams, David GB Nissan 240 RS
Goble, Wayne GB Innervisions Exhibitions Ltd
51 Roberton, Ian GB Nissan 240 RS
Hill, Ronald GB Ian Roberton Trading
52 Jackson, Alex GB Opel Manta 400
Baud, Keith GB AGJ Motors
53 Payne, Charles GB Opel Manta 400
Edwards, Hugh GB Lambson Lubricants
54 Prochowski, James GB Nissan 240 RS
Wood, Chris GB UB40
55 White, Clive GB Opel Manta 400
Whitecombe, Ian GB Clive White
56 Rastall, David GB Talbot Sunbeam
Jones, Robert GB F.D.
57 Barnes, Ray GB Talbot Sunbeam
Baker, Steve GB Ray Barnes
58 Fielding, Geoff GB MG Metro 6R4
Robinson, John GB Team Sanyo Rallying with Comet
59 Taylor, Geoff GB Opel Manta
Strong, Tony GB Charterhouse Bank
60 Haden, John GB Talbot Samba
Wheeldon, Paul GB Kematal Celenese
61 Chamberlain, Miles GB Citroen Visa
Rawsthorne, John GB Dorridge Auto Spares
62 Littler, Peter GB Citroen Visa
Davies, Chas GB Peter Littler
63 le Behot, Philippe FR Citroen Visa
Lebreton, Jean-Claude FR Philippe le Behot
64 Bradford, Roy GB Honda Civic
Kitto, Luke GB Livery Dole Garages
66 Davison, Simon GB Volkswagen Golf GTi
Grist, Nicky GB Simon Davison
67 Jonsson, Mats SE Opel Ascona
Johansson, Johnny SE Team Autoservice / Colway Tyres
68 Metcalfe, Dave GB Vauxhall Astra GT/E
Watkins, Paul GB GM Dealersport
69 Wiggins, Brian GB Vauxhall Astra GT/E
Shepherd, Tony GB Brian Wiggins
70 Saddington, Tony GB Vauxhall Astra GT/E
Turnbull, Andrew GB Tony Saddington
71 Kottulinsky, Susanne SE Volvo 240 Turbo
Thorner, Christina SE Swedish Air Force
72 Barry, Rob GB Opel Manta GT/E
Whittaker, Allan GB Alsecure Guards
73 Roughead, Ronald GB Opel Manta GT/E
Canavan, Ian GB F.D.
74 Clarke, Robert GB Opel Manta GT/E
Redmond, Mike GB Robert Clarke
75 Holland, Ray GB Opel Manta GT/E
Stevenson, William GB Konica Films and Cameras
76 Mowles, Philip GB Opel Manta GT/E
Rowe, Alistair GB Rally Team CSMA
78 Cox, Gavin GB Opel Ascona
Edwards, Les GB Charles Clark
79 Smith, Gordon GB Rover Vitesse
Ewing, Neil GB Gordon Smith
80 Yamauchi, Shinya JP Mitsubishi Starion Turbo
Collinson, Peter GB Shinya Yamauchi
81 Morton, John GB Subaru RX Turbo
Rogers, Dilys GB John Morton
82 Appleby, David GB Rover Vitesse
Boulton, Russell GB David Appleby
83 Brewis, Ewan GB Subaru RX Turbo
Clark, Tom GB Ewan Brewis
84 Easson, Jeremy GB Ford Capri
Smith, Tony GB Jeremy Easson
85 Ohba, Seisuke JP Mitsubishi Starion Turbo
Kusakabe, Yasuo JP Seisuke Ohba
86 Ingleby, James GB Ford Sierra XR4x4
Roy, Campbell GB James Ingleby
87 Phillips, Robert GB Mitsubishi Lancer
Leighton, Stephen GB Robert Phillips
88 Kamata, Yutaka JP Isuzu Gemini
Taguchi, Jiro JP Isuzu
89 Hazu, Kouichi JP Isuzu Gemini
Ichino, Hakaru JP Team Isuzu
90 Yamada, Masayuki JP Isuzu Gemini
Tanaka, Jun JP Masayuki Yamada
92 Fujita, Tetsuya JP Mitsubishi Starion Turbo
Taguchi, Masao JP Tetsuya Fujita
93 Hugla, Olivier FR Mitsubishi Lancer
Hugla, Philippe FR Olivier Hugla
94 Wadman, Basil GB Peugeot 205 GTI
Winter, Richard GB Devizes & District Motor Club
95 Lyons, Robin GB Peugeot 205 GTI
Grey, David GB Robin Lyons
96 Skidmore, Ken GB Talbot Sunbeam
Woodward, Charles GB Simpsons of Colne
97 Hayward, Terry GB Talbot Sunbeam
Lewis, Colin GB Eaton
98 Ridley, Ken GB Toyota Corolla
Bradford, Gordon GB Post Office Counter Services
99 Orchard, Andrew GB Peugeot 205 GTI
Hughes, Paul GB Truscotts of Launcerston
100 Leppard, John GB Peugeot 205 GTI
Manchester, David GB Charters of Aldershort Ltd
101 Durrant, Peter GB Peugeot 205 GTI
Hodge, John GB Peter Durrant Motors Ltd
102 Sugondo, Barry GB Talbot Sunbeam
East, Geoffrey GB Oxford Motor Club
103 Colten, Nigel GB Talbot Sunbeam
Smith, Michael GB F.D.
104 Lorenzetti, Jacky FR Peugeot 205 GTI
Moreau, Jacques FR Jacky Lorenzetti
105 Clements, Tony GB Talbot Sunbeam
McNeill, Roy GB F.D.
106 Huxford, David GB Talbot Sunbeam
Pestridge, Peter GB F.D.
107 Freestone, Iain GB Talbot Sunbeam
Lebeter, Mick GB Iain Freestone
108 Dudman, John GB Talbot Sunbeam
Wood, Philip GB Comtec Electronics
109 Smith, Geoff GB Peugeot 205 GTI
Hazelhurst, Brian GB Geoff Smith
110 Williams, Jeffrey GB Talbot Sunbeam
Williams, Vincent GB Jeffrey Williams
111 Mullins, George GB Fiat Uno
Taylor, Geoff GB Avanti Tuning Ltd
113 Hockly, Harry GB Vauxhall Nova
Meadows, John GB Harry Hockly
114 Birkbeck, Chris GB Vauxhall Nova
Godden, Trevor GB Chris Birkbeck
115 Parkinson, Graham GB Vauxhall
Parkinson, Sue GB Graham Parkinson
116 Hunt, Warren GB Vauxhall Nova
Forrester, Duncan GB Springhill Motorsport Club
117 Young, David GB Vauxhall Astra
Senior, David GB British Junior Rally Team
118 Shields, Tony GB Opel Corsa
Straw, Philip GB F.D.
119 Kuosmanen, Tapio FI Toyota Starlet
Silvennoinen, Seppo FI Tapio Kuosmanen
120 Mavropoulos, Dimi CY Skoda 130
Adams, Dave GB Skoda GB
121 Dautheribes, Jean-Francois FR Talbot Samba
Devriese, Jean FR Jean-Francois Dautheribes
122 Beesley, David GB Vauxhall Astra
Balmond, Graham GB David Beesley
123 Easton, Steven GB Vauxhall Astra
Kay, Andy GB Steven Easton
124 Donnelly, Michael GB Vauxhall Nova
Halkyard, Peter GB Michael Donnelly
125 Cressey, John GB Vauxhall Astra
Savage, Kevin GB John Cressey
126 Waddington, Andy GB Vauxhall Nova
Waddington, Adrian GB Andy Waddington
127 Madge, Martin GB Lada 2105
Barnett, Brian GB Martin Madge
128 Corry, John GB Lada 2105
Cheetham, John GB John Corry
129 Wood, John GB Lada 2105
Taylor, Stuart GB John Wood
130 Waterman, Alan GB Lada 2105
Price, Robert GB Alan Waterman
131 White, Ray GB Lada 2105
Pike, Martin GB Ray White
132 Jones, David GB Lada 2105
Archer, Gordon GB David Jones
133 Mellor, Harry GB Lada 2105
Bastiana, Eddie GB Harry Mellor
134 Harris, Philip GB Skoda 130
Harris, Leslie GB Philip Harris
135 Anderson, Mike GB Vauxhall Nova
Green, Robert GB Mike Anderson
136 Ryan, Tom GB Toyota Corolla
Casbon, Declan GB Tom Ryan
137 Maslen, David GB Mazda Familia 4WD
Balfour, Andrew GB David Maslen
138 Morgan, Russell GB Mercedes Benz 190
Panaro, Anthony GB Russell Morgan
139 Donaldson, Ian GB Ford Sierra XR4x4
Taylor, Richard GB Ian Donaldson
140 Rees, Christopher GB Ford Sierra XR4x4
Heymer, Malcolm GB Christopher Rees
141 Muldoon, Rex AU Ford Sierra XR4x4
Bannister, Kim GB Rex Muldoon
143 Lockyear, Sean GB Volkswagen Golf GTi
Horgan, Graham GB British Junior Rally Team
144 Gobert, Philippe FR Fiat Uno Turbo
Hudson, Richard GB Philippe Gobert
146 Arnold, Christopher GB Vauxhall Astra GT/E
Ambler, John GB Christopher Arnold
146 Morley, John GB Vauxhall Astra
Honeywell, Bill GB John Morley
148 Clayton, Phil GB Toyota Corolla
Dunhill, Richard GB Phil Clayton
149 Thuriot, Xavier FR Peugeot 205 GTI
Levivier, Remy FR Xavier Thuriot
150 Dubert, Jacques FR Peugeot 205 GTI
Yobe, Martine FR Jacques Dubert
151 Ward, Steve GB Peugeot 205 GTI
Hubbard, Chas GB Steve Ward
152 Stoddart, Chris GB Peugeot 205 GTI
Cullen, Christopher GB Chris Stoddart
153 Randall, Ian GB Toyota Corolla
Bradshaw, Ian GB Ian Randall
154 Jarvis, Gordon GB Talbot Sunbeam
Stewart, Gavin GB Reading Garage Ltd
155 Banyard, Alex GB Toyota Corolla
Goodrick, Alan GB Rally Team CSMA
156 Buckler, Mike GB Alfa Romeo Alfasud
Buckley, Judy GB Metlex Bathroom Fittings
157 Williams, John GB Toyota Corolla
Phillips, Tony GB John Williams
158 Harington, Stuart GB Peugeot 205 GTI
Willetts, Anthony GB Stuart Harington
159 Nieminen, Vesa FI Peugeot 205 GTI
Saxberg, Ari FI Vesa Nieminen
160 Anderson, Guy GB Talbot Sunbeam
Hands, Anthony GB Middlesex County Automobile Club
161 Furber, Kevin GB Vauxhall Nova
Stanworth, Alan GB Springhill Motorsport Club
162 Bassett, Alistair GB Talbot Samba
Clark, Ernie GB Alistair Bassett
163 Brown, Russell GB Talbot Sunbeam
Hopkins, Kris GB Russell Brown
164 Godwin, Trevor GB Opel Kadett
Wyer, David GB Trevor Godwin
165 Hill, Andrew GB Vauxhall Astra GT/E
Grant, Rob GB Andrew Hill

[rtz62]

I honestly don't think there are ANY words to describe these magnificent beasts.
What always struck me was how, over a jump, the nose would pitch increasingly heaven-wards.
I always wondered if, given sufficient run-up and speed, wether it would pitch upwards so drastically as to land on its tail-lights?!?!
Ditto the comment about the RAC Rally, nothing, not even McRae or Burns in their pomp could compare with GpB (and that's a criticism of 'modern rally cars', not the two great men themselves).

[hope2421]

What a wonderful noise, best ever Group B Rally car........love to have a go in one.

[Oddball RS]

When real cars were used, when the rally is this country was a 'proper' length rally, you can shove your WRC.

[Geoff Ashcroft]

Cahoonas don't get any bigger. Vid was just too short

[MajorProblem]

If say you we're a billionaire could you bring back a group b rally series? Have massive rewards for winning, massive risks for taking part?

[rallycross]

sorry about the long list, please dont spoil a great thread with childish re-quoting of an overly long 1980's group B entry list.

What I love about the Quattro S1 is that it was never going to work but Audi kept on going with it.
Thy had fallen behind the competition, the early Quattro re-defined rallying with 4wd and turbo's, they were unbeatable.
Then the mid engined pure group B specials arrived (205 T16, Delta S4, 6R4, RS200) and Audi responded with even more power, bigger brakes (water cooled) but the car was never going to win as it was a front engined beast, true to its road car roots, whereas the competition were out and out racing cars built for the rally stage mid engined no compromise racers.

[RINGMEISTER]

Cue German accent "Now that's what I'm talking about boyyys!"

[quantum_man]

Now THAT is an Audi! How embarrassing that they now make such dull machinery...

[dscam]

Absolutely monumental! These were the days indeed. Sad that the closest we get now is via YouTube (but better than nothing).

Enjoyed the Van Halen reference in your 'jump' caption too PH! Good work

[Limpet]

One of my all time favourite cars. What a noise!

[Slippydiff]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f841sP_mtyE (skip the first 50 odd seconds)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlNiULREfB8

Build pics here : http://prospeed.bg/en/blog/2/15

Edited by Slippydiff on Monday 25th March 20:05

[Krikkit]

Phwoar.

[ChrisRS6]

quantum_man said:

Now THAT is an Audi! How embarrassing that they now make such dull machinery...

Please go away.....yawn.

[ArmaghMan]

Shan't quote te list but with no
Mouton, Michelle
Pons, Fabrizia
It doesn't do it for me!