With the countdown to the upcoming FH5 Rally Adventure expansion in full swing, the Horizon Wilds Takeover series update features the dirtiest cars on the planet as well as Ken Block-themed challenges in honor of the late HHIC. The perfect time for a warm-up before the dirtiest rally gauntlet begins.
The Wet Season Playlist welcomes back two rally monsters that will come in handy when the Rally Adventure hits at the end of March. These are the Ford Focus RX from GYMKHANA 9 and the mythical #2 Audi Sport Quattro S1.
The 2016 Ford Focus RS RX #43 is specially modified for Ken Block's ninth Gymkhana outing; RAW INDUSTRIAL PLAYGROUND. With its turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder engine producing nearly twice the power as the normal 2.3L-powered road-going model, the 4WD rally monster is capable of burning all four wheels while unleashing hell in the industrial park. Apart from that, it features a Sadev 6-speed sequential gearbox, a special exterior design that complies with FIA World Rallycross regulations, Cosworth engine management and data logging, and Reiger suspension, among others.
As the improved version of the Audi Sport Quattro rally car, the S1 complies with Group B regulations, and with that, they've built 20 units for homologation purposes. Powering the Quattro S1 is a 2.1L inline-5 engine that produces 470hp of power, making it the most powerful rally car ever built, while mated to a then-experimental version of the dual-clutch gearbox, making it the forebearer of the double-clutch gearbox. Notable drivers include Hannu Mikkola, Walter Rohrl, Michele Mouton, Bobby Unser, and Stig Blomqvist, who won the 1984 WRC title. Apart from the WRC, the car saw success in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb from 1985, and 1987 to 1989.
Let's give these rally monsters a quick exercise before getting them ready for the upcoming Rally Adventure very soon. The ideal time to flex their muscles before getting ready for the most grueling rally gauntlets. Roll up the tape.
Although messy, they've flexed enough to take on the most grueling rally gauntlets coming very soon. Looks like these two are ready for the Rally Adventure.
It's rally season so let's celebrate by taking a wheel behind two of the most legendary machines that carved their own path during the heydays of Group B rallying; the Audi quattro and the Lancia 037. I was simply adored by the stories about how these two changed the rallying landscape forever from how Audi forever changed the WRC rules for allowing 4WD cars to enter rallying and how Lancia gunning down the might of the quattro by whatever means necessary to make the rear-wheel drive 037 a force to be reckoned with.
I love the way how Audi pioneered the quattro all-wheel-drive system and how it forever changed the rules not just in motorsports but also in the motoring industry. Ever since Audi demanded the organizers to allow four-wheel drive cars to compete in the World Rally Championship, it became a dominant force to be reckoned with as demonstrated by a double victory in 1982, a driver title win in 1983, and a double title again in 1984. It was clear proof that thanks to the Audi quattro, the all-wheel drive system became a common cause for most car companies, especially those competing at the WRC.
I also love the way how Lancia made a riposte against the Audi quattro with the 037 and how a ragtag rally team spearheaded by a playboy named Cesare Fiorio changed the rally landscape in favor of the 037, despite one of the drivers saying he doesn't want to be a world champion in the first place. Although being run by a power-boating playboy on a short budget and a part-time driver who didn't want to be world champion, they really know how to use their trump cards very well to confuse the organizers, especially the idea when they present 400 cars made for homologation purposes in a rather confusing kind of way. Did you know in the Monte Carlo rally, before the 037 goes rallying, the team bought kilos of salt so they can use it to clear the road as well as demand the French authorities to clear the road? Well, that excuse doesn't stop there because, after the icy stages of the Monte Carlo rally, they swapped tires. In the Corsica rally, meanwhile, they brought on four 037s to race, which is unheard of for WRC regulations. Then, in the San Remo Rally, the folks devised a little distraction while waiting for the dust to be settled and after all that lollygagging, the dust was gone and the 037 raced all the way to grab the manufacturer title win.
That's why this rivalry made it special in the history of the World Rally Championship because while Audi tries to prove that the quattro and its well-established team are the real rule-changer, Lancia tries to prove that their status as the undisputed king of WRCs is still going strong despite its eccentric management. With the rest of the WRC regulations changed thanks to the Audi quattro, the 037 is the ideal sendoff for rear-wheel drive rally cars and its victory against the quattro is the definitive proof that rear-wheel drive rally cars prevail through the very end. While I'm very amused over the legendary tale of quattro vs. 037 in the WRC, let's pit these rally legends around the Top Gear Track to see which one is king. However, it's raining outside, which gives the advantage to the quattro but you never know what sort of tricks the 037 might possess even in such drizzling conditions. Let's roll the tape...
And now, let's check out the time...
Quattro - 1:29.525
037 - 1:30.870
Whoa, that was too close to call for the 037. Seems that the wet weather favored the all-wheel drive Audi quattro but guess what, when it dries out, it might favor the 037, but still, it's been an honor to sample the biggest rivalry in rally history in a rather considerable way.
Looking back at those two rally legends made me realize how great this motorsport was back then and despite the change of times, rest assured that an epic rally rivalry like this would never be forgotten, especially when a team like Lancia's had some trump cards in store to favor the 037. It's rather sad that Lancia is now diminished into making a lone offering only sold in Italy while Audi continues to multiply like germs. It really is heartbreaking but with cars like these, it doesn't really matter which drivetrain you're up to. It's up to the strategy rally teams possess as long as they adhere to the rules they set foot in.
The Audi Sport Quattro S1 has been well-respected by many enthusiasts as the king of rally monsters because when this car took on Group B rallying, it racked up more WRC wins than any other rally car familiar by many.
From 1981 to 1985, from Hannu Mikkola to Walter Rohrl, the record of 23 WRC rally wins and two championship wins is clear benevolent factor that this legend is unstoppable in its own tracks until the end of Group B rally due to countless fatal accidents recorded in rally history.
With Forza Horizon 3 being a penchant for bringing rally cars on the open landscape, Festival-runners are free to explore the unmatched potential of this Group B rally king by any means necessary and as a matter of fact, spending lots of time driving this legendary rally monster is as enjoyable as a day-long binge watching of every VHS tapes featuring the very best of the Audi Sport Quattro's WRC career from start to finish.
Nothing like nostalgia best served hot and cold in a very reasonable manner and for anyone who has a delicate taste over classic rally machines, there's something worth as delicious as a gourmet school lunch.
With the car's bodykit preset locked and loaded, this 500HP monster has become even more potent on the dirt courses offered all over the Land Down Under, although the added weight is a small price to pay for a rally car with improved dynamics and further work needs to be done in order to bring out the best of this rally monster.
Care to see what's like to be with the legend?
Yeah, the one where the spoiler cut loose is a big whoopsie for me but it's been a honor to get to know about the Audi Sport Quattro S1, the legendary rally monster that teared down the woods during its rallying career.
