Portugal Rally

Master tactician Walter Röhrl went out of his way to ensure that Audi team-mate Hannu Mikkola won in Portugal after he lost any chance of victory himself (above). After a disappointing drive on Monte Carlo, Mikkola was much back on form, richly deserving his third ever Portugal win, his second in a row (above, right). The thorn in Audi’s side was Markku Alen who also made up for a disappointing Monte by finishing a close second in the Lancia Rally (below, right). Welsh privateer Russell Gooding was richly rewarded for his enterprise by finishing tenth in his Vauxhall Chevette (below).

Leader at the end of the first 15 stage tarmac leg was European Champion Massimo Biasion (above) on only his first attempt at the Portuguese Rally. On the gravel stages he slipped back, but still managed fourth, team orders dictating that he forfeited third to fellow Lancia driver Attilio Bettega. Toyota made their first appearance of the season with the powerful Celica Turbo, Bjorn Waldegärd retiring whilst in the top 10 placings with a broken prop-shaft (below). Jean Ragnotti was a good fifth in his factory entered Renault 5 Turbo (bottom).