FIA European Championships for Rallycross Drivers

The FIA European Championship for Rallycross Drivers is a rallycross competition held in Europe, organized under the auspices of the FIA.

History

The championship began in 1973 as the Embassy/ERA European Rallycross Championship. In 1976 the FIA created regulations for rallycross and awarded the first official European cup. For 1978 two classes became introduced, one class for Touring cars and one for Grand Touring cars, but the FIA European cup was for the driver with the highest amount of scored points from both Divisions, Norwegian Martin Schanche. In 1979 Schanche claimed the first ever true FIA European championship title.

In 1982 the FIA reorganized the classes into Division 1, for Group A but restricted to two-wheel drive, and Division 2 for the so-called Rallycross Specials, which allowed the use of four-wheel drive. The first European Champions under this new rules became Norwegian Egil Stenshagen and Austrian Franz Wurz (father of ex-Formula One driver Alexander Wurz).

After several major accidents, Group B cars were banned from the WRC at the end of 1986, but found their new home in the European Rallycross Championship in 1987. Division 1 continued to use only two-wheel drive touring cars, but the Division 2 received the exotic Group B machinery such as the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 E2, Ford RS200 E2, Lancia Delta S4, Audi Sport Quattro S1 or MG Metro 6R4, which continued to be prepared past their highest point of evolution in rallying.

Beginning in the 1993 season, the Group B cars disappeared and the four-wheel drive "specials" came in to the era. Division 1 was now open to four-wheel drive cars, but using Group N regulations. Division 2 was based in Group A, but allowing several extra modifications such as changing to a different engine produced by the same manufacturer, adding a turbocharger or four-wheel drive. This allowed the creation of machines based on the Citroën Xantia, Peugeot 306 or Ford Escort RS2000. A third division was added, for two-wheel drive cars up to 1.4 litres, called 1400 Cup, but the title was recognized by the FIA only in 1995.

In 1997, the divisions were swapped, with Division 1 now becoming the primary class, with Group A-based cars, and Group N moving to Division 2. In 1999, Division 1 was allowed cars based on WRC and Supertouring regulations, but with the same set of freedoms as the Group A (adding turbochargers and four-wheel drive where needed). Division 2 kept Group N, but with a maximum displacement of 2.0 litres and only two-wheel drive. In 2001 the 1400 Cup's status was upgraded to Division 2A.

For 2003, the class format was revised once more, assuming the form that is currently used. Division 1 and Division 2 remain essentially identical, with 4WD turbocharged Group A "specials" and 2WD normally aspirated 2.0 litre Group N cars, respectively, but a new Division A1 was created to replace the 1400 Cup, with regular Group A cars up to 1.6 litres.

Champions

Year Overall
1976 1. Franz Wurz Lancia Stratos HF 2.4
2. Cees Teurlings Porsche 911 Carrera
3. Rolf Nilsson Porsche 911 Carrera
1977 1. Herbert Grünsteidl Alpine A310 16V
Alpine A310 V6
2. Per Engseth Porsche 911 Carrera
3. Stig Emilsson Porsche 911 Carrera
1978 1. Martin Schanche
(FIA European Cup winner)
Ford Escort RS1800
2. Andy Bentza
(GT Division winner)
Lancia Stratos HF 3.0
3. Åke Andersson Porsche 911 Carrera
Year TC Division GT Division
1979 1. Martin Schanche Ford Escort RS1800 Olle Arnesson Porsche 911 Carrera
2. Jan de Rooy Ford Escort RS1800 Per Engseth Porsche 911 Carrera
3. Anders Hultqvist VW 1303S Turbo Andy Bentza Lancia Stratos HF
1980 1. Per-Inge Walfridsson Volvo 343 Turbo Olle Arnesson Porsche 911 SC
2. Martin Schanche Ford Escort RS1800 Andy Bentza Lancia Stratos HF
3. Per Engseth Volvo 343 Turbo Matti Alamäki Porsche 911 SC
1981 1. Martin Schanche Ford Escort RS1800 Turbo Matti Alamäki Porsche 911 SC
2. Piet Dam BMW 320i Olle Arnesson Porsche 911 SC
3. Per-Inge Walfridsson Volvo 343/16 Turbo Andy Bentza Lancia Stratos HF
Year Division 1 Division 2
1982 1. Egil Stenshagen Volkswagen Golf GTI 1.6 Franz Wurz Audi Quattro
2. Svein Hagen Talbot Rallye 3 Martin Schanche Ford Escort RS1800 Turbo
3. Knut Boberg Volkswagen Golf GTI Jan de Rooy Audi Quattro
1983 1. Egil Stenshagen Volkswagen Golf GTI 1.8 Olle Arnesson Audi Quattro
2. Lars Nyström Volvo 240 Turbo Rolf Nilsson Porsche 911 SC
3. Ludvig Hunsbedt Opel Ascona i2000 Seppo Niittymäki Porsche 911 BiTurbo
1984 1. Anders Norstedt Saab 900 Turbo Martin Schanche Ford Escort XR3 T16 4x4
2. Lars Nyström Volvo 240 Turbo Seppo Niittymäki Porsche 911 BiTurbo 4x4
3. Bjørn Skogstad Opel Ascona i2000 Olle Arnesson Audi Quattro
1985 1. Anders Norstedt Saab 900 Turbo Matti Alamäki Porsche 911 BiTurbo 4x4
2. Lars Nyström Volvo 240 Turbo Martin Schanche Ford Escort XR3 T16 4x4
3. Bjørn Skogstad Opel Ascona i2000 Olle Arnesson Audi Quattro
1986 1. Anders Norstedt Saab 900 Turbo Olle Arnesson Audi Quattro 20V
2. Per-Ove Davidsson Volvo 240 Turbo Martin Schanche Ford Escort XR3 T16 4x4
3. Trevor Reeves Ford Escort RS Turbo Matti Alamäki Porsche 911 BiTurbo 4x4
1987 1. Per-Ove Davidsson Volvo 240 Turbo Seppo Niittymäki Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 E2
2. Herbert Breiteneder Volkswagen Golf GTI 16V Matti Alamäki Lancia Delta S4
3. Anders Norstedt Saab 900 Turbo Olle Arnesson Audi Sport Quattro S1
1988 1. Bjørn Skogstad Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Matti Alamäki Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 E2
2. Herbert Breiteneder Volkswagen Golf GTI 16V Martin Schanche Ford RS200 E2
3. Anders Norstedt Saab 900 Turbo 16 Will Gollop MG Metro 6R4
1989 1. Kenneth Hansen Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Matti Alamäki Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 E2
2. Bjørn Skogstad Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Martin Schanche Ford RS200 E2
3. Trevor Reeves Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Will Gollop MG Metro 6R4 BiTurbo
1990 1. Kenneth Hansen Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Matti Alamäki Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 E2
2. Bjørn Skogstad Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Martin Schanche Ford RS200 E2
3. Bengt Ekström BMW M3 Will Gollop MG Metro 6R4 BiTurbo
1991 1. Kenneth Hansen Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Martin Schanche Ford RS200 E2
2. Bjørn Skogstad Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Will Gollop MG Metro 6R4 BiTurbo
3. Steinar Jøranli Opel Kadett GSi 16V Thor Holm Ford RS200 E2
1992 1. Kenneth Hansen Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Will Gollop MG Metro 6R4 BiTurbo
2. Bjørn Skogstad Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Pat Doran Ford RS200 E2
3. Michael Jernberg Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Pekka Rantanen Ford RS200 E2
Year Division 1 Division 2 1400 Cup
1993 1. Ludvig Hunsbedt Ford Escort RS Cosworth Jean-Luc Pailler Citroën BX GTi T16 4x4 Tony Kuypers Citroën AX GT
Citroën AX Sport
2. Eivind Opland Nissan Sunny GTI-R Kenneth Hansen Citroën ZX T16 4x4 Manfred Beck Citroën AX Sport
3. Richard Hutton Ford Escort RS Cosworth Tommy Kristoffersson Audi Coupé S2 20V Pavel Novotný Citroën AX Sport
1994 1. Richard Hutton Ford Escort RS Cosworth Kenneth Hansen Citroën ZX T16 4x4 Susann Bergvall Citroën AX Sport
2. Bernd Leinemann Ford Escort RS Cosworth Martin Schanche Ford Escort RS2000 T16 4x4 Manfred Beck Citroën AX Sport
3. Ludvig Hunsbedt Ford Escort RS Cosworth Jean-Luc Pailler Citroën Xantia T16 4x4 Rudy Lauwers Peugeot 205 Rallye
1995 1. Eivind Opland Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution II Martin Schanche Ford Escort RS2000 T16 4x4 Ko Kasse Citroën AX GTi
2. Jos Kuypers Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution II Kenneth Hansen Citroën ZX T16 4x4 Manfred Beck Citroën AX Sport
3. Gunde Svan Toyota Celica GT-Four Jean-Luc Pailler Citroën Xantia T16 4x4 Pavel Novotný Citroën AX GTi
1996 1. Eivind Opland Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III Kenneth Hansen Citroën ZX T16 4x4 Manfred Beck Citroën AX GTi
2. Lasse Sällström Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III Ludvig Hunsbedt Ford Escort RS2000 T16 4x4 Ko Kasse Citroën AX GTi
3. Jos Kuypers Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III Jean-Luc Pailler Citroën Xantia T16 4x4 Sven Seeliger Citroën AX GTi
Year Division 1 Division 2 1400 Cup (Div. 2A)
1997 1. Ludvig Hunsbedt Ford Escort RS2000 T16 4x4 Eivind Opland Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III Jaroslav Kalný Peugeot 106 Rallye
2. Kenneth Hansen Citroën ZX T16 4x4 Pavel Koutný Ford Escort RS Cosworth Sven Seeliger Citroën AX GTi
3. Martin Schanche Ford Escort RS2000 T16 4x4 Lasse Sällström Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III Vlastimil Boháček Peugeot 106 XSi
1998 1. Kenneth Hansen Citroën Xsara VTS T16 4x4 Eivind Opland Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V Jaroslav Kalný Peugeot 106 Rallye
2. Per Eklund Saab 900 T16 4x4 Jos Kuypers Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III Magnus Hansen Citroën AX GTi
3. Martin Schanche Ford Escort RS2000 T16 4x4 Bjørn Skogstad Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III Jean-Michel Laurant Peugeot 106 XSi
1999 1. Per Eklund Saab 9-3 T16 4x4 Magnus Hansen Citroën Xsara VTS Johnny Jensen Citroën AX GTi
2. Kenneth Hansen Citroën Xsara VTS T16 4x4 Jaroslav Kalný Peugeot 306 S16 Jean-Michel Laurant Peugeot 106 XSi
3. Ludvig Hunsbedt Ford Escort RS2000 T16 4x4 Pavel Novotný Citroën Xsara VTS Jaroslav Marchal Volkswagen Polo 1.4 16V
2000 1. Kenneth Hansen Citroën Xsara WRC Eddy Bénézet Peugeot 306 S16 Sven Seeliger Citroën AX GTi
2. Jean-Luc Pailler Peugeot 206 WRC Jouko Kallio Honda Integra Type R Michaël De Keersmaecker Peugeot 106 XSi
3. Per Eklund Saab 9-3 T16 4x4 Magnus Hansen Citroën Xsara VTS Jaroslav Marchal Volkswagen Polo 1.4 16V
2001 1. Kenneth Hansen Citroën Xsara WRC Ronny Scheveneels Volkswagen Golf GTI 16V Sven Seeliger Citroën AX GTi
2. Ludvig Hunsbedt Ford Focus WRC Magnus Hansen Citroën Xsara VTS Tomasz Oleksiak Peugeot 106 XSi
3. Per Eklund Saab 9-3 T16 4x4 Guttorm Lindefjell Peugeot 306 S16 Michaël De Keersmaecker Peugeot 106 XSi
2002 1. Kenneth Hansen Citroën Xsara WRC Marc-Jan Vlassak Opel Astra OPC Aleš Zázvorka Volkswagen Polo 1.4 16V
2. Per Eklund Saab 9-3 T16 4x4 Magnus Hansen Citroën Xsara VTS Krzysztof Groblewski Volkswagen Polo 1.4 16V
3. Pavel Koutný Ford Focus WRC
Ford Escort WRC
Ronny Scheveneels Volkswagen Golf GTI 16V Milan Peruth Volkswagen Polo 1.4 16V
Year Division 1 Division 1A Division 2
2003 1. Kenneth Hansen Citroën Xsara T16 4x4 Jaroslav Kalný Peugeot 206 XS' Guttorm Lindefjell Opel Astra OPC
2. Per Eklund Saab 9-3 T16 4x4 Krzysztof Groblewski Volkswagen Polo GTI Harald Sachweh Opel Astra OPC
3. Jean-Luc Pailler Peugeot 206 T16 4x4 Ron Snoeck SEAT Ibiza 16V Jussi Pinomäki Renault Clio RS
2004 1. Kenneth Hansen Citroën Xsara T16 4x4 Ron Snoeck SEAT Ibiza 16V Jussi Pinomäki Renault Clio RS Ragnotti
2. Michael Jernberg Ford Focus T16 4x4 Krzysztof Groblewski Volkswagen Polo GTI Harald Sachweh Opel Astra OPC
3. Jos Kuypers Ford Focus T16 4x4 Marcin Laskowski Peugeot 106 S16 Per Gustafsson Peugeot 206 RC
2005 1. Kenneth Hansen Citroën Xsara T16 4x4 Ron Snoeck SEAT Ibiza 16V Jussi Pinomäki Renault Clio RS Ragnotti
2. Michael Jernberg Ford Focus T16 4x4 Jaroslav Kalný Peugeot 206 XSi Michaël De Keersmaecker Honda Civic Type R
3. Sverre Isachsen Ford Focus T16 4x4 Morten Jespersen Peugeot 106 S16 Marcus Nilsson Peugeot 206 RC
2006 1. Lars Larsson Škoda Fabia T16 4x4 Krzysztof Groblewski Volkswagen Polo GTI Roman Častoral Opel Astra OPC
2. Kenneth Hansen Citroën C4 T16 4x4 Morten Jespersen Peugeot 106 S16 Mattias Thörjesson Opel Astra OPC
3. Tommy Rustad Ford Focus T16 4x4 Jussi Pinomäki Renault Clio 1.6 Tomáš Kotek Honda Civic Type R
2007 1. Lars Larsson Škoda Fabia T16 4x4 Michaël De Keersmaecker Opel Corsa GSi Tomáš Kotek Honda Civic Type R
2. Kenneth Hansen Citroën C4 T16 4x4 Jaroslav Kalný Peugeot 206 XS Roman Častoral Opel Astra OPC
3. Andréas Eriksson Ford Fiesta ST T16 4x4 Olivier Bossard Citroën Saxo VTS
Citroën C2 GT
Martynas Padgurskis Renault Clio RS
2008 1. Kenneth Hansen Citroën C4 T16 4x4 Jussi Pinomäki Renault Clio Tomáš Kotek Honda Civic Type R
2. Ludvig Hunsbedt Volvo S40 T16 4x4 Olivier Bossard Citroën C2 Roman Častoral Opel Astra OPC
3. Michael Jernberg Škoda Fabia Mk2 T16 4x4 Zdeněk Čermák Škoda Fabia Mk1 Ondřej Smetana Honda Civic Type R
2009 1. Sverre Isachsen Ford Focus ST T16 4x4 Mats Lysen Renault Clio Mk2 Knut Ove Børseth Ford Fiesta ST RWD
2. Michael Jernberg Škoda Fabia Mk2 T16 4x4 Eduard Leganov Volkswagen Polo Mk4 Jos Sterkens Ford Focus ST RWD
3. Kenneth Hansen Citroën C4 T16 4x4 Timur Timerzyanov Renault Clio Mk2 Guino Kenis BMW 120
2010 1. Sverre Isachsen Ford Focus ST T16 4x4 Timur Timerzyanov Renault Clio Mk2 Derek Tohill Ford Fiesta Mk7 RWD
2. Kenneth Hansen Citroën C4 T16 4x4 Ildar Rakhmatullin Renault Clio Mk2 Knut Ove Børseth Ford Fiesta Mk7 RWD
3. Liam Doran Citroën C4 T16 4x4 Andreas Bakkerud Peugeot 206/Renault Clio Mk2 Ole Kristian Nøttveit Citroën Xsara RWD/Mazda RX-8

External links