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settembre 10, 2021 - Skoda Racing

Motorsport versions of the ŠKODA FAVORIT (1989): All different – and yet familiar

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› In 1987, after a quarter of a century, the ŠKODA #favorit was for many years the last ŠKODA vehicle with a rear-mounted engine and drivetrain
› As a #rally car, the #favorit regularly claimed victories in the under-1,300 cm3 class and held its own in the overall standings of the WRC
› Highlight of the FAVORIT’s motorsport career: Victory in the ‘Formula 2’ category for vehicles with one driven axle and a maximum engine capacity of two litres in 1994
› Four-cylinder eight-valve engine with 1,299 cm³ displacement and OHV valve control delivered 105 hp and 117 Nm of torque

Mladá Boleslav, 10 September 2021 – The long era of ŠKODA vehicles with rear-engine and rear-wheel drive came to an end in 1988: the factory drivers from Mladá Boleslav drove their final rallies in the legendary 130 LR vehicles and began training in the new, front-wheel-drive ŠKODA #favorit practically overnight. 

In addition to the complete selection of images accompanying this press release, the ŠKODA Storyboard also offers a 32-page brochure and a comprehensive selection of articles and features on various topics from 120 years of ŠKODA Motorsport.

While the ŠKODA 130 LR was still #racing on domestic #rally tracks in September 1987, there was a considerable paradigm shift at the International Engineering Fair in Brno, where ŠKODA unveiled the #favorit to widespread interest. The modern hatchback with front-mounted engine and drivetrain was an entirely new development and the Czech carmaker believed it would also have strong sales prospects in the demanding Western European markets. In Mladá Boleslav, the team immediately began working on a #rally version, the success of which would be key to promoting the new model internationally.

Works driver Vladimír Berger played an important role in developing the #racing vehicle. For tuning purposes, he drove the ŠKODA #favorit, which had not yet been officially homologated, at selected rallies in the 1988 Czechoslovak championship. The homologation of the vehicle followed  on 1 January 1989 under the registration number A-5373. The #favorit celebrated a successful debut with the driver teams Křeček/Motl, Sibera/Gross and Berger/Petera shortly afterwards at the traditional ‘Valašská zima’ #rally. The #favorit celebrated its international premiere at the Finnish Hanki #rally, driving to class victory with Kalevi Aho at the wheel. The #favorit continued to
dominate in the following years, winning almost every race in its class. It also asserted itself against the competition in demanding WRC rounds such as the Monte Carlo #rally, the RAC #rally, the Finnish 1000 Lakes #rally and the Acropolis #rally. The winning streak of the duo Pavel Sibera/ Petr Gross, who won their class four times in a row at the Monte Carlo #rally between 1991 and 1994, was particularly impressive.

Further information in the press release to download