https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/kankkunen-rally1-is-like-the-group-b-era/
“[Group B] cars,” smiled the legendary Finn, “these cars are not for the boys. These cars are for the men.”
World Rally Cars were, of course, faster than Group B. But there was nothing like the brutality. Fancy transmission, active suspension and all manner of bells and whistles had undoubtedly made the cars quicker. And, in the eyes of many, less of a challenge.
Kankkunen was one of many from his generation who felt that ultimate knife-edge ‘men only’ challenge might have gone for good.
He was wrong.
And he was the first to admit it. Just as soon as he’d driven a Rally1 car for the first time.
Remembering his time behind the wheel of this season’s Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, draws that same smile.
“It is,” he said, “for the men. It’s like Group B. Not for the boys.
“It was something similar to the Peugeot, but Yaris was 10 times easier and better to drive. Suspension is good. Power is nothing special – the Peugeot was more powerful probably on the straight-line because it was so light and so powerful. But cornering? Jumping? Forget it!”