1979 Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo Group 5
1979 Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo Group 5
Brand
Lancia
Year
1979
Country
Italy
Generation
Montecarlo (Type 137)
1979 Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo Group 5
Brand
Lancia
Year
1979
Country
Italy
Generation
Montecarlo (Type 137)
About this car
Discover the history
The 1979 Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo Group 5 was a car that marked a major chapter in Lancia’s racing history. The car was developed to compete in the World Championship for Makes under Group 5 regulations, a class allowing extensive modifications to production-based vehicles. Designed by Dallara, one of the most respected names in race car engineering, the Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo featured a highly innovative and lightweight monocoque chassis, constructed from steel and aluminum, with a Pininfarina-designed composite body, which contributed to its aerodynamic efficiency.
The car was powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1425.9 cc. This engine, under FIA’s equivalency rule, was considered to be 1996.3 cc due to the turbo, making it eligible for the under-2-liter class. The Montecarlo Turbo’s engine output was formidable for the time, reaching 480 horsepower in racing trim, making it a competitive force against larger-engined rivals. Its independent suspension with stabilizing bars and McPherson struts ensured nimble handling, while the turbocharged engine’s raw power made it capable of extraordinary performance.
The car debuted in the 1979 season at the Silverstone 6 Hours, driven by Riccardo Patrese and Walter Röhrl. Unfortunately, the car suffered an early retirement due to engine issues, but Lancia quickly addressed the setbacks. Over the course of the season, the Beta Montecarlo Turbo proved to be a winning formula, with victories earned by a roster of skilled drivers, including Patrese, Röhrl, and Eddie Cheever. The car’s dominance in the under-2-liter class was clear, and by the end of the season, Lancia had secured the World Championship for Makes in its division.
The success continued into 1980, where the Montecarlo Turbo once again dominated its category. This season was particularly notable, as Lancia also introduced a slightly larger 2.0-liter engine to compete in the overall standings. The combination of its smaller-engine-class victories and this larger engine allowed Lancia to win its first overall World Championship for Makes. Drivers like Patrese, Cheever, and Michele Alboreto played a key role in this achievement, propelling Lancia to the forefront of international motorsport.
In 1981, Lancia continued its stranglehold on the under-2-liter class, claiming its third consecutive division title. However, the introduction of new Group C regulations in 1982 marked the beginning of the end for the Beta Montecarlo Turbo’s dominance. Despite this, the car had left an indelible mark on endurance racing. Its final competitive outings saw it placed in the hands of privateer teams, as Lancia shifted its focus to newer projects.
The Montecarlo Turbo’s blend of advanced engineering, lightweight construction, and immense power made it one of the most successful cars of its era in the World Championship for Makes. Its legacy is not just in its race wins but in the technological advancements it embodied for Lancia. The Group 5 regulations allowed manufacturers to push the boundaries of design, and Lancia, with the Beta Montecarlo Turbo, embraced these freedoms to build a car that was both a technical marvel and a consistent winner on the world stage.
