Despite its Mediterranean sounding name, Round 7 of the FIA World Rally Championship was held in the United States of America, starting at Tacoma, in Washington State. Lancias main competitors were absent from this rally, regrouping themselves for the major European events still to come, but the Olympus provided another milestone in rallying - the first event entered by a four-wheeled steering car-the Mitsubishi Galant V driven by Michael Lieu. A first tentative dip in the rallying ocean, how long before 4-w-s joins 4-w-d as the norm in the effort to utilize every ounce of horsepower?
Suzuki fielded three official entries on their annual foray into the rally scene, and they were rewarded with two top ten places with the Cultus GTI.
American rally star John Buffum was lured out of retirement by organisers to drive his Audi Quattro, and proved to be the Team Martini's closest rival, as the rally wound its way round Rock Candy Mountain, through Stillwater Glen and around Cranberry Marsh! As expected, the Lancias of Miki Biasion and Alex Fiori held sway over the depleted field, but let the dearth of entries detract not a jot from this excellent Videovision tape of rallying - States Style!