VIN: the Martini Racing Lancia Delta S4 Evoluzione chassis 201
History of chassis 201
Chassis 201 was the first of 28 Delta S4 Evoluziones assembled and one of five cars used during the 1985 season.
Registered TO 2664, chassis 201 made the Delta S4’s public debut in Sardinia when it appeared as the course car for the 1985 Rally Costa Smerelda which took place between April 17th and 19th (round 12 of the European Rally Championship). Entered for Markku Alen and his navigator, Ilkka Kivimaki, chassis 201 lasted just eight stages before it was forced out with gearbox problems.
The team knew an issue with the transmission existed ahead of the event, but did not have a chance to fit the modified parts before the 621km all-tarmac contest kicked off. Although the S4 failed to complete the route, Lancia 037s filled the top five positions at the finish.
At this point, Lancia still hoped the S4 would make its WRC debut at the Finnish 1000 Lakes in late August.
The S4’s competitive debut came three weeks after the Costa Smerelda when Lancia headed to southern France for the Rallye de 1000 Pistes. The 1000 Pistes (a round of the French national championship) took place between July 6th and 7th on 266km of dusty gravel tracks at an army training ground.
Chassis 201 was once again allocated to Alen / Kivimaki. They would run in a special Experimental category laid on by the organisers.
Although the S4’s handling had been vastly improved since the Costa Smerelda, Alen still found the car tricky to drive.
A rather troubled appearance began when chassis 201 suffered turbocharger failure on the second stage of the first day. The car was duly recovered and fixed overnight. It restarted on day two and, despite a broken undershield and an intercooler that was too small (which meant the temperature of the mixture going into the engine was too high), Alen / Kivimaki did complete the rest of the route.
Afterwards Lancia announced that, owing to supply problems for the road cars, the S4 would not be homologated in time for the 1000 Lakes. The firm now hoped to have the S4 approved for use at the Rallye Sanremo in late October.
The S4’s third outing (and first proper competitive showing) came at the Rally Colline di Romagna between July 21st and 22nd. A round of the Coppa Italia that took place exclusively on gravel, the rally proved to be very hot and fast, but chassis 201 had no problems at all over the circa 500km route. All the crew had to do was change the tyres, fill up with fuel and bleed the brakes. Against limited opposition, Alen / Kivimaki ultimately won the event with ease and finished nearly nine minutes clear of their closest challenger.
Chassis 201 subsequently served as a spare car at a couple of events but was not competitively rallied again in period.
Notable History
Martini Racing
Registered TO 2664
17/04/1985 ERC Rally Costa Smerelda (M. Alen / I. Kivimaki) course car
06/07/1985 FRA Rallye de 1000 Pistes (M. Alen / I. Kivimaki) 1st Exp class (#201)
21/07/1985 CIT Rally Colline di Romagna (M. Alen / I. Kivimaki) 1st oa, 1st B4 class (#201)
Subsequently used as a spare car
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Lancia - https://www.lancia.com
