Everything was in place for a repeat in 1991. Toyota and Carlos Sainz were favourites for the title and it was difficult to argue against them based on the first seven months of the year. The Repsol driver took win after win at previously unconquered venues from January onwards.
First was the Monte Carlo Rally –the most prestigious on the WRC calendar. Sainz drove on the limit with his Toyota, but the hitherto unknown François Delecour was able to go faster onboard his Ford Escort Cosworth. However, on the final stage a suspension breakage for the Frenchman took him out of the tussle for the win, giving victory to Sainz.
The Spaniard was again on the top step of the podium in Portugal, with his run of impressive results only coming to an end in Kenya due to an engine breakdown. From then on, it was back to winning ways; At the Tour de Corse he took the win, then was only just bested by Kankkunen after a late puncture, followed by a second New Zealand Rally triumph and a win in Argentina. Five wins from seven races gave him a 32 point lead with five rounds to go –but it would all turn sour from there.
At the 1000 Lakes Rally, obliged to practice with an almost customer version of his car and with low speed available, and without his notes after they were robbed at Barajas Airport, Sainz drove on the edge before making a mistake when leading the Finnish race. He would place fourth, but there was worse to come in Australia when he did not change his Toyota’s suspension when going from off-road to asphalt. His vehicle was wild in its behavior and Sainz’ nervousness was evident in the special stage. The next day he was to experience one of the scariest moments of his career.
A big crash left Sainz requiring the use of a neck brace for a period, and with plenty of doubts. At the San Remo Rally he was unable to fight for the win due to physical, mental and transmission problems. He dropped three places when third in the standings, and was only kept in the chase when Kankkunen lost a wheel on the second stage.
The next round was the Catalonia-Costa Brava Rally, featuring for the first time on the WRC calendar. Sainz was backed by the home fans at the event, and he and teammate Armin Schwarz ended the first stage as leaders. Everything seemed to be stacked in their favour, but an inexplicable failure to start for his Toyota Celica CT-Four left him stranded in parc fermé at Lloret de Mar. Victory evaded Sainz –although Schwarz would win for Toyota.
Seven points separated Sainz and Kankkunen at Harrogate, for the start of the RAC Rally. This time it was an engine temperature issue which proved to be Sainz’ undoing, and it was Kankkunen who took the win and the title.
