Walter Rohrl Audi Sport Quattro S1 n° 1 Winner Pikes Peak 1987 1/18 Autoart 88700

Audi Sport Quattro S1 n°1

Winner Pikes Peak 1987

Team Audi Sport WRT

Driver Walter Rohrl

Scale 1/18

Manufacturer Autoart

Article ID 88700

Audi's conquest of the US market begins with a demonstration of strength from the famous Quattro Group B and their iconic driver Walter Röhrl in the prestigious Pikes Peak coast race.

Pikes Peak is the name of a mountain in the U.S. state of Colorado where one of the most famous races in the world has been held every year since 1915. 19.90 km of climb divided into 156 turns that do not forgive any mistakes. A departure at 2865m of altitude for an arrival 1440m higher... or 4305m. With a real risk of suffocation for drivers and engines.

Audi began to become interested in Pikes Peak by hiring a Quattro S1 through Audi of America with John Buffum as the driver, who won the race in his category in 1982 and 1983. The official team then decides to send its best drivers, at the wheel of specially prepared cars. Michèle Mouton with a 2nd place in 1984 and a victory in 1985 improved the record of the race of 13 seconds. She became the first woman and the first non-American to win the race.

In 1986 it was Bobby Unser, the stage local, who succeeded him to the first place in the general, at the wheel of a new Quattro even more sharp. In 1987 the opponents finally woke up. Three ultra-performing 205 T16s from Peugeot Talbot Sport come to the Colorado giant with Vatanen, Mehta and Zanussi at their wheel. But it is still Audi and Walter Röhrl on his Quattro Sport S1 of more than 600 hp who imposes himself magistrally by being the first driver to pass below the bar of 11 minutes.

Audi is cordially invited not to participate in the 1988 race. Without being discouraged, the Ingolstadt brand then decided to capitalize on the successes achieved in Colorado by successfully engaging three 200 Quattro in the Trans-Am championship, then the 90 Quattro to GTO the following year with including Hurley Haywood, Walter Rôhrl and Hans Joachim Stück as drivers.