Lancia Beta Montecarlo

by Michael Satterfield

The Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo was created to compete in Group 5 1978 for the World Sportscar Championship, at the time called World Brands. The Montecarlo would go on to win championships in 1980 and 1981 and give us some of the wildest sportscar racing the world has ever seen.

by Michael Satterfield

Daniele Audetto formerly the Motorsports Director of Ferrari and Cesare Fiorio, former Motorsports Director with Lancia and Fiat in the World Rally Championship headed the Montecarlo team for Lancia. The Monte Carlo debut in the World Brands May 6, 1979, at the 6 Hours of Silverstone driven by Patrese and Röhrl who were forced to retire with engine problems.

The next 1000 km of Nürburgring saw the team finish but in 8th place. At the 6 Hours of Pergusa Patrese and Facetti took the pole position and second overall. At the 6 Hours of Brands Hatch Patrese and Röhrl is fifth overall and in their class. Lancia won the constructors' title in the division up to two liters in 1979. They would go onto win the overall championship in 1980 and again in 1981.

This car was photographed at the Friends of Steve McQueen Show in Chino Hills, California.