33 years ago: Béguin's only WRC success with the BMW M3

Before Prodrive was associated with Subaru, the company founded by David Richards in 1984 was involved in privately entering Group A BMW M3 E30s in world rallies. The German sedan is changing its face and is no longer a cushy car with nearly 300 horsepower to pass through the rear axle!

In 1987, Bernard Béguin took the start of the Tour de Corse in the company of Jean-Jacques Lenne. Facing them, the Ford Sierra RS Cosworths of Didier Auriol and the young Carlos Sainz, but also small Renault 11 Turbo by Jean Ragnotti, François Chatriot and Alain Oreille, less powerful by 100 horsepower but much more agile on the winding roads of the Isle of Beauty. 

As for the Lancia Delta HF of Massimo Biasion and Yves Loubet, they are in a bad position. They are not the most powerful (250 horsepower) but they are somewhat overweight. However, their four-wheel drive technology will be of real use to them on Corsican departmental roads. 

As this two-part report explains, the 1987 Tour de Corse saw the ban on night specials as well as the shortening of these specials to a maximum mileage of 30 terminals. But the fight for victory will not lose intensity