Group B was introduced by the FIA in 1982 as a replacement for both Group 4 (modified grand touring) and Group 5 (touring prototypes) cars. The category was aimed at car manufacturers by promising outright competition victories and the subsequent publicity opportunities without the need for an existing production model. Group B was initially a very popular group, with many manufacturers joining the premier World Rally Championship, and increased spectator numbers. Legends such as the R5 Turbo, Peugeot 205 T16, Audi Sportquattro, Lancia 037 and Delta S4, Metro 6R4 and many more ruled rallying for just over 4 years.

But the cost of competing quickly rose and the performance of the cars proved too much resulting in a series of fatal crashes. Group B was eventually abolished at the end of 1986 and quickly became known as the ‘Golden Age of Rallying’.