The Motorsport That Killed Its Own Fans..

Six hundred brake horsepower, 1 single rule and zero safety measures…
These were three of the reasons why pretty much everyone loved Group B
Unfortunately, they’re also 3 of the reasons it got banned… it was straight-up insanity, and you’re about to see the why..
It was known for being one of, if not the most dangerous sport to ever exist.
Some of the fastest cars in the world, incredible title fights, spectators being heavily injured, and way, way too many fatalities…
This is how & why Group B became world’s most dangerous motorsport & the legacy it left behind.
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[@DailyFuelUp]

Tried something new, your feedback is more than welcome! & if you wanna see more Motorsport content (not just F1), lmk what I should cover next 👇

[@morgandobbins6079]

your videos are very well put together, you deserve more subscribers!!!❤❤

[@thegsquared]

Once again, your content never fails to impress! Suggestion on Non-F1 content: How a V12 diesel Le Mans car (Audi R10 TDI) won the 24 hours of Le Mans.

[@Allstarhero8900]

Maybe make a video about group c racing

[@naptime43x]

barbie jeep racing, or maybe the Baja 500/1000. that is still pretty wild with spectators and what not.

[@pranijshrestha8774]

3

[@berke2336]

The fact that there weren't MORE spectators hit is honestly kinda impressive.

[@THERHINOFORZA4]

True the drivers were insane

[@Stettafire]

​@@THERHINOFORZA4Spectors too. Some of them were jumping out of the way. Like, WHY ARE YOU IN THE ROAD!!

[@Tkdriverx]

I guess that shows just how talented the drivers of this era were, being able to avoid them when they were that close

[@chrisccc22]

I would have to agree. Amazing actually.

[@mathewhosier9739]

The only ones that died were suicidal anyways, they kinda had it coming

[@phil4986]

"Don't want to get hit, don't stand on the track." "Where is the track?" "Anywhere you stand."

[@notyourusualsuspect6175]

The track is on the road, bro. That dark strip in front of you.

[@Mr_blut]

It’s a joke cill

[@edwarddevlin6034]

The cars were on the limit, the fans were just fuckin stupid for the most part

[@kaplislemesis4789]

the cone constant with humans. Guns dont kill people nor do cars, but say that to the stupids

[@muntTV]

​@@kaplislemesis4789 yeah seems a shame they stopped it. Plus there's so many of us anyway it doesn't really matter if we willingly put ourselves in danger and perish at least we got some fun.

[@bluebelle8823]

As I saw an F1 representative say about the 1994 season, "It's business. Nothing personal." Group B was definitely using the same mindset. It's always fantastic to see drivers using their conscience and saying "no I can't do that, I will not do that'.

[@TMcKeon408]

Group B aka: the "hold my beer" of motorsports.

[@brianwong7285]

To quote the series' last driver's champion, Juha Kankkunen: WRC is for boys, Group B was for men.

[@makimaxx2311]

What a comment😂😂😂

[@grunchlk]

The hold-my-beer-guys usually don't kill anyone but themselves.

[@jcngokai-76]

Outside of Isle of Man TT race, Group B is the most dangerous racing series of all time, no rules on materials that constructs a car, no safety barriers for both cars and fans, anything goes … and then Fonseca Island event happened in 1986 (same year that Space Shuttle Challenger, Chernobyl, and my own maternal grandmother were lost)

[@patrickgriffitt6551]

No fans with brains. No crowd control.

[@jordantruong305]

The craziest part is that the drivers WANTED more rules for safety when normally rules ruin everything

[@williamford9564]

22:07: There is evidence that Toivonen was physically and mentally exhausted, both by the length of that particular rally as he says in a few seconds, plus from the grind of the entire season. But he felt he couldn't ask for time off during the season as the team probably would not allow it. At the crash scene, there are conflicting accounts as to whether there were tire marks on the road at the corner where the car went off, indicating a skid, or no tire marks. If it is the latter then it is possible he blacked out from sheer exhaustion and lack of sleep and the car totally missed the corner.

[@mrkipling2201]

He was also suffering from the flu, or getting over the flu, which was also a factor in the crash apparently. I believe that. A prime Toivonen wouldn’t have crashed, I don’t think. Or an unimpaired Toivonen.

[@therickman1990]

It's a chicken and egg story really. Group B was so popular it attracted insane amounts of people, and that same popularity eventually killed it.

[@Mighty.Titan1]

16:03 This is Sierra Cosworth of Marian Bublewicz (R.I.P). The footage is from February 1993!

[@Dexter037S4]

WRC didn't even come close to losing popularity following 86', it continued to Grow. Spectators were regularly an issue until Loeb won 9 straight titles.

[@Quickdraw_Punslinger]

World's most dangerous motorsport? Who should tell him about road racing and the Isle of Man TT races? Great video though, can't wait to see more.

[@DailyFuelUp]

Guess I’ll have to make another one then 👀

[@Stettafire]

Isle of Mann TT series is very dangerous, but nowhere near as bad.

[@Quickdraw_Punslinger]

@@Stettafire It can be discussed considering one is with cars and the other one are motorcycles. But as a TT marshal who's been a first responder at a major incident I can assure you road racing is a strong contender for the title.

[@darklord9581]

But how many pedestrians/by standers die in isle of the man? I know drivers have for sure, but have no knowledge of anyone spectators passing away.

[@Dr1ftLegend]

Isle of man TT isn't a motorsport but a race

[@superbanaan9]

whats crazy is it wasnt out the ordinairy to find bodyparts in the car after the race like servered fingers etc because air ducts cut them of people trying to touch cars going fast

[@ak-jxrdy-7]

Yep, I remember a story about fingers found on the windshield wipers.

[@christianellegaard7120]

Groups A, B, and C weren't just for Rallying. The system was made to attract more manufactures to all a FIA's sports car categories. The problems were primarily in Rally, however.

[@maciejgajoch1774]

At 16:01 Ford Sierra of Polish best driver Marian Bublewicz.Fatal accident at 1993 Dolnoslaski rally.After hit the tree,Marian was locked in cockpit for almost 1 hour.There was no equipment to cut the roll cage.I still remember this horror.Unfortunatelly Marian died in hospital after few hours.That was a real tragedy for Polish motorsport.We all loved him.

[@Arandomcat7]

My grandad used to be a group b rally marshall

[@dukezFRL]

thats sick

[@EKk8819]

This is the only sport that was more dangerous for the audience then the professionals!

[@cschnauz]

If you’re interested in group b Watch the documentary Riding balls of fire

[@obnoxiousnesli]

my best friend is into f1 and she got me invested aswell but i always felt it was "too sterile" for me until I found out about rallye and it's the perfect amount of insanity and chaos that I love 😭

[@SovietAlexMent]

I remember my dad telling me he met Walter rolh in 1983 acropolis if I remember correctly, pretty cool, I love group b especially the Audi Quattro s1 e2

[@juanitooctavio9023]

Any motorsport would be dangerous when the spectators are standing ON the track! I remember those rallies. Insane drivers and suicidal spectators.

[@Lightmaker5]

They're self to blame. Everyone knows that in rally you fight with unpredictable roads. No rally game I remember could simulate this. Suspension can break off, lose your wheels, engine damage that blocks the main wheels etc. And you stand infront of the danger? Self to blame.

[@bryanpetersen1334]

In today’s world of hyper safety, walking helmets, and less lethal fly swatters, watching these tuned up, airborne cars racing on dirt and snow, and inches from spectators seems refreshing somehow.

[@aspalovin]

The on track fans were the parents and grand parents of tik tokers. You can tell. It's a shame Group B was ruined by morons on the tracks.. Didn't help for the drivers that the cars were rockets made of tin foil though.. Imagine G.B coming back with today's safety equipment and keeping the slime off the racing lines? It would be awesome. Watching those cars perform like that on those surfaces was incredible.. Leave it to the unwashed masses to wreck it.. Group B.onehead

[@sluglow6357]

Always funny watching nerds who sit in their room all day talk about the world is too soft today lol

[@tessabakker662]

@@aspalovin Dude, rallying isn't dead, not by a LONG shot. The FIA still organizes dozens of rallies internationally every year, and with more modern safety equipment and emergency resources being more readily available it's much easier to responsibly enjoy the car-nage. There are now drones in the air that can follow the competitors and catch the action in HD, and for the absolute thrillseekers it's STILL possible to get scary close to the somehow even faster cars of today.

[@Tripsaas01]

Over 4 hours of this kind of driving per day is crazy stupid. Great job FIA 👍

[@someoneyouknow0n0]

Gotta love the videos, absolutely well done man!❤

[@DailyFuelUp]

Appreciate it mate ❤️

[@mikecochrane803]

The difference between Walter and other drivers was that he only hit the camera. The last world champion in a 2WD car, and THE star of Group B!

[@thegsquared]

Amazing content DailyFuelUp! Now, Imagine what Group B would be like if they still existed? They would be like crazy turbo hybrid monsters with 1500hp+ with today’s technology.

[@iZ3C0LD7]

Koenigsegg is the first thing that comes up my mind when you mentioned "crazy turbo hybrid monsters with 1500hp+ with today’s technology" fr

[@thegsquared]

@@iZ3C0LD7 That’s road car technology that Koenigsegg developed. Not rally racing. Koenigsegg never got into racing (they weren’t allowed to thanks to GT1 homologation changes)

[@martinpattison1567]

Crowd control in some events was non-existent, there were not enough Marshalls and it wasn't easy to find more trained and qualified marshalls. When the Course Car drove through the stages and saw the excessive number of spectators the Cleark of the course should have cancelled the stage. This could even mean cancelling the whole event. Group B rallying was spectacular to watch, but, the cars themselves were too fast for a driver to react to what the car was doing. I marshalled the RAC Rally for 20 years (1979-2000) sometimes, I was the only marshal on a corner at 03,00am halfway up a mountain in freezing cold 🥶weather. We had no spectators to worry about. The half bottle of anti-freeze in my pocket for the occasional sip helped. 20 years for a Plastic or Metal badge Martin. (Thailand) 🥵

[@SA4LIFE]

I swear you're the best motorsport channel on youtube mate.

[@DailyFuelUp]

Appreciate it mate❤️

[@ColvinBlog]

I seen this whole story ages ago on another channel, but I love the whole group b thing, this video was pretty emotional for me, more so then the first video I seen on this, nice job, always love inspirational stuff such as this, shame the crowds and lack of some safety rules ruined everything

[@kamikazeclaymore]

These home videos are what I was downloading as viral videos during the limewire/kazaa days. Lol Epic racing.

[@lexkellytelly1334]

It’s crazy that people are running across the track

[@ReneMadsen-ky3bh]

Keep up your amazing videos and yes group b was the most dangerous motorsport of all time no rules no crowd control and im impressed more deaths didnt happen

[@FlashoftheBlades]

Group B and its planned successor, Group S, would probably have been more at home in rallycross. I know that some Group B cars did compete in rallycross after they were banned from the WRC, but making them official rallycross categories would’ve been a better place for them. With rallycross being held on closed circuits that aren’t always as fast as a rally stage, and with the spectators being kept further back from the racing surface, it certainly would’ve been a safer setting. Also, Group A and N were around during the time of Group B, having succeeded Groups 2 & 1, respectively. Those were the mass-produced categories that required a minimum build quantity of 5,000. Groups 3 & 4, the predecessor to Group B, had a lower minimum build quantity. 400 in the case of Group 4. While Lancia did win the 1983 Manufacturers Championship, their drivers didn’t contest every rally that season, clearing the way for Hannu Mikkola to win the Drivers Championship for Audi. Also, it wasn’t just Audi that withdrew from the WRC after Henri Toivonen’s fatal accident. Ford also pulled out in the aftermath.

[@superyamagucci]

I had one of those Audis but non turbo. Could follow a Hilux anywhere. Missing some ground clearance? Give it some pace. The grip with those Torsten diffs was honestly incredible. And the sound of the 5cyl was great. Wish I still had it.

[@deathsteyr]

There's just one rule: SURVIVE(optional)

[@Bryce-z9v]

Great Channel! A photographer friend of mine copped a flying rock that deleted both his testicles. Trying to cheer him up I suggested ' at least it didn't hit your camera'?

[@asdf9890]

I watched these races on TV as a kid back in the 80s. Even then I thought the spectators were absolutely nuts! It does look like a huge awesome party though 🎉🎉. Always wanted a rally type car, they just look cool.

[@TheOfficialOrbitz]

It always a good day when dfb uploads!

[@DailyFuelUp]

Appreciate it mate❤️

[@therealsyxx]

This video is hilarious and informative at the same time. Thank you

[@BlueSkyCrystals]

11:22 Jean Todt, the greatest team principal of all time. He turned Peugeot into a juggernaut in rallying and hill climbs, then turned Ferrari into a juggernaut in F1.

[@nickllewellin217]

Haha, my cousin is David Llewellin, A group B race in 1986!

[@mrkipling2201]

Group B was the only time I watched Rallying. It was amazing.

[@dukezFRL]

imagine if the mid engined quattro were approved, the sport wouldve gotten so much crazier.

[@Famous_Mist]

I was in that accident in Portugal, in Sintra, on top of a tree, the track is so short that you didn't have 1 metro to stand... Every year we use to talk about the possibility of a big accident

[@sugarpolecat4781]

I rememeber an interview from group B drivers and navigators and they were like: "we have to imagine the spectators are trees, otherwise it would be impossible to drive". Shit's crazy, but I loved Group B - the most insane drivers and cars.

Even hundreds years later people will talk about group B and how crazy it was 🙃

[@kurtisduke2685]

Something a lot of people may not know is that the Lancia 037 was the only 2 wheel drive car that beat the Audi Quarto.

[@updates2549]

More unique content.. Well done!

[@DailyFuelUp]

❤️

[@softyturtle2324]

Isn't it jusst ironic that i get an ad about racing midway through a video about one of the most dangerous racing competitions?

[@patrickbuick5459]

I used to assist with Rally. It was insane how many people would queue up where physics would take a vehicle with traction loss or otherwise out of control. More examples of people who cannot think even minimally rationally.

[@CaptainQuark9]

Ahhhhh, Group B and Group C... The 80s were a great era for great motorsport!

[@valerieleduc386]

Just like the Baja 1000 races.. it's still like this down there till this day..

[@DankKrank]

Rally is like the bare knuckle boxing in the Motorsport world

[@eS._Te]

one of the best videos on this topic and youtube !

[@DailyFuelUp]

I really put a lot of time and effort into making this video, nothing makes me happier than reading comments like this❤️

[@gkcmgk]

All these problems occurred because the regulations were simply inadequate. For example, the fuel tank of the Peugeot 205 was positioned under the driver for better road holding and weight balance distribution. Yes, you read that right, the driver was sitting on the fuel tank. Although the power of the vehicles was shown as 600 hp, it was more than 800 hp, pushing the limits of 1000 hp. And in the 20-minute course, the driver was really using all his power to cope with this beast. Their health was wearing out quite a bit due to excessive water loss. Since the stages were old-style roads with very little protection, when the vehicles went off the road very quickly, unfortunately the only thing that could stop the vehicle was the body of the vehicle. The reason why so many drivers died was that old technology was weak in terms of safety. Even if the vehicle did not kill the driver in a crash, the fire would kill those inside. Fuel tanks were not that advanced and durable. Now there are systems that cut off fuel immediately in a crash. Even the helmets that drivers wore were like bicycle helmets. The only fire protection they had was the masks on their faces, which was enough to save a minute or two. In other words, Group B was actually a period when expert drivers were far ahead of the times and technology, but the vehicles and safety elements destroyed the drivers and the spectators.It was the golden age when real races were held where Group B drivers showed their talent and endurance. If they gave the current cars to the drivers who raced in those years, they would probably complete the course with one hand while sipping their beers.The audience was as crazy as the drivers. They would enter the track and reach out their hands to touch the vehicles passing by at 200 km/h. Everyone was shouting with adrenaline and as the vehicles passed they would get so close to see the driver that sometimes the drivers had to slow down. In short, these wonderful races, which were a mixture of madness and entertainment, unfortunately ended this golden era when it was shining the most due to the lack of rules, inadequate regulations, the vehicles being too powerful and hard, and the uncontrollable greed of mankind. Very beautiful races unfortunately ended because people's sense of entertainment went too far and the deaths of the drivers increased.

[@rafox66]

I wouldn't say the sport killed the fans, I'd say those spectators killed themselves with their stupidity.

[@Monkey_D_Luffy56]

Everything is insane the cars, engineers, mechanics, pilot and co pilots, track/stages

[@markruth6420]

Group A was in operation at the same time as group B. I lived through this time and my boss at the time was British champion at the time

[@omni201]

If I had to go out, getting biffed by a car and sent to the Group B track in the sky? Wouldn’t be mad.

[@maurizza3499]

Group A wouldn't exist without Group B's fatalities

[@AsherTisor]

1:04 the scary part is more spectators died than the drivers in the 170mph cars going down dirt trails

[@GregorioStyreco]

my mind read " the motorsport that killed only fans..." and i was the luckiest person on earth for a brief moment.

[@iamthelaw69]

The fans weren't killed. They volunteered to be bowling pins.

[@garethwilkins6744]

Group B was the "Watch this!" of motorsport.

[@andsoitwas3046]

Wow.. just wow, they need to bring this category back.

[@johngeren1053]

The Toivonen/Cresto S4 landed tail first. You can tell from photos of the post crash remains when the burned out chassis is on the tow truck.

[@merhaba8]

The action of the spectators varied from country to country. In New Zealand we never had the crowd issues with Group B that countries like Portugal.

[@Ali-hi4xs]

I don't know if it's just me but i remember a course like this in Gran Turismo.

[@Ccidergoob]

and it was amazing. especially with the extra details

[@wendysunanmills7102]

Great video, I lived through this era and was one of those crazy camera fans, but I'd always be on the inside of the corner or ready behind a decent sized tree for protection. What a time to be alive and I saw McRae and the other greats of the time in the UK, from early 80's until 2003 when I emigrated to south-east Asia

[@kingcobra4814]

Great video 👍

[@frankplaitedhair5666]

Got So Into It They "JUST DIDN'T CARE". Great Crazy Time For Group B Car Racing.

[@fmphotooffice5513]

The rules on spectators were poison. There was plenty of audio/video technology for covering in detail, and designated safe areas for people at the events would have given the drivers, teams, sponsors more TIME to develop and push limits in a way Group B could have continued. The drivers who perished died doing what they were obviously passionate about. It was a dangerous way to race, but they knew that when they got behind the wheel. RIP all.

[@frainkchtain_44]

Great presentation method, good delivery and professional editing half an hour video duration, but preparation takes hours. A fun and wonderful video, keep showing content like this.

[@vincentc3475]

It was more like "suicides" than "kills".

[@critonix_online5977]

0:08 why are there people floating 💀

[@crxstal4552]

Group B is literally street racing without a street

[@marcoferrai]

Yes group b is special won't see it ever again ♥️

[@ElMundoDeHadesOK]

i dont like rallying.. but even i get mega excited when it comes to Group B

[@ThomasFerner]

"Who lets spectators stand next to cars going 150 MPH "......NO the question IS what INTELLIGENT person WOULD ?......So ban it ?.....But a month later the very same type of "safety conscious " people yell strap up for war boys ...don't worry its " safe " .....Makes no sense to me.

[@klaidys8782]

It just happened in lithuania when rally car just went into group of people’s. 1 dead 14 injured 😢

[@naptime43x]

this was the first time ive seen one of your videos and it was really good, might have to check out some f1 too.

[@JoJay-YT]

yo love the variety do more of those 🔥🔥

[@Beekmans_765]

Well, so we have some things in common, we love motorsport and we have the same favourite car

[@locuszin]

ooh new stuff, I love it, anything motorsport, DuelyFuelUp is my favourite channel.

[@bencegeiszler8777]

A driver just died due to lack of safety! FIA response: "Unlucky"

[@amalekedomite]

Everyone who has ever lived has died of lack of safety. Food for thought.

[@cyberalc]

Just came across your channel its dope af. Why blur out the crashes.

[@djbros_dede300]

KZbin has overly strict guidlines

[@danielpaulson8838]

This really fits under several umbrella's including Darwin awards.

[@CR71243]

If Group B weren’t banned, would Ferrari have produced more 288 GTOs?

[@dukezFRL]

perhaps, same with the porsche 959

[@Dexter037S4]

The 288 and 959 were not meant for Group B Rally, but Group B GT. Privateers only took them rallying.

[@senormojo]

To be honest, it’s the fans that pretty much kill themselves. As tragic as it is.

[@phrtao]

I remember going to see a rally during this era in Wales. We stood up on a hill but I could see the crowds lining the road and I was so sacred for them being so close to the cars. Not an enjoyable event to be at in my opinion.

[@JackBlack-ii1ip]

Took the car into my local repair shop with frontal damage. Insurance? Nah, cash, flashing wad of folding stuff. Ready Thursday. How did it happen? Spectators, no consideration. And we all had a good laugh. Sociopath? You'd better believe it.

[@rudetoy8264]

Stupid is as stupid does - Forrest Gump Movie Quote

[@VampyrMygg]

Little nitpick from me in a genuinely good video! I loved it, just found one bit a little funny. :P "With names like Audi," *shows Audi Quattro.* "Opel," *shows Opel Manta.* "Renault," *Shows Renault 5.* "and Citroen." *shows Ford Escort MK2* One is not like the others here. :P

[@gonpala]

It seems stupid and counterintuitive to banned 4DW in rally. Like, idk, having 4x2m cars trying to race in Monaco.

[@BigSimpin420]

Someday soon computers will be racing cars. That’s gonna be nuts!

[@gleglatin]

didn't watch, but KILLED FANS BY A MOTORSPORT IS DEEP

[@The-od1-out]

The drivers in the end had to just agree with themselves that the people where just like trees part of the track it was crazy but everyone loved it