1989 Lombard RAC Rally: The withdrawal of the works Lancia team shortly before the 1989 Lombard RAC Rally left the way open for Japanese manufacturers to dominate the event, with Toyota and Mitsubishi each making a major effort to take victory.
As it was, the event provided two surprises, with a tremendous victory going to Pentti Arikkala in his Mitsubishi Galant after a tremendous struggle with the entire works Toyota team.