SOVIET LADA RALLY QUICK GUIDE
The rally in the Soviet Union has arisen in the 50’s. During that time there were yet no particular technical requirements for vehicles. Almost all the crews competed on very standard, almost not tuned cars, but the hands of our automotive engineers grew whence it is necessary.
Also in the former USSR popular were races on paved and unpaved desert tracks, for participation it was enough to have a modified road car. The competition was quite spectacular, as the drivers competed directly with each others, not against the time. Cars were getting in touch with each others frequently and the surface irregularities, pits, descents and ascents added some interest. The autocross was held on regular cars and buggies — single vehicles with exposed wheels and a frame designed specifically for such races.
The appearance of VAZ 2101 in 1971 opened a new era of Soviet Motorsport. These nimble cars have produced a lot of "hype" in a ring auto racing, going out victorious from a confrontation with the "Moskvich", which was later completely replaced by VAZ on the ring.
What was a ring car VAZ 2101 (21011)? Everyone understands that building a real sport car requires a significant amount of special, non-standard units and spare parts, but where to get them in the condition of total deficit? Everybody strived to be "cool as could" — Sovtransavto illegally brought "Shrick” camshafts from Germany, factory VAZ drivers, using powerful technological base, supplied their colleagues with specially manufactured cylinder heads, reinforced valve lifters which could work with tougher valve springs. Many people were manufacturing parts for their cars themselves – muscovite Alexander Smyslov was producing composite camshafts and wide lightweight wheels made of magnesium alloy.
Racing Ladas were usually built from a serial car. Noise insulation mastic was scrapped away, all the entire upholstery was removed, even the wiring was simplified. VAZ pilots had more opportunities – their cars were built with the "bare" body" — the body which is not covered with anticorrosive floors, some body parts were stamped from thinner metal sheets, some of the internal amplifiers of the body were not installed. As a result, the weight of the racing "Kopeyka" was around 800-850 kg.
The engine was also thoroughly "shook up". Precious camshaft with wide phases was installed, cylinder head was deeply upgraded, power was supplied by horizontal twin carburettors "Weber" with four-throttle intake, the straight exhaust system was brought out under the front door. As a result of all modifications a liter of volume could make about 100 HP. 1300 engine could give up to 130-135 HP, 1500 – 145-150 HP and 1600 – 160 HP.
