When I was much younger I was a big fan of rallying (still am) and would be a regular spectator or marshal on the Mintex, Lombard and the RAC. There were some iconic cars including Porsches, Escorts and of course the spectacular Group B cars. But one of the most consistently successful cars was the Skoda often in the hands of John Haugland.
In the RAC John Haugland won his class three times in a row (1975 to 1977). In 1975, he triumphed with ŠKODA 130 S and in 1976 and 1977 he scored other two victories with legendary ŠKODA 130 RS. That car also won its class in 1978 thanks to Czech crew Svatopluk Kvaizar/Jiří Kotek.
Besides the trophies John Haugland won in the 1970s, he earned few more over the following decade. He won his class with different cars like ŠKODA 120 LS (1981), ŠKODA 130 LR (1985) and ŠKODA 130 L (1988). He has 16 starts and 6 class wins on RAC Rally on his belt.
The Škoda 130 RS is one of the most iconic cars in the history of the Mladá Boleslav-based carmaker. In its day, it won numerous titles in both international rallying and circuit racing. Building on the strengths of its predecessors, the Škoda 180 RS and 200 RS, the Škoda 130 RS quickly became a formidable rival to established competitors thanks to its outstanding driving dynamics. Its many victories in prestigious events earned it a reputation as a powerhouse in Czechoslovak motorsport. To mark the 50th anniversary of its debut, three exemplars of the Škoda 130 RS are currently on display in the prototype and sports car depository at the Škoda Museum in Mladá Boleslav, where they will remain until 27 April.
A star on the international rally and circuit racing scene
Just a month after its public debut in April 1975, the newly developed Škoda 130 RS coupé – designated Type 735 – achieved an impressive result in its first competitive appearance. In the European Touring Car Championship race in Brno, two Škoda 130 RS cars finished third and fourth in the under-2000 cm³ class. This initial achievement set the stage for a highly successful motorsport career for the 130 RS. It won trophies both within the Eastern Bloc and on the international stage, where it faced tough competition from leading Western brands.
Among its triumphs, the Škoda 130 RS secured a class victory at the legendary Monte Carlo Rally in 1977, finishing 12th overall. Other standout performances include eighth place in the overall rankings at the Acropolis Rally in 1979. In 1981, it repeated this remarkable success, once again demonstrating its ability to outperform significantly more powerful rivals.
The Škoda 130 RS also made its mark on the circuit racing scene, claiming the overall title in the 1981 European Touring Car Championship – its greatest success on the track – after consistently finishing among the top three in previous seasons.
The key to success: lightweight design and outstanding handling
The Škoda 130 RS was powered by a liquid-cooled, rear-mounted four-cylinder OHV engine with a displacement of 1.3 litres. Over time, its output increased from the original 113 hp to 142 hp in the circuit racing version. Thanks to the use of aluminium alloy panels and fibreglass components, the racing car weighed just 720 kg, enabling it to reach a top speed of 220 km/h.
However, the real strength of the Mladá Boleslav-built competition car lay in its handling and agility. Its well-balanced design inspired confidence in all driving conditions, allowing it to respond reliably under pressure. In its original factory specification, nearly 200 units of the Škoda 130 RS were produced, with dozens more built privately using factory-supplied components.