Quote Originally Posted by focus206 View Post
Indeed, and who knows something about the 1995 season, knows that McRae was helped by the short season and by Sainz having to miss 1 of the 8 rounds. McRae's fame largely overshwadowed this in later years, but it's not that 1995 was such an odd season: in 1994 there were 10 rounds, in 1996 9 rounds. And in 1993, top drivers weren't yet competing for the full calendar, so 1st place Kankkunen ran 10 rounds, 2nd place Delecour 9 rounds. Not a big difference for that era.
In 1996 the drivers could pick 7 best from the 9 rounds. In 1994 8 best from 10. In 1993 and before the calendar had typically 12-13 rounds but only the best 7-8 was counted. Biasion won his titles in 1988 and 1989 with 7 and 6 starts respectively. In 1987 all of the three Lancia drivers were given equally 7 starts.

It was very untypical to do full seasons before 1995. The closest one I know is Alen in 1986, all rallies except Ivory Coast.