Carlos drove his first rally in 1980, but after that he concentrated in racing with very goos success. Carlos tells, that in those days there were no famous spanish circuit drivers and just few good racing tracks. Carlos started in Renault 5 Turbo Cup and won the championship in his first year. Renault Turbo Cup on is a bit underestimated, but in France a former F1 star Jean Alesi was drivning in Franceīs Renault Turbo 5 Cup, so the high level was there. Carlos started to think about drivng outside Spain to develop his career. He tells that he had gathered about 90% of budget to drive in Englands Formula Ford. Then he recieved a phone call. It was from General Motorsilta. They asked if carlos wanted to drive Catalonyan rally with Group B Opel Manta 400. Carlos said yes and finished in second place in 1984 Catalonyan rally. From this Carlos concentrated in rallying. As told his rallying career had started even before. His first rallycar was Seat Panda in 1981-1982. 1981 Sainz won first ralies of seat Panda National Cup. During 1982 he moved to Renault Turbo 5 Cup, but drove four rallies in Spain with Seat Panda. In 1983 Carlos won the Reanault Cup and some Spanish rallyes. In 1984 Carloks became the official Renault driver and continued with success. In 1987 he became THE CHAMPION OF SPANISH RALLY DRIVERS. In 1987 Carlos made his debut in WRC with two-wheel drive Ford Sierra Cosworht. He drove fastest time on his careerīs first stage of a wrc rally. Thye were driving in Portugal. Unfortunately Carlos retired afterwards due a mecanical problem. In Corcica Carlos was seventh adn in RAC he was eight. In 1988 Sainz renewded his SPANISH RALLY DRIVERS CHAMPION title and drove wrc rallyes with great success: in Corcica fifth, In Finland sixth, in San Remo fifth and in RAC seventh. After this preformance teambosses were assuerd that Carlos had a great talent. In 1989 he was drivng as a part-time driver for Toyota. In next year Carlos won his first WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP in his first full season. And the rest is history of rallying.
Carlos (number one) in Renault Cup in 1983
Carlos with Renault Maxi Turbo in 1985
Carlos with Renault in 1985
1985, Renault
Carlos and Renault in 1986
Ford Sierra 1987
Carlos in Ford Sierra, RAC Rally 1988