In 1980 the World Championship for Drivers had taken off and it was home grown talent that contested for a win on the Castrol whilst the International stars competed elsewhere. However there was one super star; the winner of the first World Driver's title, Bjorn Waldegaard, was running number one.

Waldegaard's Toyota tried various set-ups during the day and even tested both Pirellis and Dunlops. Well no tyre contracts there then!

There were several strong Championships running on the Castrol to attract the entries, not least the Castrol/Autosport National Championship with its well supported Group 1 category. The Sunbeam Ti Challenge was there and had turned out to be a breeding ground for some future quick national drivers.

This was the year that a certain Mr Phil Collins came to be noticed at the award ceremony, seeded at 28 and finishing fourth.

This was to be the last year of Castrol's involvment with the rally and the search had started for a new sponsor.