driver stig blomqvist won the 1976 belgian rally boucles de spa in a specially prepared 16-valve saab 99. he then won the swedish rally in 1977 in a b engine-powered 99 ems, and again in 1979 in a turbo 99. the 1979 victory marked the first time a turbocharged car had won the swedish rally. in 1980 saab withdrew from rally competition.