Rally History Archive

The 1960 Monte Carlo Rally opened the European season with snowy conditions, technical tarmac, and a dominant 1-2-3 finish by Mercedes-Benz.

A classic Franco-German endurance rally, the 1960 Lyon–Charbonnières–Stuttgart–Solitude connected the cultural heartlands of Europe with a demanding mix of high-speed asphalt, alpine passes, and intricate navigation. The event drew a strong international field and became a cornerstone of early continental rally competition.

The 1960 Rallye Pneumant was East Germany’s premier motorsport event, weaving through the socialist state's rural heartlands and industrial corridors. It served as both a national spectacle and a symbol of Eastern Bloc engineering pride, featuring local marques and ironclad reliability over flair.

The 1960 Geneva Rally was a challenging event that tested the endurance of crews across Switzerland, featuring a mix of tarmac and gravel stages.

The 1960 Tulip Rally attracted international crews to the Netherlands for a precision-focused event blending tight tarmac and scenic countryside stages.

Held across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, the 1960 Safari Rally was one of the toughest motorsport events of the year, famousfor its brutal terrain and unpredictable African weather.

A challenging national-level event in the Polish rally calendar, the 1960 Rajd Dolnośląski carved its way through the rugged roads of Lower Silesia. With a focus on navigation and terrain variety, it highlighted the growing enthusiasm for motorsport in Eastern Europe and served as a proving ground for local talent.

The 1960 Tour de Belgique was Belgium’s crown jewel of endurance rallying, blending smooth tarmac, sudden fog, and relentless pace into a fast-paced trial of concentration and composure. As a tarmac-based event with a reputation for precision, it attracted some of Europe’s top drivers and manufacturers.

The 1960 Österreichische Alpenfahrt was a grueling showcase of alpine precision driving, as competitors faced high-altitude climbs, narrow passes, and the unpredictable wrath of the early summer Alps. The event, steeped in pre-war tradition, remained a vital stop in the European rally calendar.

Held in June on Greece’s rugged gravel roads and mountainous terrain, the Acropolis Rally was a brutal mid-year challenge forman and machine.

Run in early July, the Alpine Rally weaved through the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps, demanding both speed and precision onnarrow mountain passes.

The 1960 Liège–Rome–Liège Rally was a marathon event that tested crews on a grueling loop through Europe, known for its long distances and minimal service breaks.

Taking place in late June, the Polish Rally was a challenging event that tested crews on a mix of gravel and tarmac roads, showcasing the beauty of Poland’s countryside.

Held in early September, the Viking Rally was a test of speed and endurance across the Scandinavian countryside, featuring a mix of gravel and tarmac stages.

Taking place in late September, the Deutschland Rallye was a test of speed and precision on Germany’s winding roads, featuring a mix of tarmac and gravel stages.

Held in late August, Finland’s premier rally featured fast gravel tracks and massive jumps, earning it a reputation as aproving ground for rally legends.

Held on the mountainous island of Madeira, this challenging tarmac rally tested precision and nerve on narrow cliffside roads, helping establish Portugal’s rallying tradition ahead of its WRC debut years later.

Held in November, the RAC Rally was Britain’s top rally event, challenging drivers with wet forestry roads and unpredictableweather.

The Monte Carlo Rally of 1961 was heavily influenced by icy conditions and featured new entries from British and Scandinavian teams.

This year's Safari Rally pushed drivers across punishing African terrain with unexpected rainstorms and grueling endurance challenges.

The 1961 Österreichische Alpenfahrt was a challenging mountain rally set in the rugged Austrian Alps, offering tight hairpins, steep climbs, and unpredictable weather that tested crews across four days of competition.

Held in April, the Tulip Rally continued to grow in prominence, attracting international teams to compete across the Netherlands' scenic roads.

Greece’s Acropolis Rally returned with rough gravel terrain and extreme temperatures, further solidifying its reputation for brutality.

The Swedish Rally, held on snow and ice around Karlstad, tested studded-tyre grip and precision over fast forest tracks.

This Alpine challenge sent competitors through narrow switchbacks and high-altitude roads, demanding focus and consistency.

The Polish Rally combined asphalt and gravel mountain roads around Zakopane, rewarding crews who mastered mixed-surface endurance in the Tatra foothills.

Finland’s 1000 Lakes Rally thrilled fans with its fast gravel routes, huge jumps, and growing Scandinavian dominance.

A marathon endurance rally covering thousands of kilometers across Europe, infamous for its punishing pace and minimal rest stops.

The Viking Rally’s high-speed forest stages around Oslo challenged crews with loose gravel corridors and blind crests in southeastern Norway.

The Deutschland Rallye’s mixed asphalt and forest gravel stages through the Black Forest demanded versatility and precise pacenotes.

The RAC Rally featured stages across rugged British forests and welcomed a growing number of international competitors.

A challenging winter rally based in northern France, the 1962 Routes du Nord blended icy asphalt roads, heavy fog, and rural speed tests. It was an early-season round of the ERC that rewarded calculated aggression and mechanical durability in harsh conditions.

One of the oldest rallies in France, the 1962 Rallye Lyon–Charbonnières was known for its challenging tarmac stages through the Beaujolais hills and Alpine foothills. As an early round of the European Rally Championship, it featured narrow mountain roads, fast transitions, and high-speed technical sections.

One of Italy’s most prestigious tarmac and snow-based rallies, the 1962 Rallye Sestriere blended high-altitude Alpine driving with early-season unpredictability. Known for its cold-weather conditions and iconic ski-resort setting, it attracted top European crews looking to prove car control and consistency.

The 1962 Coupes des Alpes Maritimes — also known as the Monte Rosa Rally — bridged Italy and Switzerland with a high-altitude mix of narrow Alpine roads, snowmelt runoff, and fast valley descents. Though smaller in profile than the Coupe des Alpes, this event served as a critical regional rally in the Southern Alps corridor.

The 1962 Scottish Rally offered a rugged mid-season challenge through the Highlands and Borders of Scotland. Combining fast forestry stages, water crossings, and unpredictable weather, it was a favorite among UK-based crews and a crucial proving ground for emerging rally talent.

The 1962 Österreichische Alpenfahrt was one of Europe’s oldest and most demanding rallies, tracing its roots back to the early 20th century. Known for its brutal gravel mountain passes and long-distance regularity stages, the Austrian Alpine Rally tested every aspect of a rally team’s endurance and coordination.

A lesser-known but technically challenging Alpine event, the 1962 Rallye des Alpes Françaises tested driver precision and endurance on narrow, high-altitude French roads. Part of the European Rally Championship, it was a proving ground for tarmac and mountain specialists.

The 1962 Welsh Rally was a rugged national event known for its dense forest stages and tight mountain routes. Set in the Cambrian and Brecon Beacons ranges, the rally served as a critical proving ground for British rally talent and a precursor to the gravel format that would later define the WRC era.

The 1962 Coupe des Dames was one of Europe’s few all-female rally competitions, drawing top women drivers from across the continent. Based in France, the event emphasized technical tarmac driving and timekeeping discipline over high-speed aggression.

Held in communist Romania, the 1962 Rallye du Danube was one of the most rugged and politically symbolic rounds of the European Rally Championship. With its demanding gravel stages, mountainous terrain, and strict timekeeping, it tested both man and machine behind the Iron Curtain.

The 1962 Monte Carlo Rally highlighted the continued rise of British cars, with challenging snow-covered passes across the Alps.

The 1962 Safari Rally spanned thousands of brutal kilometers across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania—featuring deep mud, river crossings, and unpredictable African weather.

A staple of the European rally scene, the Tulip Rally challenged drivers with complex navigation and narrow roads across the Netherlands.

Greece’s mountainous terrain and punishing roads tested drivers' endurance in this growingly popular event.

Held across winding high-altitude roads through the Alps, the 1962 Alpine Rally pushed both drivers and machines to their limits.

The Swedish Rally tested crews on snow and ice forest stages around Karlstad, where studded tyres and precision car control were paramount.

The Polish Rally combined asphalt and gravel mountain passes around Kraków and the Tatra foothills, rewarding crews who mastered mixed-surface endurance.

Scandinavian roads and airborne gravel jumps made Finland’s 1000 Lakes Rally one of the most thrilling events of the season.

One of the most demanding rallies in the world, covering over 5,000 km non-stop across Europe with virtually no breaks for sleep.

The Deutschland Rallye combined tarmac and gravel stages through the Black Forest near Baden-Baden, demanding versatility from both drivers and machines.

Held on the mountainous roads around Geneva and Salève, this event blended high-speed hill climbs with technical asphalt special stages.

The RAC Rally in 1962 brought together factory teams and independents on slippery gravel routes through British forests.

Severe snowstorms in 1963 made the Monte Carlo Rally one of the toughest editions in history, rewarding precision driving.

Held in the Italian Alps, the 1963 Rallye Sestriere featured a demanding mix of snow, gravel, and tarmac stages. Italian drivers dominated the field in this winter-season challenge.

Held in the harsh winter conditions of northern France, the 1963 Routes du Nord tested crews across icy tarmac and rural lanes in a classic early-season challenge.

Known for its brutal terrain and unpredictable rain, the 1963 Safari Rally was a punishing test of driver and vehicle endurance through Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Held deep in the Austrian Alps, the 1963 Alpenfahrt was a test of high-altitude driving precision, demanding careful pacing through technical terrain, rock-strewn passes, and rapidly shifting weather.

A unique Franco-German collaboration, this rally linked Lyon, Charbonnières-les-Bains, and Stuttgart’s famed Solitude Ring, blending French winding roads with Germany’s fast tarmac sections.

The Tulip Rally continued to gain prestige, drawing top drivers from across Europe to tackle the Netherlands' complex route network.

The 1963 Acropolis Rally pushed competitors through some of the harshest gravel stages in Europe under intense heat.

The Pneumant Rally was the cornerstone of rallying in East Germany, offering a demanding regularity format and tight, forested stages in the GDR's Saxony and Thuringia regions.

A classic winter event on snow-and-ice forest roads around Karlstad, demanding studded-tyre strategy and pinpoint car control.

Twisting Alpine roads and high-altitude climbs made the 1963 Alpine Rally a precision event through France, Switzerland, and Italy.

A mixed-surface marathon through the Tatra Mountains around Zakopane, rewarding crews who balanced speed and reliability.

Finland’s 1000 Lakes Rally thrilled spectators with airborne gravel stages, high speeds, and fearless Scandinavian driving talent.

Still considered the ultimate test of driver stamina and mechanical durability, the 1963 Liège Rally remained legendary.

Held across the Romanian Carpathians and Danube basin, the 1963 Rallye du Danube stood out in the ERC calendar for its technical tarmac and gravel stages, as well as its strategic importance to Eastern Bloc competitors.

An Italian ERC round through Sardinia’s tight mountain roads, featuring fast asphalt stages and minimal service.

A technical asphalt rally in the foothills of the Alps around Geneva, featuring hill-climb tests on Mont Salève.

Expanded forestry stages and worsening weather made the 1963 RAC Rally a major endurance challenge for drivers and mechanics alike.

Paddy Hopkirk secured a historic victory for the Mini Cooper S at the Monte Carlo Rally, cementing the car's rally legend status.

Italy’s spring rally combined coastal speed with Alpine challenges, demanding precision and endurance from competitors around Sanremo.

Portugal’s ACP-run spring rally combined coastal roads with inland hills, testing versatility and stamina.

Once again drawing strong European fields, the 1964 Tulip Rally continued to reward precise navigation and steady pacing.

The Acropolis Rally's rugged Greek landscapes punished cars and drivers alike in one of the season’s toughest events.

Austria’s premier Alpine rally challenged crews with high-altitude passes and unpredictable mountain weather across the Alps.

Sweden’s summer rally under near-constant daylight demanded relentless pace and precision across fast forest roads.

Held in East Germany’s forested regions, the 1964 Pneumant Rally was a politically supervised regularity rally known for its brutal time precision, narrow rural stages, and mechanical attrition.

This French classic kicked off the national rally season with scenic yet technical stages around Lyon, featuring a mix of fast rural tarmac and urban transitions into Charbonnières-les-Bains.

Held in northeastern France, the 1964 Lorraine Rally offered forest and vineyard stages with a mix of technical tarmac and tricky elevation changes across the Vosges region.

Spanning three countries, this international rally covered historic routes across Germany, Austria, and Hungary, offering crews a mix of urban navigation, long-distance stages, and cultural diplomacy.

France’s Alpine Rally pushed crews through high mountain passes and narrow forest roads, demanding power and precision at altitude.

Poland’s national rally blended high-speed forest tracks with urban tests, challenging reliability and precision across rural terrain.

Massive jumps and rapid gravel straights in Finland challenged drivers in one of the year’s fastest and most technical rallies.

Switzerland’s autumn rally combined Alpine foothills with tight tarmac tests around Geneva, demanding balance and speed.

Expanding its reputation, the RAC Rally in 1964 featured longer special stages through dense and muddy British forests.

Another controversial Monte Carlo Rally where unexpected weather shifts challenged even the most prepared teams.

Italy’s spring rally around Sanremo blended fast coastal tarmac with winding Alpine foothills, demanding both precision and endurance.

The 1965 Pneumant Rally once again challenged East German and regional crews with a strict regularity format, tight timekeeping, and politically overseen checkpoints across Saxony and Thuringia.

A French springtime classic, the 1965 Rallye Lyon–Charbonnières featured tarmac mountain roads, hill climbs, and a mix of urban and rural segments through the Rhône-Alpes region.

Held in France’s Vosges region, the 1965 Rallye de Lorraine offered dense woods, unpredictable elevation, and narrow asphalt lanes with a punishing rally route wrapped in natural beauty.

One of the toughest rallies in Europe, the 1965 Alpenfahrt sent crews into the heart of the Austrian Alps, delivering narrow high-altitude roads, snowmelt patches, and relentless elevation swings.

Sweden’s first winter rally under snow and ice challenged crews with long stages and near-constant daylight transitions in early spring.

Spain’s spring asphalt rally covered historic towns and mountain passes before finishing with acceleration and braking tests near Madrid.

As rallying became increasingly professional, the Tulip Rally drew fierce competition from major manufacturers and privateers

The Acropolis Rally continued to destroy cars and reward only the toughest teams as the summer heat scorched the Greekmountains.

Switzerland’s autumn tarmac rally combined Alpine foothills with precision city tests around Geneva, demanding balance and speed under variable grip conditions.

Czechoslovakia’s national rally featured fast asphalt forest tracks and a major special test around Prague, challenging power and precision over long distances.

Snow melt, rockslides, and punishing altitudes made the 1965 Alpine Rally a dramatic test of car control through Europe'smountain passes.

Poland’s national rally blended high-speed forest tracks with urban tests around Warsaw, testing endurance and precision on mixed gravel and tarmac stages.

Finland’s iconic event showcased fearless driving over blind crests and through pine forests, helping to define rallying'sairborne era.

This transnational rally wove through southern Germany, Austria, and Hungary, blending Alpine passes with Danube plains and culminating in Budapest’s urban circuits.

Improved special stages and a growing field made the 1965 RAC Rally one of the most competitive editions so far.

The 1966 Monte Carlo Rally became infamous after several top finishers, including Mini Cooper S drivers, were controversiallydisqualified on technicalities.

Sweden’s classic winter rally under snow and ice demanded studded-tyre precision and unwavering pace across forest tracks and frozen lakes.

Austria’s high-altitude classic returned in 1966 with a route through the Alps that challenged drivers with elevation, erratic weather, and narrow mountain tarmac requiring total focus.

The 1966 edition of Lyon–Charbonnières blended French elegance with timing intensity across tarmac roads and wine-region lanes surrounding Lyon and Charbonnières-les-Bains.

Still one of the most disciplined and grueling regularity rallies, the 1966 Pneumant Rally pushed East German drivers through forested stages, timing traps, and relentless checkpoint controls.

France’s eastern forest rally returned with a vengeance in 1966, unleashing damp, winding roads across Vosges that required total composure and traction discipline.

Still bridging Cold War borders, the 1966 M–W–B Rally crossed three nations with an itinerary packed with time trials, liaison endurance, and border inspection delays.

Italy’s early spring rally blended Ligurian coastal roads with Alpine foothill climbs, demanding both speed on tarmac and care over gravel passes.

More powerful factory cars began dominating the Tulip Rally, marking the shift toward professional factory teams in rallying.

Tough Greek terrain and brutal summer heat made the Acropolis Rally a survival contest once again in 1966.

Switzerland’s gravel-and-tarmac autumn rally combined fast open passes with tight precision loops around Geneva, demanding both power and poise.

Czechoslovakia’s national rally wove through Prague’s forests and city streets, challenging crews with high-speed asphalt stages and a major urban special test.

Fog, elevation, and endless hairpins defined the Alpine Rally, which continued to reward precision and endurance onmountainous terrain.

The RAC Rally continued growing internationally, becoming one of the most prestigious rally events outside mainland Europe.

Rauno Aaltonen claimed victory for Mini in a redemption drive after the controversial 1966 disqualification, solidifying Mini's rally legacy.

Italy’s scenic yet punishing Riviera rally returned with tight mountain tarmac, coastal elevation shifts, and high attrition due to unpredictable spring weather.

Held on icy roads and snowy forests in central Sweden, the 1967 KAK Rallyt was a frozen gauntlet that favored Scandinavian driving style and tire management.

Poland’s national rally mixed urban testing zones with forest road sections, challenging drivers with gravel transitions, long stints, and strict controls near Warsaw and the Tatra foothills.

Switzerland’s premier rally continued its mix of high-speed Alpine stages and technical asphalt challenges, demanding sharp car control and accurate pacing.

Rallye Vltava delivered speed and precision on Czechoslovakia’s fast forest roads and narrow paved stages, with a strong showing from Skoda and Eastern Bloc competitors.

Returning as a French classic, the 1967 Lyon–Charbonnières tested crews with rolling hills, wet asphalt, and unforgiving switchbacks through the Beaujolais region.

Rallye de Lorraine continued its tradition of slick asphalt, forest-lined roads, and tight regional stages demanding perfect braking and corner exit discipline.

Austria’s legendary mountain rally returned with snow-dusted roads, brutal climbs, and a demanding course through the heart of the Eastern Alps.

This transnational endurance rally linked Germany, Austria, and Hungary in a multi-day test of mechanical durability, roadbook navigation, and border checkpoint patience.

East Germany’s precision-focused rally demanded mechanical endurance and exact navigation through flat rural roads and tight checkpoint structures.

Continued innovation in navigation technology and growing manufacturer investment made the 1967 Tulip Rally a highly technical event.

Dust clouds, wildlife crossings, and mechanical mayhem defined the 1967 Safari Rally, where only the toughest teams could finish.

Through heat-scorched deserts and mountainous tracks, the Moroccan rally offered one of the year’s most punishing challenges.

The brutal heat and mountainous stages continued to make the Acropolis Rally one of the most grueling tests on the calendar.

With its fast descents and snowy peaks, the 1967 Alpine Rally challenged crews with altitude, endurance, and timing precision.

The 1000 Lakes Rally once again showcased Finland’s rapid gravel roads and fearless local drivers dominating their home event.

Portugal’s dusty mountain trails and rugged scenery made it a rising star among European rally events.

Torrential rain turned the 1967 RAC Rally into a slippery, treacherous challenge through the forests of Britain.

Weather disruptions and ice made the 1968 Monte Carlo Rally unpredictable, but Alpine-Renault emerged victorious, beginning a French rally dynasty.

Dutch weather played a major factor at the 1968 Tulip Rally, with rain-soaked stages challenging even the best navigators and drivers.

The 8th edition of the Rallye dei Fiori, held in Sanremo, Italy, featured challenging coastal and mountainous routes. Pauli Toivonen secured victory driving a Porsche 911.

The 19th KAK Rallyt, held in Sweden, was characterized by snowy and icy conditions. Björn Waldegård clinched the win driving a Porsche 911 T.

The 36th Rallye International de Genève featured challenging alpine routes. Pauli Toivonen secured his second major win of the year driving a Porsche 911 T.

The 28th edition of Rally Poland featured a mix of gravel and tarmac stages. Krzysztof Komornicki achieved a notable victory driving a Renault R8 Gordini.

The 9th Rallye Vltava featured technical asphalt routes winding through the forests and rural roads of Czechoslovakia, with local talent dominating the leaderboard.

France’s iconic road rally returned with slick mountain stages and fast tarmac sweepers through the Beaujolais region. It remained a staple of the national championship.

Set in the Vosges forest region of northeastern France, the 1968 Rallye de Lorraine tested car control and visibility through fog-prone, narrow asphalt lanes.

One of Europe’s toughest endurance tests returned with high Alpine passes, unpredictable snowfall, and long-distance stage fatigue. Only the most durable teams survived.

This pan-European event featured city-to-city navigation from Bavaria to Hungary. Long liaisons and checkpoint precision defined this multinational challenge.

Known for its disciplined structure and precise checkpoint enforcement, the 1968 Pneumant Rally continued its role as East Germany’s top motorsport navigation challenge.

Mud-choked trails and treacherous water crossings marked the 1968 Safari Rally, where finishers were few and triumph was survival.

Tough desert conditions and long navigation stretches made the 1968 Moroccan rally another harsh test of endurance.

Mechanical failure rates were brutally high at the 1968 Acropolis Rally as rough Greek roads tore vehicles apart.

Spanning the Swiss and French Alps, the Alpine Rally featured narrow cliffs, unpredictable weather, and technical tarmac stages.

High speeds, blind crests, and fearless Scandinavian driving made the 1000 Lakes Rally a fan favorite and technical masterpiece.

Still growing in reputation, the Portuguese rally offered varied terrain and extreme weather across a rugged Iberian landscape.

Ford began asserting dominance at the RAC Rally, with their new Escort model making a huge impact.

Jean-Claude Andruet took an iconic win for Alpine-Renault at Monte Carlo, further establishing French dominance in rally racing.

The 9th edition of the Rallye dei Fiori, held in Sanremo, Italy, was a pivotal event in the European Rally Championship, showcasing the prowess of Scandinavian drivers on Italian tarmac.

The 20th KAK Rallyt, Sweden's premier winter rally, challenged drivers with snow-covered stages and freezing temperatures, testing both man and machine.

The 29th Rajd Polski pushed drivers across Poland’s roughest gravel and forest routes, with local hero Sobiesław Zasada claiming a defining home victory.

Czechoslovakia’s national rally featured winding asphalt roads through the Šumava forests, where local champion Vladimír Hubáček led a Škoda sweep of the podium.

Set in the foothills of the Swiss Alps, the 1969 Geneva Rally challenged drivers with steep tarmac ascents and fast precision loops near Lake Geneva.

Navigation became even more critical at the 1969 Tulip Rally, where small mistakes cost drivers dearly among fierce competition.

One of Europe’s toughest rallies returned with its signature mix of snow-capped peaks, sharp gravel climbs, and long mechanical stretches through Austria’s highest roads.

Torrential weather and wildlife obstacles made the 1969 Safari Rally one of the most brutal in the event’s already punishing history.

One of France’s most prestigious tarmac rallies returned with damp vineyards, fast descents, and a fierce battle between Alpine and Renault machinery in the Beaujolais region.

The Vosges mountains provided the backdrop for a damp and technical 1969 Rallye de Lorraine, where poor traction and sharp pacing decisions defined the results.

Spanning three countries and thousands of kilometers, the 1969 München–Wien–Budapest rally emphasized navigation precision, pacing, and diplomatic planning across Cold War borders.

A precision-focused rally run deep in East German territory, the 1969 Pneumant required exact pacing, co-driver perfection, and mechanical discipline above all else.

Long desert straights and broken terrain pushed vehicles and drivers to their limits across the rugged Moroccan landscape.

Dust storms, intense heat, and rough mountain tracks defined the grueling 1969 Acropolis Rally.

Tarmac hairpins, weather extremes, and rapid descents made the 1969 Alpine Rally a favorite among precision-focused drivers.

The Liège Rally saw its final traditional running in 1969, ending an era of true non-stop endurance rally racing.

Scandinavian drivers thrilled fans once more with full-throttle pace and fearless jumps at the legendary 1000 Lakes Rally.

Portugal’s evolving rally featured more competitive stages, shifting surfaces, and an international field of rising talent.

Ford’s Escort RS models began dominating the British stages, with a particularly strong showing at the 1969 RAC Rally.