History 1960s

1966 Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1966 Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo

Date: January 14–20, 1966

Start/Finish Location: Monte Carlo, Monaco

Total Starters: 237 crews

Total Finishers: 51 crews

The 1966 Monte Carlo Rally is one of the most controversial events in rally history. While it featured classic winter routes through the Alps and strong competition, the final results were overshadowed by disqualification rulings that eliminated the top finishers. This edition is remembered as much for its sporting drama as for the fierce competition on snow-covered mountain passes.

Route

Starting Points: Included cities like Oslo, Warsaw, Paris, and Lisbon.
Alpine Roads: The French Alps, including the Col de Turini, tested drivers with black ice, snowbanks, and steep descents.
Final Night Loop: Featured concentration stages around Monte Carlo with visibility challenges and night driving demands.

The rally maintained its traditional format, with multiple start cities leading to a common route through France:

The mountainous terrain and shifting weather patterns favored adaptable driving styles and solid winter preparation.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Timo Mäkinen & Paul Easter (Mini Cooper S) — Disqualified
2nd Place
Rauno Aaltonen (Mini Cooper S) — Disqualified
3rd Place
Paddy Hopkirk (Mini Cooper S) — Disqualified

The top Minis and several Ford Cortinas were controversially disqualified for non-standard headlamp bulbs. This handed victory to Toivonen, who had originally placed 4th, sparking outrage and calls for reform in rally regulations.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Snow and Ice: Tire choice and precise car control were essential on twisty descents.
  • Night Driving: Final stages took place in complete darkness, relying heavily on co-driver navigation and lighting systems.
  • Technical Scrutiny: Post-race inspections became headline news after disqualifications.

The 1966 Monte Carlo Rally became a turning point in rally history — not for its terrain, but for the ensuing debate over fairness, regulations, and sporting spirit. It remains one of the most infamous editions of any international rally.

← Previous Event 1965 RAC Rally (United Kingdom)
Back to Events Index
1966 KAK Rallyt – Swedish Rally Next Event →

Watch rallies anywhere — bypass region blocks with NordVPN.

Fast servers for HD streams Servers in 60+ countries 30-day money-back

Unblock coverage — Save up to 77% + 3 months free

Sponsored link. Using our partner links helps support Compromised Internals at no extra cost to you.