History Event 1960s

1964 Rallye de Lorraine

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

The 1964 Rallye de Lorraine, held in the scenic and densely wooded terrain of northeastern France, was a demanding technical rally that challenged both man and machine. While not as internationally known as Monte Carlo or the Alpine Rally, Lorraine had developed a respected reputation on the ERC calendar for its narrow roads, variable grip conditions, and intense focus on timing accuracy. The event showcased the intricacies of French rallying tradition, favoring control and composure over flat-out speed.

Route

Total Distance: Approximately 1,100 kilometers
Surface: Mixed sealed roads, rural asphalt, cobbles, and forest tarmac
Hazards: Wet leaves, slick painted crossings, stone walls near apexes, and intermittent fog

Traversing the Vosges foothills and Alsace-Lorraine vineyards, the route blended fast tarmac stretches with tight switchbacks and treacherous forest descents. Drivers faced microclimates that could shift from dry sunshine to fog and mist in the same stage, making adaptability crucial.

Lorraine’s route required not only a steady throttle but precise gear selection and brake management, especially through elevation changes in shaded sections.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
René Trautmann · Citroën DS19
2nd Place
Jean-Claude Andruet · Renault 8
3rd Place
Claude Le Guezec / Simca 1000

French rally specialist René Trautmann claimed a celebrated victory behind the wheel of his Citroën DS19. His use of the hydropneumatic suspension and tire management across varying surfaces allowed him to maintain consistent pace even through the rally’s more punishing sectors.

While the rear-engine Renault 8 and nimble Simca 1000 performed admirably on tighter sections, it was Trautmann’s smooth execution and minimal time penalties that secured victory.

Car Highlights

The 1964 edition rewarded stability, tire compliance, and driver restraint. Those who could ‘float’ through rough forest sectors while preserving tire life fared better than those who pushed the pace and paid the price in braking zones.

  • Citroën DS19: Renowned for its self-leveling suspension and smooth damping, ideal for mixed-surface control
  • Renault 8: Responsive steering and balanced traction, favored in short bursts and village crossings
  • Simca 1000: Light and agile through hairpins, though prone to oversteer when trail braking aggressively

Several retirements came from off-road excursions or brake fade during long descents, especially in sectors near Munster and Gérardmer.

Navigation & Challenges

Success hinged on the co-driver’s ability to adapt pace notes in real-time. Lorraine was infamous for timing traps, mid-stage direction changes, and weather variables that tested not just technical skill, but trust within the car.

  • Night Fog: Regular in higher sections, often made headlight discipline and road positioning vital
  • Note Consistency: Inconsistent road markings made it essential to rely on pacenotes rather than visuals
  • Checkpoint Precision: Penalties for even minor early arrivals cost teams podium chances

Although not as media-saturated as Alpine or Corsican events, the 1964 Rallye de Lorraine offered a pure test of rallying fundamentals, and remains a respected fixture in French rallying heritage.

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