History Event 1960s

1966 RAC Rally (United Kingdom)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1966 RAC Rally (Royal Automobile Club Rally)

Date: November 20–25, 1966

Start/Finish Location: Blackpool, England

Total Distance: Approximately 2,100 kilometers

Participating Teams: 183 starters / 55 classified finishers

The 1966 RAC Rally was the 16th running of Britain's premier rally event. Renowned for its technical forest stages, shifting weather conditions, and high mechanical attrition, it spanned across England, Wales, and Scotland. It was a demanding test of both endurance and precision driving, attracting elite crews from across Europe.

Route

Welsh Forests: Classic gravel routes such as Dyfi and Hafren tested tire grip and throttle finesse.
Yorkshire Stages: Fast sections with elevation drops and slick moorland paths.
Scottish Borders: Rougher stages demanding strong suspension and precise navigation.

The rally took competitors through a punishing mix of surfaces and landscapes:

With over 50 special stages and night driving segments, the rally emphasized endurance, car control, and accurate pacenotes.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Bengt Söderström & Gunnar Palm · Ford Lotus Cortina
2nd Place
Roger Clark & Jim Porter · Ford Cortina GT
3rd Place
Simo Lampinen & John Davenport · Saab 96

Söderström’s consistent pace, combined with the Lotus Cortina’s balance and durability, brought Ford a major victory. Roger Clark led early but suffered punctures, while Lampinen’s Saab proved tough and reliable on the muddy forest roads.

Car Highlights

The forest terrain rewarded cars with strong handling and suspension durability:

  • Ford Lotus Cortina: Twin-cam engine and agile chassis delivered balanced performance on loose surfaces.
  • Ford Cortina GT: Versatile and robust, it performed well across gravel and mixed-surface sections.
  • Saab 96: Lightweight, front-wheel drive, and extremely reliable over long distances and rough terrain.

Navigation & Challenges

Weather and terrain tested both crews and equipment:

  • Fog and Rain: Heavy conditions made visibility a critical issue, especially during night stages.
  • Mud and Ice: Cold conditions made forest tracks treacherous with shifting grip levels.
  • Navigation: Dozens of stages with minimal signage meant pacenote accuracy was vital.

The 1966 RAC Rally was a true test of resilience and precision, rewarding only the most composed and well-prepared teams over five brutal days of competition.

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