History Event 1960s

1967 RAC Rally (United Kingdom)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1967 RAC Rally (Royal Automobile Club Rally)

Scheduled Date: November 1967

Planned Start/Finish Location: Harrogate, England

Planned Total Distance: Approximately 2,000 kilometers

Participating Teams (Planned): Over 130 entries

The 1967 RAC Rally was scheduled as the final round of the European Rally Championship and was expected to once again deliver a grueling challenge across Britain’s late-autumn roads. However, due to a severe outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease across the UK countryside, the rally was cancelled just days before the event was to begin. It remains one of the few times in rally history where a major championship round was entirely called off.

Route

Welsh Forests: Gravel stages with sharp elevation changes and frequent water crossings.
Yorkshire and Lake District: Fast sections through moorland and forest routes with technical tarmac connectors.
Scottish Borders: Rougher terrain planned to test suspension and navigation under fog-prone conditions.

While the event was cancelled, the planned route would have included:

These routes were intended to provide one of the most diverse and challenging courses of the 1967 rally season, combining night stages, adverse weather, and a high attrition rate typical of the RAC Rally.

🏆 Results

❌ No official results were recorded for the 1967 RAC Rally due to the event's cancellation.

The cancellation disappointed many leading drivers and teams who were already en route or registered to compete. It also affected the final standings in the European Rally Championship.

Car Highlights

  • Ford Lotus Cortina: A strong contender with previous RAC wins and excellent gravel performance.
  • Saab 96 V4: Lightweight and consistent, popular for its front-wheel-drive traction in slippery British conditions.
  • Mini Cooper S: Still effective in tight stages, although struggling against newer, more powerful rivals.

While no cars took to the stages, these models were expected to headline the entry list and were in strong contention for the win.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Severe Weather: Rain, mud, and fog were expected to make visibility and traction major concerns.
  • Pace Note Discipline: With many night stages, reliance on co-driver calls would have been critical.
  • Mechanical Durability: The RAC was known for punishing gearboxes, differentials, and suspensions.

Although the rally did not run, the 1967 RAC Rally remains historically significant for being cancelled due to a national agricultural crisis, marking a rare disruption in the event’s storied legacy.

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