History 1960s

1962 Rallye Sestriere (Italy)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1962 Rallye Sestriere

Date: March 1962

Start/Finish Location: Turin to Sestriere, Italy

Total Distance: Approximately 1,250 kilometers

Total Entries: 66 crews

Total Starters: 60 crews

Total Finishers: 42 crews

Held in the Italian Alps, the 1962 Rallye Sestriere tested crews across slick tarmac and snow-covered mountain passes between Turin and the famed ski resort of Sestriere. Though not part of the ERC that year, it attracted a strong international field and served as a benchmark for winter tarmac rally performance.

Route

Turin to Susa Valley: Fast but narrow road sections, often damp and gravel-strewn from late winter runoff.
Colle del Sestriere: The defining climb of the rally — snow-packed and steep, with hairpins cut into icy ledges.
Montgenèvre Link: Brief French-side detour with packed ice and fog zones across international terrain.

The route traced a demanding loop through the Piedmont and Alpine foothills, combining steep climbs, frozen switchbacks, and unpredictable conditions:

A mix of night driving and frozen surfaces created a rally that rewarded caution as much as pace.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Arnaldo Cavallari & Luigi Macaluso · Lancia Flaminia GT
2nd Place
Giancarlo Baghetti & Giorgio Pianta · Alfa Romeo Giulietta TI
3rd Place
Gino Munaron & Carlo Cossu · Fiat 2300 S Coupé

Cavallari and Macaluso used the Lancia Flaminia’s traction and poise to master the frozen descents, while Baghetti’s technical driving in the agile Alfa kept him competitive in the tighter sections. Fiat’s larger coupé surprised many with its balance and reliability in the snow.

Navigation & Challenges

The challenges of Rallye Sestriere stemmed from the weather, terrain, and extreme altitude changes:

  • Snow & Ice: Tire choice and snow chain deployment were crucial — grip changed rapidly by altitude and exposure.
  • Altitude Sickness: High passes like Colle del Sestriere tested both engines and driver concentration with thin air and cold starts.
  • Visibility: Fog and glare from icy surfaces created visual fatigue, especially during early morning or night stages.

The 1962 Rallye Sestriere embodied the transitional era between classic road rallies and specialized winter motorsport, showcasing Alpine precision and mechanical strength in one of Italy’s most dramatic rally landscapes.

← Previous Event 1962 Rallye Lyon–Charbonnières (France)
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