History 1960s

1965 Rallye de Lorraine

Overview

The 1965 Rallye de Lorraine continued to refine its reputation as one of the most technically demanding tarmac events in France. Set against the backdrop of the Vosges Mountains and Lorraine’s forested valleys, this ERC-recognized round offered little room for error. Drivers were forced to master soaked roads, elevation shifts, and timing pressure—making the event a true test of smooth driving and mechanical balance.


Route

Total Distance: ~1,150 kilometers
Surface: Primarily wet asphalt, with gravel runoff in forested corners
Hazards: Slippery tree-lined chicanes, mud deposits on braking zones, and inconsistent corner banking

The route focused on the eastern departments of Vosges and Haute-Saône, taking competitors near Épinal, Gérardmer, and the Ballon d’Alsace. The rally featured technical climbs, tight descents, and roads frequently blanketed in spring rainfall and morning fog.

Visibility was a constant issue—crews often entered corners blind and had to trust the pace notes and their car’s balance implicitly.


🏆 Results

Overall Winner
2nd Place
3rd Place

Navigation & Challenges

Navigation played a defining role, especially in fog-laden forests where visibility dropped below 30 meters. Co-drivers were responsible not just for pace, but for tracking every subtle turn between tree shadows and trail markers. Penalties for late arrival stacked quickly, and several promising crews were knocked from contention after missing poorly marked controls.

  • Map Fluency: Essential for interpreting ambiguous turns and mid-stage re-routes
  • Weather Adaptability: Tire and brake fade management became strategic decisions
  • Time Control Precision: Late arrival penalties eliminated multiple front-runners

The 1965 Rallye de Lorraine was unforgiving in silence—less about spectacle, more about steady nerves and the battle between man, machine, and mountain mist.

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