History 1970s

1970 Danube Rally (Austria to Romania)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1970 Donau Rallye (Danube Rally)

Date: July 29–31, 1970

Host Countries: Austria and Romania

Surface: Asphalt

Total Distance: ~130 km

Total Starters: 63 crews

Total Finishers: 38 crews

The Donau Rallye, named after the Danube River, was a unique cross-border asphalt rally running from Austria into Romania. With a relatively short competitive distance, it was a high-speed affair that demanded absolute commitment on narrow and often remote roadways winding along the river’s path.

Route

Lower Austrian Segments: Wide, fast tarmac roads provided high-speed opportunities with light elevation shifts.
Border Crossing: The route incorporated transit logistics through customs and control points entering Romania.
Carpathian Approach: Romanian stretches introduced tighter corners and rougher asphalt along forested hills.

The rally traced parts of the Danube corridor, offering a mix of flatland speed and undulating hills near river valleys.

Despite its limited length, the rally required sharp timekeeping and maximum performance in every stage with little margin for recovery.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Günther Janger & Walter Wessiak · Porsche 911 S
2nd Place
Ernst Schmied & Rudi Stohl · BMW 2002 Ti
3rd Place
Josef Reitsperger & Fritz Singer · Fiat 124 Sport Coupé

Janger and Wessiak drove a flawless rally, capitalizing on the Porsche 911’s superior cornering and top-end pace to secure a decisive win across international terrain.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Transnational Route: Customs and timing checkpoints created logistical hurdles and required precise documentation.
  • Limited Recovery: Short total distance meant early mistakes could not be recovered across later stages.
  • Surface Degradation: Romanian sections had variable asphalt quality, testing suspension tuning and braking confidence.

The 1970 Donau Rallye proved that even a relatively short event could pack in political complexity, high-speed risk, and elite driving — especially when threading through the heart of Eastern Europe.

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