History 1970s

1971 Rallye München–Wien–Budapest, Three Cities Rally (Germany, Austria, Hungary)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1971 Rallye München–Wien–Budapest (Three Cities Rally)

Date: September 1971

Host Countries: Germany, Austria, and Hungary

Surface: Mixed

Total Distance: N/A

Total Starters: 66 crews

Total Finishers: 41 crews

The 1971 Three Cities Rally traced a historic and geographically diverse route through Munich, Vienna, and Budapest. Combining Western and Eastern European road networks, the event featured quick tarmac transit stages, occasional gravel sectors, and long navigation legs—requiring endurance, coordination, and versatile machinery.

Route

German Segments: Quick rural stages over well-paved roads and forest detours near Munich.
Austrian Midsection: Tight Alpine tarmac with high-speed chicanes and gravel connectors around Vienna.
Hungarian Finale: Flat-out transitions across plains and through urban outskirts with tighter surface variability.

The rally covered Central Europe’s shifting landscapes—from Bavaria’s foothills to the Danube Valley and the Hungarian plains.

Navigation errors and fatigue played just as important a role as mechanical reliability and outright pace over the event’s cross-border format.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Rauno Aaltonen & Jean Todt · Datsun 240Z
2nd Place
Franz Wittmann Sr. & Rolf Hellmich · BMW 2002 Ti
3rd Place
Jean-Claude Andruet & “Biche” · Alpine-Renault A110 1600

Aaltonen’s legendary precision and Todt’s tactical discipline made the Datsun 240Z a powerful force across the varied terrain—proving its growing reputation beyond endurance events like the Safari.

Navigation & Challenges

  • International Navigation: Cross-border timing, customs delays, and roadbook accuracy were essential for staying in contention.
  • Surface Variability: Fast alternation between gravel and tarmac created setup compromise and tire wear issues.
  • Pacing Consistency: Success required error-free rhythm and focus across multiple days with minimal rest.

The 1971 Three Cities Rally proved a strategic and mechanical challenge, rewarding the seasoned pairing of Aaltonen and Todt with a defining victory in Datsun’s European rally evolution.

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