History 1970s

1972 Rallye Internationale du Maroc (Morocco)

Overview

Event Name: 1972 Rallye Internationale du Maroc

Date: May 9–14, 1972

Host Country: Morocco

Surface: Gravel

Total Distance: ~1,830 km

Total Starters: 71 crews

Total Finishers: 26 crews

The 1972 Rallye du Maroc was one of the toughest gravel events of the season, cutting through the deserts, mountains, and dusty plains of North Africa. With long, punishing stages and relentless heat, only the most durable cars and composed crews could hope to finish—let alone win. This edition saw Peugeot’s rugged engineering rewarded with a dominant victory over an international field.


Route

Atlas Passages: Rocky climbs and descents pushed drivetrains and brakes to the brink under searing sunlight.
Desert Plains: High-speed straights on loose gravel and sand demanded total steering control and dust-proof reliability.
Remote Villages: Tight road sections on coarse terrain tested suspension setups and co-driver navigation.

The rally started in Casablanca and wound through the Atlas Mountains, dry riverbeds, and vast inland deserts before finishing in Marrakesh.

As with previous editions, the rally emphasized reliability over raw speed—penalizing the unprepared and rewarding careful management of both vehicle and crew stamina.


🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Jean-Pierre Nicolas & Michel Vial · Peugeot 504
2nd Place
Ove Andersson & Arne Hertz · Fiat 124 Sport Spider
3rd Place
Rauno Aaltonen & Lofty Drews · Datsun 1800 SSS

Nicolas and Vial’s calm execution and the 504’s toughness secured a landmark win, reinforcing Peugeot’s reputation for conquering the most hostile rally terrain in Africa.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Heat and Dust: Engine cooling, cabin ventilation, and visibility were constant obstacles under 40°C daytime highs.
  • Mechanical Fatigue: Long stages over punishing terrain broke differentials, suspensions, and clutches with ease.
  • Navigation Precision: Missed turnoffs or vague road markings in remote areas could cost huge time or result in disqualification.

The 1972 Rallye du Maroc tested every aspect of rally competition—strategy, resilience, and mechanical grit—and Peugeot rose above all others in a commanding display of desert dominance.

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