History 1970s

1973 Rallye du Maroc (Morocco)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 21º Rallye du Maroc

Date: May 8–13, 1973

Host Country: Morocco

Surface: Mixed Asphalt / Gravel

Total Distance: 1,210 km (competitive)

Total Starters: 70 crews

Total Finishers: 23 crews

The 1973 Rallye du Maroc was one of the most punishing rounds of the WRC season, mixing vast desert plains with winding mountain passes. With high temperatures, loose gravel, and unreliable road conditions, the rally became a test of endurance and vehicle durability. Bernard Darniche and Alain Mahé overcame the chaos with expert navigation and consistent pace, giving Alpine another major win in their championship campaign.

Route

Atlas Mountains: Rocky climbs and descents with limited runoff and steep drop-offs made precision critical.
Sahara Outskirts: Gravel trails filled with dust clouds and scattered stones frequently caused punctures and mechanical failures.
Urban Stages: Faster, cleaner roads near Rabat and Casablanca offered brief relief—but required absolute attention.

Spanning across Morocco, the rally included harsh stages through the Atlas Mountains, arid plains, and coastal tarmac sectors that punished both drivers and machines.

Fluctuating temperatures and surface changes forced teams to make aggressive tire and suspension compromises throughout the rally.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Bernard Darniche & Alain Mahé · Alpine-Renault A110 1800
2nd Place
Jean-Pierre Nicolas & Michel Vial · Peugeot 504
3rd Place
Rauno Aaltonen & Jean Todt · Fiat 124 Abarth Rally

Darniche’s ability to balance aggression with mechanical sympathy allowed Alpine to survive where others failed, securing victory in one of the most difficult rallies of the season.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Mechanical Attrition: Long stages with poor surfaces destroyed suspensions, clutches, and differentials.
  • Navigation Complexity: Vague roadbooks and isolated terrain made accurate co-driving essential to staying on course.
  • Heat and Fatigue: High cockpit temperatures and limited service opportunities tested crew endurance over six grueling days.

The 1973 Rallye du Maroc was a rally of survival as much as speed—and Darniche’s calm control paired with Alpine’s lightweight engineering proved to be the winning formula in the unforgiving North African landscape.

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