History 1970s

1973 Österreichische Alpenfahrt (Austria)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 44º Österreichische Alpenfahrt

Date: September 12–15, 1973

Host Country: Austria

Surface: Gravel

Total Distance: 324.5 km (competitive)

Total Starters: 72 crews

Total Finishers: 28 crews

The 1973 edition of the Austrian Alpine Rally, or Alpenfahrt, was a grueling mix of high-speed mountain climbs and rugged alpine terrain. Known for its beautiful yet brutal scenery, the rally offered little margin for error. Achim Warmbold and Jean Todt demonstrated flawless teamwork and technical mastery to conquer the high-altitude gravel and earn a vital WRC points win for BMW.

Route

Alpine Passes: Tight switchbacks, exposed edges, and long climbs challenged both power and balance.

Gravel Descent Runs: Loose stone and sharp curves demanded measured braking and precise corner exits.

Forest Sections: Dense, shaded stages often held moisture, making grip inconsistent and treacherous.

The rally spanned the Austrian Alps, with stages climbing steep gravel roads and descending into narrow valleys bordered by pine forests and rocky cliffs.

Weather remained mostly dry, though overnight dew and high-altitude air thinned engine performance in some segments.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner

Achim Warmbold & Jean Todt · BMW 2002 Ti

2nd Place

Jean-Pierre Nicolas & Michel Vial · Alpine-Renault A110 1800

3rd Place

Walter Röhrl & Jochen Berger · Opel Ascona A

Warmbold’s technical driving and Todt’s reliable pace note execution made the BMW unstoppable in the demanding alpine environment, holding off fierce pressure from Alpine and Opel challengers.

Navigation & Challenges

Altitude Effects: Power loss at high elevations tested vehicle tuning and gear selection strategies.
Edge Risk: Minimal guardrails meant even small errors on mountain stages could prove catastrophic.
Tire Wear: Constant cornering on loose stone caused irregular tire degradation and frequent changes in grip mid-stage.

The 1973 Alpenfahrt was a rally of balance, bravery, and mountain mastery—one that Warmbold and Todt conquered with precision to elevate BMW’s WRC standing.

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