History 1970s

1973 Tour de Corse – Rallye de France (France)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 17ème Tour de Corse – Rallye de France

Date: December 1–2, 1973

Host Country: France

Surface: Asphalt / Snow

Total Distance: 511.7 km (competitive)

Total Starters: 79 crews

Total Finishers: 22 crews

The 1973 Tour de Corse capped off the inaugural WRC season with a grueling test of concentration and cornering endurance on Corsica’s tortuous mountain roads. Slick tarmac, surprise snow in the higher passes, and minimal runoff meant even the smallest mistake could be terminal. Jean-Pierre Nicolas and Michel Vial displayed unwavering focus and perfect tire management to secure victory, sealing Alpine’s dominant year with a final flourish.

Route

Coastal Roads: Clifftop tarmac required inch-perfect judgment, with steep drop-offs and constant camber shifts.
Mountain Passes: Snow and frost coated narrow switchbacks, demanding careful throttle use and studded tires on some stages.
Village Sections: Tight, technical corners between stone buildings left no margin for error or oversteer.

The route circled the mountainous island of Corsica, stringing together thousands of corners with barely any straights, and climbing into high-elevation sectors dusted by early winter snow.

Weather changes throughout the rally made tire strategy critical, especially as the temperature dropped heading into the second leg.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Jean-Pierre Nicolas & Michel Vial · Alpine-Renault A110 1800
2nd Place
Bernard Darniche & Alain Mahé · Alpine-Renault A110 1800
3rd Place
Gérard Larrousse & Jean-Claude Lefèbvre · Porsche 911 Carrera RS

Nicolas's composure under pressure and Vial's exacting co-driving ensured a 1–2 Alpine finish on home ground, reinforcing the French marque’s supremacy on asphalt in 1973.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Corner Count: Thousands of bends per day demanded relentless concentration from both driver and co-driver.
  • Surface Transitions: Sudden snow patches or wet tarmac in shaded areas tested tire grip and reflexes.
  • Fatigue: The combination of short straights, long hours, and constant input wore down many of the top crews by the rally’s final stages.

The 1973 Tour de Corse delivered a dramatic close to the first WRC season—an asphalt epic that confirmed Alpine’s finesse, Nicolas’s rising status, and the island’s reputation as one of the most unforgiving events on the calendar.

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