History 1970s

1974 Rallye di San Marino (San Marino/Italy)

Overview

Event Name: 1974 Rallye di San Marino

Date: February 27 – March 2, 1974

Host Countries: San Marino / Italy

Surface: Gravel / Snow

Total Distance: N/A

Total Starters: 61 crews

Total Finishers: 29 crews

Held in the rugged Apennine terrain straddling San Marino and central Italy, the 1974 Rallye di San Marino was a challenging winter rally combining muddy gravel and snowy climbs. Drivers had to adapt quickly to variable traction and steep hillside routes. Lele Pinto and Gino Macaluso used the Fiat 124 Abarth’s traction and balance to great effect, claiming a decisive victory under difficult mixed conditions.


Route

Mountain Gravel Roads: Narrow, twisty climbs with variable grip and little runoff demanded full concentration.
Snowy Ridge Sections: Higher elevations carried fresh snow, creating slick descents and inconsistent braking zones.
Village Transits: Paved connectors and brief urban sections required quick surface transitions and braking precision.

Stages wove through the hills and valleys of San Marino and neighboring Italian regions, with alternating gravel and snowy highland stages pushing drivers to the edge of control.

The ever-changing mix of thawing snow and gravel made tire choice and suspension tuning a major strategic factor throughout the rally.


🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Lele Pinto & Gino Macaluso · Fiat 124 Abarth Rallye
2nd Place
Mauro Pregliasco & Luciano Rogano · Lancia Fulvia HF
3rd Place
Francesco Rossetti & Enrico Pittella · Porsche 911

Pinto’s confident control on slippery descents and Macaluso’s exact co-driving secured Fiat’s early-season dominance in a rally that left many crews stranded or off pace.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Variable Conditions: Drivers had to adjust instantly between gravel traction and icy patches within a single stage.
  • Brake Cooling: Long downhill sections required careful brake management to avoid fade in the snow.
  • Limited Visibility: Fog and snowfall at higher elevations tested visibility and co-driver communication.

The 1974 Rallye di San Marino was a true test of adaptability—and Pinto’s sharp driving under pressure gave Fiat a well-earned victory over treacherous Apennine ground.

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