History 1970s

1974 Cyprus International Rally (Cyprus)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1974 Cyprus International Rally

Date: October 1974

Host Country: Cyprus

Surface: Mixed Gravel / Asphalt

Total Distance: N/A

Total Starters: 44 crews

Total Finishers: 17 crews

The 1974 Cyprus International Rally pushed crews to their limits with blistering temperatures, sharp elevation changes, and punishing terrain. Held on the Mediterranean island amid political unrest, the rally tested driver concentration and mechanical durability. British duo Roger Clark and Tony Mason stayed composed through the chaos, expertly piloting their Ford Escort RS1600 to victory across scorching gravel and tarmac roads.

Route

Mountain Gravel: Loose stone trails through pine-covered slopes with tricky camber and dust visibility issues.
Coastal Asphalt: Fast tarmac stretches along the southern shoreline, exposed to glare and heat.
Urban Transit Zones: Narrow village roads required extra precision and tested cooling systems during traffic delays.

Stages looped through the Troodos Mountains, dry coastal zones, and urban sectors near Nicosia and Limassol, featuring loose gravel climbs, heat-warped asphalt, and minimal shade.

Despite the mixed-surface challenge, the Ford Escort excelled with balanced grip and mechanical resilience, while several rivals succumbed to overheating and suspension failure.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Roger Clark & Tony Mason · Ford Escort RS1600
2nd Place
Billy Coleman & Ronan Morgan · Ford Escort RS1600
3rd Place
Tony Pond & Fred Gallagher · Triumph Dolomite Sprint

Clark’s experience and controlled aggression gave him the edge as others faltered, making it a 1–2 for the Escorts and a standout result for British rallying abroad.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Heat Management: Crew stamina and cooling systems were tested to the extreme under Cyprus’s autumn sun.
  • Surface Shifts: Abrupt transitions between smooth asphalt and rock-strewn gravel risked tire damage and setup imbalance.
  • Dust and Glare: Late-afternoon stages presented visibility issues that punished any hesitation in pace note execution.

The 1974 Cyprus Rally was a war of attrition, and Roger Clark’s win proved once again that calm under pressure and preparation are the keys to victory on the global stage.

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