History 1970s

1974 Tour de Corse – Rallye de France (France)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 18ème Tour de Corse – Rallye de France

Date: November 30 – December 1, 1974

Host Country: France

Surface: Asphalt

Total Distance: 374.9 km (competitive)

Total Starters: 78 crews

Total Finishers: 22 crews

The 1974 Tour de Corse lived up to its brutal reputation, delivering two days of tight corners, constant braking, and high-concentration stages across the mountainous island of Corsica. Known as the “Rally of 10,000 Corners,” it tested mechanical grip and mental stamina more than outright speed. Jean-Claude Andruet and co-driver 'Biche' thrived in these conditions, securing a home win for Lancia and the Stratos HF on one of the calendar’s most technical events.

Route

Mountain Loops: Hairpins, blind crests, and narrow lanes with no runoff punished even the smallest errors.
Coastal Sections: Sea mist and temperature drops created inconsistent grip conditions.
Urban Villages: Tight village corners and sudden transitions kept co-drivers under pressure throughout.

The route spiraled through the rugged Corsican interior, with steep climbs, rapid descents, and cliff-hugging tarmac roads.

Dry but cool autumn weather offered relatively stable grip, though tire degradation remained a constant concern due to the frequency of heavy braking zones.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Jean-Claude Andruet & “Biche” · Lancia Stratos HF
2nd Place
Bernard Darniche & Alain Mahé · Alpine-Renault A110 1800
3rd Place
Guy Fréquelin & Jacques Delaval · Opel Ascona A

Andruet’s intimate knowledge of Corsican roads and the Stratos’s razor-sharp tarmac agility proved the perfect combination for one of the most prestigious non-WRC asphalt wins of the season.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Endless Corners: Crews faced hundreds of corners per stage, requiring total mental focus and precise pacenotes.
  • Brake Management: Repeated downhill sections pushed brake temperatures and fade risk to the edge.
  • Unforgiving Terrain: Minimal runoff and sheer drops meant zero margin for error—any mistake could end the rally.

The 1974 Tour de Corse demanded finesse, endurance, and total confidence—qualities that Andruet and the Stratos delivered in one of the most technical wins of the year.

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