History 1970s

1976 Tour de Corse (France)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 20ème Tour de Corse

Date: November 6–7, 1976

Host Country: France

Surface: Asphalt

Total Distance: ~1,150 km

Total Starters: 76 crews

Total Finishers: 22 crews

The 1976 Tour de Corse offered another round of relentless tarmac rallying on the mountainous Mediterranean island of Corsica. With its endless succession of narrow corners and sheer drop-offs, the rally was a true test of stamina and rhythm. Sandro Munari, co-driven by Silvio Maiga, dominated the field in the Lancia Stratos HF, executing a near-flawless campaign through twisting coastal and inland roads that left rivals in their wake.

Route

Ajaccio Region: Tight village stages with steep cambers and sudden transitions.
Calvi to Corte: Remote mountain stages with variable grip and heavy braking zones.
Bastia Loops: Fast, flowing sections along the coast with narrow bridges and rock-cut cliffs.

The rally's looping course took crews through Corsica’s rugged interior and coastline, combining high-speed tarmac with relentless hairpins, elevation changes, and unforgiving edges.

Clear November skies helped keep stages dry, though worn tarmac and gravel spillover demanded discipline and smooth inputs to avoid tire fade or off-road incidents.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Sandro Munari & Silvio Maiga · Lancia Stratos HF
2nd Place
Jean-Pierre Nicolas & Michel Vial · Peugeot 504 V6 Coupé
3rd Place
Bernard Darniche & Alain Mahé · Lancia Stratos HF

Munari’s domination of Corsica’s technical labyrinth further established him as one of rallying’s great tarmac stylists—his mastery of the Stratos never more evident than in the tight confines of the Tour de Corse.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Pacenote Precision: With thousands of turns and few straights, the co-driver’s rhythm had to match the car’s exact flow.
  • Brake Management: Overheating was common on long descents and back-to-back hairpins.
  • Driver Focus: The relentless cornering taxed concentration and physical stamina more than most gravel rallies.

The 1976 Tour de Corse reinforced Corsica’s reputation as one of rallying’s purest tarmac tests—and Munari's win added another chapter to the Stratos’s legend in the mountains of France.

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