History 1970s

1976 Lombard RAC Rally (United Kingdom)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 25th Lombard RAC Rally

Date: November 27–30, 1976

Host Country: United Kingdom

Surface: Gravel

Total Distance: ~2,600 km

Total Starters: 180 crews

Total Finishers: 79 crews

The 1976 Lombard RAC Rally delivered one of the most emotional victories in British rally history, as Roger Clark and co-driver Stuart Pegg conquered wet gravel stages and fierce international competition to win in a Ford Escort RS1800. It marked the first win for a British driver in the RAC since 1960, thrilling local fans and solidifying Clark’s legacy as a national rally hero.

Route

Kielder Forest: Fast, flowing gravel stages made treacherous by rain and fog.
Welsh Borders: Narrow lanes and muddy inclines with unpredictable traction.
Yorkshire Moors: Long straights and sharp dips, with mechanical attrition from constant surface changes.

The event featured dozens of stages across England, Wales, and southern Scotland, covering iconic forestry routes and parkland tests alike under classic British late-autumn weather.

Intermittent rain and persistent fog turned many stages into muddy, low-grip battlegrounds, rewarding crews with local knowledge and high mechanical reliability.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Roger Clark & Stuart Pegg · Ford Escort RS1800
2nd Place
Hannu Mikkola & Atso Aho · Toyota Celica 2000GT
3rd Place
Timo Mäkinen & Henry Liddon · Ford Escort RS1800

Clark’s victory sent the British rallying world into celebration—the culmination of experience, talent, and a perfectly prepared Escort finally delivering the RAC win he had long chased.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Fog and Rain: Limited visibility and slick surfaces made early morning and night stages especially hazardous.
  • Mechanical Consistency: Engine overheating, transmission failures, and broken lights plagued many contenders.
  • Event Length: The demanding multi-day format tested physical and mental endurance across crew and service teams.

The 1976 RAC Rally was a historic home triumph for Roger Clark, delivering one of the most celebrated victories in British rally history and cementing the Escort’s legend on UK soil.

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