History 1970s

1977 Rally Internazionale di Sicilia (Italy)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1977 Rally Internazionale di Sicilia

Date: March 25–27, 1977

Host Country: Italy

Surface: Tarmac

Total Distance: ~800 km

Total Starters: Approx. 65 crews

Total Finishers: N/A

The 1977 Rally Internazionale di Sicilia took competitors into the heart of the island’s mountainous interior, with relentless tarmac stages demanding pinpoint precision. Antonio “Tony” Carello and Paolo Garzoli delivered a polished performance in their Lancia Stratos HF, taking advantage of the mid-engined car’s agility and explosive acceleration on tight hill climbs and rapid descents.

Route

Palermo–Cefalù Region: Fast coastal ascents with tight sequences and minimal runoff.
Madonie Mountains: Classic Sicilian hillclimbs with switchbacks and steep braking zones.
Corleone to Prizzi: Winding backroads with highly abrasive tarmac, testing tire wear and suspension setup.

The route explored Sicily’s rugged landscape, combining technical hairpins, rapid ridge runs, and narrow village sectors lined with stone walls and spectators.

Mostly clear spring weather offered excellent visibility, though dust and gravel runoff on the edges added hazards through corners and braking points.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Antonio “Tony” Carello & Paolo Garzoli · Lancia Stratos HF
2nd Place
Adartico Vudafieri & Luigi Pirollo · Fiat 131 Abarth
3rd Place
“Tony” Fassina & Mauro Mannini · Opel Kadett GT/E

Carello’s calculated speed and the Stratos’s tarmac strengths made the difference—carving through Sicilian roads that demanded both control and commitment.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Blind Crests and Switchbacks: Constant elevation changes made precise pacenotes a necessity.
  • Dust and Gravel Spillover: Rural roads often had corner-cut debris that could destabilize braking and turn-in.
  • Local Traffic Hazards: Remote stretches occasionally saw local interference or narrow road obstructions.

The 1977 Rally Internazionale di Sicilia played to the strengths of Italy’s fastest teams—and Carello’s clean, dominant drive added to the Stratos’s growing list of tarmac triumphs.

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