History 1970s

1977 Critérium du Québec (Canada)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1977 Critérium du Québec

Date: September 14–18, 1977

Host Country: Canada

Surface: Gravel

Total Distance: ~1,800 km

Total Starters: Approx. 60 crews

Total Finishers: 21 crews

Set against the backdrop of Québec's dense forests and twisting gravel roads, the 1977 Critérium du Québec tested both speed and mechanical resilience. Finnish driver Timo Salonen, partnered with Arne Hertz, tackled the tough Canadian terrain in their Datsun 710 (Violet) with precision and confidence—delivering a decisive victory and marking another strong international result for the Japanese manufacturer.

Route

Trois-Rivières and Shawinigan Stages: Narrow, tree-lined gravel with mixed surface grip and blind corners.
Lac Saint-Jean Region: Long endurance loops with exposed rock, water crossings, and soft shoulders.
Night Sections: Limited visibility and early autumn fog added pressure to already technical stages.

The rally ran through the forests and rural road networks of eastern Québec, combining fast logging roads, tight corners, and loose gravel with frequent elevation changes.

Consistent rain throughout parts of the event created muddy ruts and deep puddles, forcing crews to balance aggression with survival on the rougher stretches.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Timo Salonen & Arne Hertz · Datsun 710
2nd Place
Jean-Paul Perusse & Normand Lalonde · Volvo 142
3rd Place
Tom Burgess & Brian Maxwell · Ford Escort RS2000

Salonen’s smooth, measured approach and the reliability of the Datsun were a perfect match for the punishing Québec landscape—earning a win that helped bolster Datsun’s growing rally reputation abroad.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Forest Density: Close trees, blind curves, and deceptive shadows required tight pacenotes and lighting upgrades.
  • Water and Mud: Frequent rain led to traction issues and cooling concerns on waterlogged routes.
  • Driver Endurance: Long stages and unpredictable surfaces tested mental and physical focus over multiple days.

The 1977 Critérium du Québec offered a raw and technical rallying experience—and Salonen’s measured speed and cool temperament helped him write his name into Canadian rally history.

← Previous Event 1977 1000 Lakes Rally (Finland)
Back to Events Index
1977 Rallye Sanremo (Italy) Next Event →

Watch rallies anywhere — bypass region blocks with NordVPN.

Fast servers for HD streams Servers in 60+ countries 30-day money-back

Unblock coverage — Save up to 77% + 3 months free

Sponsored link. Using our partner links helps support Compromised Internals at no extra cost to you.