History 1970s

1977 Lombard RAC Rally (United Kingdom)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 26th Lombard RAC Rally

Date: November 20–24, 1977

Host Country: United Kingdom

Surface: Gravel

Total Distance: ~2,600 km

Total Starters: 180 crews

Total Finishers: 73 crews

The 1977 Lombard RAC Rally offered another classic test of endurance and car control through the muddy forests of Britain. With slippery gravel, thick fog, and intermittent rain, the conditions favored skill, consistency, and resilience. Björn Waldegård and co-driver Hans Thorszelius expertly navigated the treacherous stages in their Ford Escort RS1800, fending off fierce competition to secure a dramatic and well-earned victory to close out the year.

Route

Kielder and Grizedale Forests: Long, muddy straights and blind corners framed by towering pines.
Welsh Stages (Clocaenog, Dyfi): Narrow gravel paths with mixed traction and steep ditches.
Yorkshire Moors: Fast but fog-prone stages with deep puddles and unpredictable surface changes.

The rally looped through England, Wales, and parts of southern Scotland, traversing iconic British forests and military ranges with minimal recce allowed—keeping navigation blind.

Persistent rain and thick fog made the stages especially difficult, with many crews struggling with visibility, tire wear, and mechanical attrition in the cold and wet conditions.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Björn Waldegård & Hans Thorszelius · Ford Escort RS1800
2nd Place
Hannu Mikkola & Arne Hertz · Ford Escort RS1800
3rd Place
Ari Vatanen & Peter Bryant · Ford Escort RS1800

Waldegård’s victory marked Ford’s third consecutive RAC win and underscored the Escort RS1800’s supremacy in wet and wooded terrain. It also capped a season where Waldegård claimed wins in Kenya, Greece, and the UK—showcasing his versatility across rally’s most punishing events.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Blind Navigation: With no pace notes, co-drivers relied on maps and memory—testing communication and reaction time.
  • Fog and Rain: Visibility dropped to near zero in some sections, especially in high moorland stages.
  • Night Stages: Mud, fog, and fatigue combined to make the night loops a brutal mental and mechanical test.

The 1977 RAC Rally was a fitting finale to a dramatic season—Waldegård’s mastery of brutal conditions sealed his legacy as one of rallying’s most complete drivers.

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