History 1970s

1978 Arctic Rally (Finland)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1978 Arctic Rally

Date: February 3–5, 1978

Host Country: Finland

Surface: Snow / Ice

Total Distance: ~1,000 km

Total Starters: Approx. 80 crews

Total Finishers: N/A

The 1978 Arctic Rally, held in the heart of Finnish Lapland, delivered a true snow racing spectacle. Arctic temperatures, towering snowbanks, and glassy ice made every corner a challenge. Local hero Ari Vatanen, paired with co-driver Peter Bryant, used his deep familiarity with the terrain and fearless driving style to secure a commanding victory in the Ford Escort RS1800.

Route

Rovaniemi Loops: Long sweeping stages with deep snowbanks and icy crests.
Lake Crossings: Wide-open frozen expanses requiring confidence and throttle balance.
Night Stages: Bitter cold, limited visibility, and fast descents tested concentration and lighting setups.

Based around Rovaniemi, the route wound through remote snow-covered forests and frozen lakes, demanding absolute control and high-speed commitment in slippery conditions.

Temperatures dropped below -20°C, freezing the surface into fast, compact snow and allowing for optimal studded tire performance across the rally.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Ari Vatanen & Peter Bryant · Ford Escort RS1800
2nd Place
Timo Salonen & Seppo Harjanne · Datsun 160J
3rd Place
Pentti Airikkala & Risto Virtanen · Opel Ascona

Vatanen’s aggressive style and masterful car control helped him stay ahead of a strong Finnish field—marking one of his most celebrated early wins on home snow.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Snowbank Risks: Drivers leaned into snowbanks to aid cornering—but too much would suck cars off line or trap them.
  • Cold Endurance: Extreme temperatures tested both machinery and crews for sustained periods.
  • Pacenote Timing: Flat-out driving over crests demanded precise calls and complete trust between crew members.

The 1978 Arctic Rally saw a textbook performance by Ari Vatanen—one that combined fearlessness with finesse on Finland’s most demanding winter stages.

← Previous Event 1978 Rallye Monte-Carlo (Monaco/France)
Back to Events Index
1978 Rallye Sweden (Sweden) 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.