History 1970s

1978 Rallye de Portugal (Portugal)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 12º Rallye de Portugal

Date: April 19–23, 1978

Host Country: Portugal

Surface: Mixed Tarmac / Gravel

Total Distance: ~2,200 km

Total Starters: Approx. 120 crews

Total Finishers: 38 crews

The 1978 Rallye de Portugal delivered a diverse challenge of weather, terrain, and pace. Combining high-speed gravel tracks with twisty tarmac stages in both urban and rural settings, the event tested every aspect of rally preparation. Markku Alén and Ilkka Kivimäki executed a near-flawless drive in their Fiat 131 Abarth, winning decisively and reinforcing their reputation as a dominant force in the WRC’s mixed-surface events.

Route

Sintra and Arganil: Rugged gravel climbs with flowing corners, sharp drop-offs, and loose surfaces.
Lisbon Urban Stages: High-speed sprints through city streets lined with spectators and narrow barriers.
Fafe Region: Technical tarmac and gravel blends with fast crests and tight chicanes.

The rally spanned from Lisbon to the interior hills of northern and central Portugal, with stages varying from cobbled city roads to rough rural tracks and mountainous terrain.

Changeable April weather brought rain to several legs, turning gravel into slush and reducing grip on tarmac—amplifying the need for tire adaptability and careful pacenote execution.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Markku Alén & Ilkka Kivimäki · Fiat 131 Abarth
2nd Place
Hannu Mikkola & Arne Hertz · Ford Escort RS1800
3rd Place
Jean-Pierre Nicolas & Vincent Laverne · Porsche 911 SC

Alén’s aggressive but composed driving on both surfaces, coupled with the Fiat’s well-balanced chassis, allowed them to pull away from the pack—cementing their dominance in mixed-surface rallying.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Mixed-Surface Strategy: Setup compromise was crucial—teams balanced suspension and tires across gravel and tarmac loops.
  • Unpredictable Weather: Rainstorms impacted grip mid-stage, forcing on-the-fly adjustments and heightened co-driver awareness.
  • Public Road Transits: Crowds and tight city routes added stress to early and final rally legs.

The 1978 Rallye de Portugal was a test of adaptability and finesse—Alén and Kivimäki rose above with smart pace, strategy, and the sheer strength of the Fiat 131 Abarth.

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