History 1970s

1978 Critérium du Québec (Canada)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1978 Critérium du Québec

Date: September 13–17, 1978

Host Country: Canada

Surface: Gravel

FIA Cup Status: Round of the 1978 FIA Cup for Drivers

Total Distance: ~1,700 km

Total Starters: Approx. 70 crews

Total Finishers: N/A

The 1978 Critérium du Québec offered a true North American rallying challenge—long, fast gravel roads through dense forests, unpredictable weather, and remote terrain. As part of the FIA Cup for Drivers, the rally drew international stars looking for crucial championship points. Walter Röhrl and Christian Geistdörfer delivered a measured and dominant performance in their Fiat 131 Abarth, handling both the speed and attrition to secure a valuable victory on foreign soil.

Route

Saint-Michel-des-Saints: Fast, wide gravel roads with sweeping bends and loose stone surfacing.
La Tuque Forest Zones: Narrower, more technical forest routes with frequent water splashes and hidden rocks.
Night Stages: Extended after-dark sections increased difficulty with wildlife risks and dense fog.

The rally was based in Québec province and included stages deep in the Laurentian and Mauricie forests, with remote loops and long liaison sections through rugged Canadian wilderness.

Weather varied from crisp, dry air to sudden rain and fog—conditions that made tire strategy and lighting setups critical to success across the multi-day rally.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Walter Röhrl & Christian Geistdörfer · Fiat 131 Abarth
2nd Place
John Buffum & Doug Shepherd · Triumph TR7 V8
3rd Place
Jean-Paul Perusse & Roger Labrecque · Datsun 710

Röhrl’s calm, calculated style allowed him to manage the rapid changes in surface and visibility, while Geistdörfer’s precise pacenotes ensured maximum efficiency through Québec’s dense forests.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Remote Stages: Mechanical issues often meant retirement due to lack of support in deep forest zones.
  • Fog and Wildlife: Deer and moose sightings combined with poor visibility added to the risk of high-speed night stages.
  • Variable Grip: Dust in dry sections and slick mud in rain created sudden changes in control from stage to stage.

The 1978 Critérium du Québec was a key moment in Röhrl’s international rise—proving he could master any terrain and helping solidify his FIA Cup campaign with a win far from European roads.

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