History 1970s

1978 Lombard RAC Rally (United Kingdom)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 27th Lombard RAC Rally

Date: November 19–23, 1978

Host Country: United Kingdom

Surface: Gravel

Total Distance: ~2,500 km

Total Starters: Over 160 crews

Total Finishers: 74 crews

The 1978 RAC Rally offered the quintessential British gravel challenge—slick forest stages, fog, mud, and mechanical attrition. With over 70 timed stages across England, Wales, and Scotland, it demanded endurance, sharp reflexes, and reliability. Hannu Mikkola and Arne Hertz delivered a dominant drive in their Ford Escort RS1800, combining speed and steadiness to take a convincing victory in one of rallying’s most prestigious events.

Route

Kielder Forest: Long, fast straights with hidden ruts and frequent fog.
Hafren & Myherin: Narrow Welsh roads with deep mud and slick descents.
Grizedale: Tight and twisty with unpredictable grip and minimal runoff.

The route began in Bath and included legendary forests like Kielder, Hafren, Dalby, and Grizedale, offering a mix of tight technical sections and high-speed gravel blasts through tree-lined roads.

Rain and fog were constant factors throughout the event, with stages frequently run in darkness—making light pods, tire strategy, and pace note rhythm absolutely crucial.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Hannu Mikkola & Arne Hertz · Ford Escort RS1800
2nd Place
Russell Brookes & Mike Broad · Ford Escort RS1800
3rd Place
Ari Vatanen & Peter Bryant · Ford Escort RS1800

Ford dominated the event, with the Escort RS1800 sweeping the podium. Mikkola’s control and Hertz’s expert pacenotes gave the pairing a critical advantage across the misty, unpredictable forests of the UK.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Fog and Rain: Dense conditions limited visibility and slowed progress on many key stages.
  • Long Schedule: The five-day format and hundreds of kilometers of timed running tested team logistics and driver endurance.
  • Slippery Surfaces: Constant mud and wet leaves made grip levels extremely variable and corner speeds unpredictable.

The 1978 Lombard RAC Rally was a battle of survival and speed—Mikkola’s win solidified his reputation as a master of gravel and a force across the WRC calendar.

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