History 1970s

1979 Rallye de Portugal Vinho do Porto (Portugal)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 13º Rallye de Portugal Vinho do Porto

Date: March 6–11, 1979

Host Country: Portugal

Surface: Mixed Tarmac / Gravel

Total Distance: ~2,100 km

Total Starters: Approx. 120 crews

Total Finishers: N/A

The 1979 Rallye de Portugal lived up to its reputation as one of the most grueling and diverse events on the WRC calendar. With a combination of high-speed gravel, rough mountainous terrain, and twisty tarmac sections, it demanded mechanical durability and driver adaptability. Hannu Mikkola and Arne Hertz delivered a flawless drive in their Ford Escort RS1800, taking full advantage of their experience to outlast and outpace the field.

Route

Sintra & Arganil: Legendary gravel stages with deep ruts and hanging dust made visibility and traction critical.
Porto Region: Rough mountain sections and fast valleys pushed cars to their limits.
Asphalt Loops: Sudden transitions between tarmac and gravel challenged suspension and tire strategies.

The rally began in Estoril and ventured through central and northern Portugal, including the rugged Serra da Estrela and the dusty backroads of the Douro Valley wine region.

Weather ranged from dry and dusty in the interior to cool and damp near the coast, forcing teams to adapt setups multiple times across the event.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Hannu Mikkola & Arne Hertz · Ford Escort RS1800
2nd Place
Markku Alén & Ilkka Kivimäki · Fiat 131 Abarth
3rd Place
Ari Vatanen & Peter Bryant · Ford Escort RS1800

Mikkola’s consistency and Hertz’s reliable co-driving allowed them to pull ahead in treacherous conditions, while rivals faltered under mechanical strain and stage attrition.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Changing Surfaces: Stages transitioned between gravel and tarmac with little warning, demanding careful tire choices and driving style shifts.
  • Dust & Visibility: Thick dust hung in valleys, reducing vision to just a few meters in some key competitive sections.
  • Road Erosion: Rain prior to the event left many gravel tracks deeply rutted and hazardous to suspension components.

The 1979 Rallye de Portugal was a brutal test of endurance and focus—Mikkola’s win confirmed his place among rallying’s elite and strengthened Ford’s foothold in the WRC championship.

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