History 1970s

1979 Codasur Rally (Argentina)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1979 Codasur Rally (Rally Argentina)

Date: July 19–26, 1979

Host Country: Argentina

Surface: Gravel

Total Distance: ~3,000 km

Total Starters: Approx. 80 crews

Total Finishers: N/A

Though officially part of the 1980 WRC season, the 1979 Codasur Rally marked a key milestone in rally history as Argentina made its debut on the world stage. With vast distances, high-speed gravel roads, and mountainous terrain, the event previewed the fierce nature of South American rallying. Walter Röhrl and Christian Geistdörfer adapted quickly, guiding their Fiat 131 Abarth to a historic win and setting the tone for future WRC competition in the region.

Route

Villa Carlos Paz Loops: Fast gravel with sweeping turns and long straights across the countryside.
Traslasierra Range: Narrow mountain passes with switchbacks, drop-offs, and changing elevations.
Chaco and Santa Fe Sections: Rougher, flatter terrain with loose surfaces and deep dust trails.

Centered around Córdoba, the route included a mix of open plains, rough Pampas trails, and winding mountain stages through the Sierras de Córdoba region.

Dry mid-winter weather dominated the rally, creating high dust levels and warm daytime temperatures, but clear conditions helped ensure fast-paced competition across most stages.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Walter Röhrl & Christian Geistdörfer · Fiat 131 Abarth
2nd Place
Jorge Recalde & Rodolfo 'Cacho' Ambrosio · Fiat 131 Abarth
3rd Place
Ricardo Zunino & Juan Carlos Iglesias · Renault 18 GTX

Röhrl’s disciplined pace and Geistdörfer’s calm control through long stages brought the European team ahead of strong local talent, including Argentine ace Jorge Recalde.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Distance & Fatigue: Long, remote stages required careful energy management and flawless navigation over hundreds of kilometers per day.
  • Dust Clouds: Dry winter roads left a trail of hanging dust, compromising visibility and requiring larger starting gaps.
  • Mechanical Endurance: Rock-strewn tracks and inconsistent surfaces demanded constant attention to tire and suspension wear.

The 1979 Codasur Rally proved South America’s capacity to host world-class rallying—Röhrl’s win paved the way for Argentina’s permanent role in the WRC calendar starting in 1980.

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