History 1970s

1979 Danube Rally (Romania)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1979 Danube Rally

Date: August 1979

Host Country: Romania

Surface: Gravel

Total Distance: ~1,200 km

Total Starters: Approx. 60 crews

Total Finishers: N/A

The 1979 Danube Rally, one of Eastern Europe’s most prominent events, provided a high-speed challenge across Romania’s diverse countryside. Combining long straights with twisty forest sections, the rally demanded confidence and technical adaptability. French pairing Jean-Claude Andruet and “Biche” drove with precision and pace, capturing the win in their powerful and nimble Lancia Stratos HF against a field of experienced Eastern Bloc and Western European competitors.

Route

Southern Plains: Flat-out gravel straights with limited braking zones and flowing bends.
Hill Climb Sections: Rocky gradients demanded throttle control and punished suspension setups.
Village Crossings: Narrow lanes with mixed surfaces and hidden junctions added to the challenge.

The route featured stages near the Carpathian foothills and the Danube River basin, blending fast open gravel with narrow village roads and rugged climbs.

Dry summer conditions created dusty roads and loose surfaces throughout the event, favoring aggressive but calculated driving with good tire management.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Jean-Claude Andruet & “Biche” · Lancia Stratos HF
2nd Place
Simo Lampinen & Jaakko Markula · Saab 99 EMS
3rd Place
Constantin Aur & Marin Dumitrescu · Dacia 1300

Andruet’s relentless pace and “Biche’s” precise co-driving helped keep the Lancia ahead despite the fast local competition and changing terrain.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Variable Terrain: Fast transitions from wide gravel to rough hill tracks kept drivers alert.
  • Visibility: Thick dust clouds often lingered over open stages, complicating overtakes and pacenote timing.
  • Mechanical Wear: Repeated rough descents and long straights tested brakes, cooling, and drivetrains.

The 1979 Danube Rally was a triumph of precision and teamwork—Andruet and “Biche’s” performance showcased the Stratos’ agility and their own elite rally instincts on Romania’s unforgiving roads.

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