History 1970s

1979 Critérium Molson du Québec (Canada)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1979 Critérium Molson du Québec

Date: September 13–16, 1979

Host Country: Canada

Surface: Mixed Gravel / Tarmac

Total Distance: ~1,250 km

Total Starters: Approx. 60 crews

Total Finishers: N/A

The 1979 Critérium Molson du Québec delivered a demanding test of car control and endurance across Canada’s varied terrain. With rapid surface transitions, changing elevations, and early autumn weather, the event rewarded versatility and consistency. Björn Waldegård and Hans Thorszelius delivered a composed and fast performance in their Ford Escort RS1800, maintaining pace across gravel forests and twisting paved roads to secure a key win in their championship campaign.

Route

Laurentian Loops: Fast gravel with elevation changes and soft shoulders.
Mont-Tremblant Area: Tarmac hill sections with technical braking zones and tight bends.
Mixed-Use Trails: Logging roads and unsealed tracks required adaptive driving across sudden transitions.

Based in Quebec, the rally included stages through the Laurentian Mountains, dense pine forests, and rural road networks near Montreal and Trois-Rivières.

Cool, crisp weather created mostly dry conditions, though intermittent rain and falling leaves added variability to stage grip and visibility.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Björn Waldegård & Hans Thorszelius · Ford Escort RS1800
2nd Place
Jean-Paul Perusse & Yvon Dufour · Datsun 710
3rd Place
John Buffum & Doug Shepherd · Audi 80 GLE

Waldegård’s pace and precision were unmatched, with Thorszelius providing faultless navigation through a complex set of stages spread across multiple surface types.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Mixed Surfaces: Abrupt transitions from gravel to tarmac required flexible driving and careful brake management.
  • Changing Elevations: Forest stages climbed and dropped quickly, stressing engines and brakes alike.
  • Autumn Debris: Wet leaves and mud on paved roads introduced unpredictable grip loss in fast corners.

The 1979 Critérium Molson du Québec was a decisive victory for Waldegård—his balance of speed and control on Canada’s diverse roads reinforced his world-class versatility.

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