History 1970s

1979 Tour de Corse (France)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 23ème Tour de Corse

Date: November 2–4, 1979

Host Country: France

Surface: Asphalt

Total Distance: ~1,100 km

Total Starters: Approx. 80 crews

Total Finishers: 30 crews

Known as the “Rally of 10,000 Corners,” the 1979 Tour de Corse once again proved to be a brutal test of endurance and concentration. With its narrow mountain roads and relentless curves across the Corsican island, the rally pushed drivers to the limit. Bernard Darniche, a Corsican asphalt specialist, paired with Alain Mahé to pilot their Lancia Stratos HF to a dominant victory, demonstrating smooth car control and precise pace all weekend long.

Route

Ajaccio Loops: Technical, twisty tarmac with steep drop-offs and constant direction changes.
Corte & Bastia Regions: Tight uphill hairpins and rapid descents that punished over-braking and understeering.
Balagne Coast: Fast, scenic stretches punctuated by rough patches and narrow urban sections.

Stages wound through the mountainous interior of Corsica, connecting coastal villages and hilltop passes with little room for error and minimal guardrails.

The weather remained clear and dry throughout the event, offering ideal conditions but exposing drivers to full-speed consequences for the slightest mistake.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Bernard Darniche & Alain Mahé · Lancia Stratos HF
2nd Place
Guy Fréquelin & Jean Todt · Talbot Sunbeam Lotus
3rd Place
Jean Ragnotti & Jean-Marc Andrié · Renault 5 Alpine

Darniche’s win on home territory was commanding—his smooth rhythm and absolute trust in Mahé’s notes allowed them to stay ahead of newer machinery on the unforgiving Corsican roads.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Endless Corners: Drivers were in constant motion—fatigue and concentration lapses were common by the final day.
  • Minimal Margins: Little to no runoff or recovery space meant precision was critical to avoid disaster.
  • Mechanical Load: Brakes, tires, and gearboxes were pushed to their limits by the terrain’s continuous elevation changes.

The 1979 Tour de Corse was a vintage performance from Bernard Darniche and a triumphant send-off for the Lancia Stratos HF on one of the world’s most demanding tarmac rallies.

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