History 1980s

1980 Rallye Sanremo (Italy)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1980 Rallye Sanremo

Date: October 6–11, 1980

Host Country: Italy

Surface: Asphalt / Gravel

Total Distance: 800.60 km (competitive)

Total Starters: Approx. 95 crews

Total Finishers: 33 crews

The 1980 Rallye Sanremo continued its tradition of blending tight tarmac roads and dusty Ligurian gravel to create a uniquely Italian challenge. Drivers faced rapid surface transitions, mountainous switchbacks, and long liaison sections through scenic coastal routes. Walter Röhrl, with co-driver Christian Geistdörfer, once again proved why they were championship favorites, controlling the pace from the early stages and maintaining composure through mechanical stress and mixed conditions to win convincingly in the Fiat 131 Abarth.

Route

Monte Bignone & Andagna: Narrow gravel stages through olive groves with shifting lines and loose surfaces.
Colle Langan & Vignai: Technical tarmac mountain stages with sharp hairpins, long straights, and minimal runoff.
Bajardo Region: Gravel-tarmac hybrids with tight turns and constant elevation changes—treacherous in damp weather.

The route snaked inland from the Italian Riviera into the Ligurian and Piedmontese mountains, alternating between coastal asphalt stages and rough inland gravel.

Weather varied from sunny coastal heat to cool, damp mountain conditions, requiring quick tire changes and constant setup adjustments between stage types.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Walter Röhrl & Christian Geistdörfer · Fiat 131 Abarth
2nd Place
Ari Vatanen & David Richards · Ford Escort RS1800
3rd Place
Markku Alén & Ilkka Kivimäki · Fiat 131 Abarth

Röhrl’s ability to maintain consistent pace over all surfaces proved decisive, with Vatanen applying pressure on gravel and Alén keeping close on tarmac—but neither could match Röhrl’s overall balance and precision.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Surface Shifts: Back-to-back gravel and tarmac stages demanded rapid adjustment in driving rhythm and setup.
  • Tire Management: Choosing the right compound for hybrid loops was a constant strategic battle.
  • Mechanical Stress: Suspension and brakes were put to the test by frequent transitions and steep braking zones.

The 1980 Rallye Sanremo was a strategic masterpiece for Röhrl—his poise across all surfaces underlined his championship form and Fiat’s engineering excellence on Italy’s home soil.

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