History 1980s

1982 Tour de Corse – Rallye de France (France)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1982 Tour de Corse – Rallye de France

Date: May 6–8, 1982

Host Country: France (Corsica)

Surface: Asphalt

Total Distance: 1,176.10 km (competitive)

Total Starters: Approx. 90 crews

Total Finishers: 33 crews

The 1982 Tour de Corse lived up to its fearsome reputation as one of the most technical and physically demanding rallies in the world. Set on the narrow mountain roads of Corsica, the rally tested tire wear, brake control, and mental focus. French ace Jean Ragnotti, partnered with Jean-Marc Andrié, conquered the ‘Rally of 10,000 Corners’ in spectacular style, delivering Renault and the mid-engine 5 Turbo a memorable and emphatic win on home soil.

Route

Bastia Region: Coastal roads with dramatic elevation changes and minimal run-off—pure commitment required.

Ajaccio Mountains: Hairpins and linked corners rewarded those with rhythm and perfect note calling.

Night Stages: Combined exhaustion with blinding switchbacks and limited lighting—navigation had to be flawless.

Held entirely on the island of Corsica, the rally featured stage after stage of tight, technical tarmac roads carved into cliffsides and perched above the Mediterranean Sea.

Rain hit several stages mid-event, turning previously grippy asphalt into a treacherous mixture of pine needles and slippery runoff, adding another layer of tension for the leaders.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner

Jean Ragnotti & Jean-Marc Andrié · Renault 5 Turbo

2nd Place

Michèle Mouton & Fabrizia Pons · Audi Quattro

3rd Place

Henri Toivonen & Fred Gallagher · Opel Ascona 400

Ragnotti’s flat-out tarmac pace was untouchable, using the 5 Turbo’s mid-engine balance to perfection. Mouton pushed hard with the Audi’s power advantage, but the car’s weight and size made it less suited to Corsica’s tight lanes. Toivonen secured third with a steady, calculated run in the RWD Ascona.

Navigation & Challenges

Relentless Corners: With no straights longer than a few hundred meters, driver fatigue and co-driver rhythm were crucial.
Brake Fade: Long descents punished brakes—drivers had to preserve stopping power for critical hairpins.
Rain and Road Surface: Inconsistent grip made corner entry dangerous—adjusting lines and throttle mid-stage was constant.

The 1982 Tour de Corse showcased Jean Ragnotti’s unmatched mastery of tarmac, proving that raw skill and precision could still outclass technological advantage on the twisting cliffs of Corsica.

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