History 1980s

1986 Rallye Monte-Carlo (Monaco)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1986 Rallye Monte-Carlo (Monaco)

Date: January 18–24, 1986

Start Location: Various European cities

Finish Location: Monte Carlo, Monaco

Total Distance: 792 km of special stages

Surface: Asphalt and snow

The 1986 Monte Carlo Rally opened the season with a stunning performance from Henri Toivonen, who overcame illness and extreme winter conditions to secure a memorable win in the mighty Lancia Delta S4. The event was marked by unpredictability—dry asphalt turned to black ice, and snowy cols tested every aspect of car control, strategy, and survival. It was Toivonen’s final Monte Carlo win, and a powerful reminder of his immense talent.

Route

Col de Turini: Narrow switchbacks with mixed surface grip and massive elevation swings.
Col de Braus: Twisting, icy tarmac through the French Alps requiring ultimate tire choice precision.
Sisteron–Thoard: Long and treacherous with rapidly changing weather and dangerous black ice.

As usual, Monte Carlo featured multiple start locations and a convergence in the Alps for iconic stages:

Tire gambles often determined stage outcomes, and the rally’s concentration run created further attrition before the main Alpine loop even began.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Henri Toivonen & Sergio Cresto · Lancia Delta S4
2nd Place
Timo Salonen & Seppo Harjanne · Peugeot 205 T16 E2
3rd Place
Walter Röhrl & Christian Geistdörfer · Audi Quattro Sport E2

Toivonen’s performance stunned fans and rivals alike—his raw pace, despite battling illness, proved the Delta S4’s potential and cemented his status as a favorite for the 1986 crown.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Unpredictable Weather: Sunlit tarmac could turn into icy deathtraps within minutes on high-elevation stages.
  • Tire Strategy: Drivers had to anticipate snow, ice, or dry patches with limited real-time data.
  • Driver Endurance: Henri Toivonen’s win came while managing flu-like symptoms and fatigue, adding to the legend of his performance.

The 1986 Monte Carlo Rally was both a triumph and a warning—Group B had reached its technical peak, but the pace and risk were rising with it. Toivonen’s win was one of the greatest Monte Carlo drives in rally history.

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