History 1980s

1986 Tour de Corse – Rallye de France (Corsica)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1986 Tour de Corse – Rallye de France (Corsica)

Date: May 2–4, 1986

Start Location: Ajaccio, Corsica

Finish Location: Rally not officially completed

Total Distance: 1,096 km of special stages

Surface: Asphalt

The 1986 Tour de Corse will forever be remembered for the devastating loss of Henri Toivonen and co-driver Sergio Cresto, who crashed fatally on Stage 18 while leading the rally. Their Lancia Delta S4 plunged off a cliff and exploded upon impact, leaving no chance of survival. The accident sent shockwaves through the motorsport world and immediately triggered the FIA’s decision to cancel Group B for the 1987 season. No official winner was declared.

Route

Zérubia–Palneca: The fatal crash occurred here—a high-speed stage bordered by steep ravines and stone walls.
Pont de Vivario and Bocognano Loops: Technical stretches with no runoff, demanding perfect car placement and pacing.
Sartène–Piana: Fast and flowing but lined with danger at every bend.

Known as the “Rally of 10,000 Corners,” Corsica’s narrow tarmac stages offered zero margin for error:

While the roads were dry and conditions optimal, the combined power and fragility of Group B machines turned every misstep into a potential disaster.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
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2nd Place
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3rd Place
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Navigation & Challenges

  • Zero Margin Asphalt: Corsica’s roads left no room for driver error—every misjudged line risked catastrophe.
  • Vehicle Complexity: Group B machines pushed limits of power and control, outpacing available safety standards.
  • Mental Pressure: The psychological toll of leading at such speeds through danger zones made every moment high-risk.

The 1986 Tour de Corse was the tipping point for Group B. Henri Toivonen’s death was more than a tragedy—it was a wake-up call that the spectacle had gone too far. His legacy remains as one of rally’s brightest talents, lost at the height of his powers.

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