History 1980s

1987 Rallye Sanremo (Italy)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1987 Rallye Sanremo (Italy)

Date: October 18–22, 1987

Start Location: Sanremo, Italy

Finish Location: Sanremo, Italy

Total Distance: 391 km of special stages

Surface: Mixed (gravel and asphalt)

The 1987 Rallye Sanremo was meant to be a pivotal moment for rising French talent Didier Auriol, who claimed an emotional first victory in the Ford Sierra XR4x4. The rally’s technical stages transitioned from rough gravel to coastal asphalt, making setup and tire choice critical. However, despite the competitive spectacle, the event was later annulled by the FIA due to procedural violations in technical inspection, rendering all results unofficial and excluding it from the championship calendar.

Route

Andagna–Bajardo: A twisty gravel loop through steep hillside roads with rough surface conditions.
Colle Langan: Fast tarmac section requiring early braking discipline and tire management.
Monte Ceppo: Classic mixed-surface challenge that required precise transitions and adaptable setups.

Sanremo’s varied terrain combined fast gravel sectors with tight tarmac switchbacks in the Ligurian hills:

Weather remained dry but cool, which helped teams optimize setups across both surfaces—but uncertainty over post-event results ultimately overshadowed the rally’s technical accomplishments.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
—
2nd Place
Miki Biasion & Tiziano Siviero · Lancia Delta HF 4WD
3rd Place
Fabrizio Tabaton & Luciano Tedeschini · Lancia Delta HF 4WD

Event excluded from WRC standings. Results declared unofficial by FIA.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Surface Transitions: Crews had to constantly adapt from gravel to tarmac—incorrect setup timing could cost crucial seconds.
  • Technical Scrutiny: FIA later ruled procedural violations in scrutineering invalidated the event’s official status.
  • Morale Impact: Teams and drivers were left frustrated by the lack of clarity and post-event politics overshadowing performances.

Despite being excluded from the WRC, the 1987 Sanremo Rally marked a turning point in Didier Auriol’s career and remains a notable—if unofficial—moment in rally history.

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