History 1980s

1989 Rallye Sanremo (Italy)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1989 Rallye Sanremo (Italy)

Date: October 2–6, 1989

Start Location: Sanremo, Italy

Finish Location: Sanremo, Italy

Total Distance: ~340 km of special stages

Surface: Asphalt

The 1989 Sanremo Rally showcased Didier Auriol’s exceptional skill on asphalt as he tamed Italy’s technical mountain roads with unwavering confidence. With a blend of narrow hill climbs, coastal drops, and unforgiving switchbacks, Sanremo demanded absolute control. Auriol’s victory in the Lancia Delta Integrale solidified his position as one of the tarmac greats, especially on home soil where precision and rhythm were everything.

Route

Colle Langan: Fast, flowing descent with mixed grip and sheer cliffside exposure.
Andagna–Bajardo: Narrow and technical—rhythm was everything through the switchbacks.
Monte Ceppo: Demanding uphill drive with braking zones requiring pinpoint tire placement and balance.

Italy’s Ligurian terrain challenged drivers with high-speed downhill stretches and ultra-tight mountain ascents:

Dry weather ensured consistent grip, but tire strategy and setup still played a crucial role as stage lengths varied in complexity and elevation.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Didier Auriol & Bernard Occelli · Lancia Delta Integrale
2nd Place
Miki Biasion & Tiziano Siviero · Lancia Delta Integrale
3rd Place
Carlos Sainz & Luis Moya · Toyota Celica GT-Four

Auriol’s smooth and calculated drive gave Lancia another home victory and further strengthened his reputation as a lethal tarmac specialist.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Tight Corners: Drivers had little room for error—overbraking or understeering meant immediate time loss or retirement.
  • Grip Consistency: Elevation and shaded areas created inconsistent traction—even in dry conditions.
  • Local Pressure: Auriol drove with intense national expectations, but kept composed under all conditions.

The 1989 Rallye Sanremo was a shining example of Didier Auriol’s finesse—his clean, composed, and blisteringly quick run earned him a deserved win on Italy’s most iconic tarmac rally.

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