History Event 1990s

1993 Rally Argentina (Argentina)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1993 Rally Argentina (Argentina)

Date: July 14–17, 1993

Start Location: Córdoba, Argentina

Finish Location: Córdoba, Argentina

Total Distance: 633.00 km of special stages

Surface: Gravel

The 1993 Rally Argentina delivered the traditional blend of fast gravel, water crossings, and high-altitude tests through the Sierras de Córdoba. In a surprise result, Gustavo Trelles of Uruguay, driving the seasoned Lancia Delta HF Integrale, took overall victory, becoming one of the few South American drivers to win a WRC event. Paired with Jorge del Buono, Trelles executed a steady and resilient drive, avoiding the pitfalls that took down quicker rivals and leveraging the Integrale’s reliability across four demanding days.

Route

Traslasierra Valley: Loose gravel and deep ruts tested tire wear and car stability at high speeds.
Pampa de Achala: High-altitude roads with thin air, fog, and technical sequences requiring perfect pace notes.
Río Los Reartes: Multiple water crossings and rocky splash zones punished suspension setups and wheel alignment.

The route challenged drivers with a mix of wide, fast roads and twisty, rock-lined mountain passes:

Cool, dry weather helped reduce mechanical failures, but the rough road conditions still took a toll on many leading entries. Trelles’ smooth, error-free pace stood out in contrast.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Gustavo Trelles & Jorge del Buono · Lancia Delta HF Integrale
2nd Place
Jorge Recalde & Martin Christie · Ford Escort RS Cosworth
3rd Place
Armin Schwarz & Nicky Grist · Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD

Trelles’ win marked a rare South American triumph on home soil, his pace may not have been the fastest, but his strategy and composure delivered a famous victory.

Car Highlights

  • Lancia Delta HF Integrale: Aging but still resilient, its robust build and proven suspension helped it survive rough stages where newer cars faltered.
  • Ford Escort RS Cosworth: Quick and nimble, Recalde drove with passion, nearly matching Trelles but lost ground in rockier sections.
  • Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD: Powerful and smooth, Schwarz stayed in contention but couldn’t maintain top speed through technical stretches.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Altitude Effects: Engine power loss and reduced braking performance at high elevation challenged even the best-prepped cars.
  • River Crossings: Timing through water stages was critical, drivers risked damage or drowning engines without care.
  • Road Degradation: Repeated passes through stages left deep ruts and exposed rocks, car preservation became the key to success.

The 1993 Rally Argentina proved that consistency can beat raw speed, Gustavo Trelles delivered a tactically brilliant win that remains one of South America’s proudest WRC moments.

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