History 1990s

1990 Rallye Sanremo – Rallye d’Italia (Italy)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1990 Rallye Sanremo – Rallye d’Italia (Italy)

Date: October 14–18, 1990

Start Location: Sanremo, Italy

Finish Location: Sanremo, Italy

Total Distance: 501.00 km of special stages

Surface: Mixed asphalt and gravel

The 1990 Sanremo Rally returned to its classic mixed-surface format, challenging drivers to adapt between fast Italian tarmac and slippery gravel in the Ligurian hills. Didier Auriol delivered a clinical performance in the Lancia Delta Integrale 16V, showcasing versatility and tire strategy mastery. His win on home soil was a significant morale boost for Lancia, who remained under heavy pressure from the emerging Toyota threat.

Route

Monte Ceppo: Fast downhill tarmac with exposed cliffside edges—precision was essential.
Bajardo Loop: A mix of loose gravel and broken asphalt—challenging suspension and tire wear.
Andagna–Montalto: One of the rally’s most technical stretches, requiring constant surface adaptation and pace note discipline.

Sanremo’s stages were notorious for quick transitions between surface types, elevation changes, and narrow mountain passes:

Dry conditions helped preserve consistency, but rapid elevation shifts still created unpredictable grip zones across the multi-day event.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Didier Auriol & Bernard Occelli · Lancia Delta Integrale 16V
2nd Place
Carlos Sainz & Luis Moya · Toyota Celica GT-Four ST165
3rd Place
Juha Kankkunen & Juha Piironen · Toyota Celica GT-Four ST165

Auriol’s triumph further cemented his status as one of the most adaptable drivers of the era—delivering the goods for Lancia on both surfaces with unwavering composure.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Surface Transitions: Switching from gravel to tarmac mid-stage tested tire choices and driving technique.
  • Corner Visibility: Tight switchbacks and shadowed valleys required perfect pacenote execution.
  • Fan Density: Massive roadside support for Lancia added pressure, but Auriol handled it with calm authority.

The 1990 Sanremo Rally was a showcase of versatility, control, and style—Auriol delivered Lancia a crucial win with textbook rally craft across Italy’s changing roads.

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