History 1990s

1997 Rally Indonesia (Indonesia)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1997 Rally Indonesia (Indonesia)

Date: September 19–21, 1997

Start Location: Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia

Finish Location: Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia

Total Distance: 251.00 km of special stages

Surface: Gravel

The 1997 Rally Indonesia offered a tropical test of skill and survival through the jungles of Sumatra. Tight roads, dense foliage, and extreme humidity created a challenging environment for crews and machines alike. Carlos Sainz stayed calm under pressure, using his experience to stay mistake-free and capitalize on others' errors. His precise and composed drive earned him his second victory of the season in the Ford Escort WRC.

Route

Bahorok: A high-risk stage lined with palm forests and steep ditches, where traction changed by the meter.
Bukit Lawang: A winding mountain route with river crossings and exposed rocky outcrops.
Medan Outskirts: Fast-flowing gravel trails with sudden transitions from firm dirt to muddy clay.

The route featured narrow jungle trails, slippery gravel, and tropical conditions, with notable stages including:

Monsoon conditions before and during the rally added unpredictability, turning parts of the course into mud traps while others remained bone dry and dusty.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Carlos Sainz & Luis Moya · Ford Escort WRC
2nd Place
Juha Kankkunen & Juha Repo · Ford Escort WRC
3rd Place
Armin Schwarz & Manfred Hiemer · Toyota Corolla WRC

Sainz’s consistency and risk management through the difficult terrain helped Ford secure a 1–2 finish, tightening the championship battle in the latter half of the season.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Tropical Climate: Extreme humidity and intermittent rain made visibility, grip, and mechanical reliability difficult to manage.
  • Narrow Tracks: The tight, overgrown stages punished even minor mistakes and left no room for recovery after an off.
  • Variable Surface Conditions: Drivers had to quickly adapt between fast gravel, slick mud, and riverbeds — often within the same stage.

The 1997 Rally Indonesia was a true test of adaptability and control. Carlos Sainz’s methodical approach proved ideal in the unpredictable tropical conditions, delivering a hard-earned and important win.

← Previous Event 1997 Rally Finland – 1000 Lakes (Finland)
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