The 1978 Tour de Corse (also known as the 22º Tour de Corse - Rallye de France) was the 10th round of the sixth World Rally Championship season, and the 18th in the Cup for Rally Drivers. It took place on November 4 and 5 in the County of Corsica in France, and the rally was run primarily on the road. Bernard Darniche repeated his 1977 win with co-driver Alain Mahé, again driving a Fiat 131 Abarth - as did second-place finisher Jean-Claude Andruet and third-placed Sandro Munari.[1]

1978 Tour de Corse
22º Tour de Corse - Rallye de France
Round 10 of the 1978 World Rally Championship season
← Previous eventNext event →
Host countryFrance
Rally baseAjaccio, Corsica, France
Dates run4 November 1978 – 5 November 1978
Stages10 (543.10 km; 337.47 miles)
Stage surfaceTarmac
Transport distance616.9 km (383.3 miles)
Overall distance1,160 km (720 miles)
Statistics
Crews116 at start, 37 at finish
Overall results
Overall winnerFrance Bernard Darniche
France Alain Mahé
Italy Fiat-Alitalia
Fiat 131 Abarth
6:47:34

Report edit

In 1978, the Tour de Corse in Corsica was the penultimate race of the World Rally Championship. The race was held across ten stages, with Jean-Claude Andruet winning four of them. Andruet led the rally until the ninth stage. As usual, most of the top finishers (9 out of the top 10) were from France. Triumph had mounted a significant effort this year, with two TR7 V8s driven by Tony Pond and Jean-Luc Thérier, but both had to retire before the first two special stages were over after the transmission oil plugs fell out of both the cars.[2]

Aside from four Fiat 131 Abarth in the top five, three Porsche 911, two Opel Kadett GT/E, and one Alpine A110 finished in the points.[1]

Results edit

1978 Tour de Corse results
Finish Total
time
Group Car # Driver
Co-driver
Car Mfr.points
Overall In
group
1 1 6 h : 47 m : 34 s 4 1   Bernard Darniche
  Alain Mahé
  Fiat 131 Abarth 18
2 2 6 h : 51 m : 59 s 4 3   Jean-Claude Andruet
  "Biche"
  Fiat 131 Abarth
3 3 6 h : 52 m : 59 s 4 5   Sandro Munari
  Mario Mannucci [it]
  Fiat 131 Abarth
4 4 6 h : 57 m : 44 s 4 9   Jacques Alméras
  Jean-Claude Perramond
  Porsche 911 12
5 5 6 h : 58 m : 12 s 4 10   Michèle Mouton
  Françoise Conconi
  Fiat 131 Abarth
6 1 7 h : 05 m : 11 s 3 29   Pierre-Louis Moreau
  Patrice Baron
  Porsche 911
7 1 7 h : 06 m : 09 s 2 6   Jean-Pierre Nicolas
  Vincent Laverne
  Opel Kadett GT/E 12
8 2 7 h : 17 m : 55 s 3 27   Daniel Rognoni
  Gilbert Dini
  Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7
9 6 7 h : 19 m : 19 s 4 21

  Claude Balesi
  Jean-Paul Cirindini

  Alpine-Renault A110 1800 5
10 1 7 h : 31 m : 03 s 1 89

  Christian Dorche
  Jean-François Fauchille

  Opel Kadett GT/E

11 2 7 h : 32 m : 11 s 1 91

  Bernard Picone
  Robert Cianelli

  Opel Kadett GT/E

12 3 7 h : 32 m : 13 s 3 24

  Robert Simonetti
  Jean-Michel Simonetti

  Alpine-Renault A110 1800

13 2 7 h : 36 m : 10 s 2 41

  Jean-Marie Jacquemin
  Dorothée Jacquemin-Lebeau

  Chrysler Sunbeam

14 3 7 h : 39 m : 58 s 2 77

  Daniel Canarelli
  Gilbert Giraud

  Opel Kadett GT/E

15 7 7 h : 44 m : 53 s 4 19

  Jean-Marie Soriano
  G. Morelli

  Alpine-Renault A110 1600

16 4 7 h : 54 m : 47 s 2 38

  Auguste Turiani (Tchine)
  Denise Emanuelli

  Opel Kadett GT/E

17 5 8 h : 02 m : 35 s 2 49

  Alain Coppier
  Robert Jocteur-Monrozier

  Peugeot 104 ZS

18 3 8 h : 05 m : 08 s 1 107

  Ange-Paul Franceschi
  Daniel Chiesa

  Opel Kadett GT/E

19 4 8 h : 08 m : 47 s 1 97

  Martine Cordesse
  Nicole Garçon

  Opel Kadett GT/E

20 6 8 h : 15 m : 58 s 2 61

  Gilbert Casanova
  Jean-Yves Arrii

  Simca Rallye 2

21 7 8 h : 23 m : 17 s 2 47

  Georges Fantino
  Auguste Giuge

  Opel Kadett GT/E

22 5 8 h : 28 m : 53 s 1 94

  Vincent Sanna
  Gilbert Luigi

  Opel Kadett GT/E

23 6 8 h : 31 m : 45 s 1 101

  Richard Thomas (rally driver)
  Jean-Claude Bonnard

  Opel Kadett GT/E

24 7 8 h : 33 m : 03 s 1 114

  François Baldacci
  Joseph Cristiani

  Opel Kadett GT/E

25 8 8 h : 34 m : 10 s 1 117

  Jean-Pierre Deriu
  "Chasty"

  Simca Rallye 3

26 9 8 h : 35 m : 05 s 1 111

  F. Bartoli
  J-L. Colonna

  Opel Kadett GT/E

27 4 8 h : 35 m : 08 s 3 35   Pierre Gusciani
  R. Pradier
  Alpine-Renault A110 1600
28 10 8 h : 38 m : 48 s 1 103   Mathieu Martinetti
  Frédéric Coubard
  Autobianchi A112 Abarth
29 8 8 h : 45 m : 57 s 2 44   Jean-Charles Silvani
  Tanaka(Driver)
  Renault 5 Alpine
30 9 8 h : 46 m : 36 s 2 70   Guillaume Sanson
  Jean-Pierre Demaille
  Peugeot 504
31 11 8 h : 49 m : 55 s 1 105   X. Bartoli
  Mme. L. Bartoli
  Opel Kadett GT/E
32 12 8 h : 57 m : 27 s 1 106   Jean-Baptiste Bastelica
  Pierre Colombiani
  Volkswagen Golf GTi
33 5 8 h : 59 m : 29 s 3 34   Izé De Castelli
  J-C. Guilbert-Moine
  Porsche 911 SC
34 10 9 h : 14 m : 10 s 2 71

  Jean-Charles Bassoul
  François Bassoul

  Renault 5 Alpine
35 13 9 h : 18 m : 24 s 1 121

  B. Pasqualini
  P. Massiani

  Peugeot 104

36 11 9 h : 20 m : 02 s 2 57

  M. Bussotti (Benny)
  M. d'Apolo

  Opel Kadett GT/E

37 12 9 h : 34 m : 34 s 2 84

  L. Tomasi
  M. Giudicelli

  Simca Rallye 2

SS1 Retired (clutch) 4 2   Tony Pond
  Fred Gallagher
  Triumph TR7 V8
SS5 Retired (differential) 4 4   Jean-Pierre Manzagol
  Jean-François Philippi
  Alpine-Renault A110 1800
SS2 Retired (gearbox) 4 7   Jean-Luc Thérier
  Michel Vial
  Triumph TR7 V8
SS1 Retired (engine) 4 8   Francis Serpaggi
  Dominique Subrini
  Lancia Stratos HF
SS2 Retired (accident) 4 11   Adartico Vudafieri [it]
  Bruno Scabini
  Lancia Stratos HF
SS3 Retired (electrical) 4 12   Vincent Francis
  Willy Huret
  Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.0
SS3 Retired (punctures) 4 14   Attilio Bettega
  Gianni Vacchetto
  Lancia Stratos HF
SS3 Retired 4 15   Verdura
Farre
  Alpine-Renault A110 1600
Retired 4 16   Sébastien Vannucci
   François "FanFan" Vannucci
  Alpine-Renault A110
Retired 4 17   Murati
  Jacques Filippi
  Alpine-Renault A110
Retired 4 18   Ange-Marie Venturini
  Dominique Simonini
  Alpine-Renault A110
Retired 4 20   Marc Wilmot
  Uwe Fraas
  Alpine-Renault A110
SS5 Retired (Accident) 3 22   Gérard Swaton
  Bernard Cordesse
  Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7
Retired 3 23   "Sartou"
  Maurice Gélin
  Porsche 911
Retired 3 25   Giancarlo Ontano
  Giuseppe Fiorucci
  Porsche 911
Retired 3 26   Michel Branca
  Camoin
  Alpine-Renault A310
SS6 Retired (accident) 3 28   Christian Gardavot
  Georges Otto
  Porsche 911
Retired 3 31   "Rocal"
  A. Paolucci
  Porsche 911
Retired 3 32   Francis Leymarie
  Patrick Vieux-Rochat
  Alpine-Renault A110
Retired 3 33   Jean Taibi
  Pierre Innocenti
  Alpine-Renault A110 1600S
Retired 3 36   "Noquin"
  Gérard Roncin
  Porsche 911
SS4 Retired (brakes) 1 37   Jean-Louis Clarr
  "Tilber"
  Opel Kadett GT/E
SS3 Retired (electrics) 2 39   Yves Loubet
  Jean-Louis Mérigot
  Opel Kadett GT/E
SS3 Retired (suspension) 2 42   Jean-Sébastien Couloumiès
  Jean-Bernard Vieu
  Opel Kadett GT/E
Retired 2 43   Charles Alberti
  René Alemany ("Toutàfond")
  Opel Kadett GT/E
SS2 Retired (oil pipe) 2 45   Christine Dacremont
  Isabelle Perrier
  Fiat 127 Sport
Retired 2 46   Jean Bondrille
  Vincent Fattaccio
  Opel Kadett GT/E
SS2 Retired (oil) 2 48   Antonella Mandelli
  Cristina Bertone
  Fiat 127 Sport
Retired 2 50   Agostini
  Cipriani
  Triumph Dolomite Sprint
SS5 Retired (distributor) 2 51   Mariane Fourton
  Marie-Madeleine Fouquet
  Fiat 127 Sport
Retired 2 52   "La Guepe"
  Christiane Dutto
  Simca Rallye 2
Retired 2 53   Albert Braida
  Alain Boniface
  Volkswagen Golf GTi
Retired 2 54   Jean-Jacques Audouard
  Rochebrun
  Opel Kadett GT/E
SS3 Retired (distributor) 2 55   Anna Cambiaghi
  Enrica Marenghi
  Fiat 127 Sport
Retired 2 56   "Olgui"
  Christian Ledent
  Opel Kadett GT/E
Retired 2 58   Luc Desangles
  Paul-Marie Feretti
  Opel Kadett GT/E
SS6 Retired (distributor) 2 59   Joëlle Chardin-Hazard
  Antoinette Straumann
  Fiat 127 Sport
Retired 2 60   F-J. Galgani
  R. Dominici
  Toyota
Retired 2 62   Jean-Yves Navucet
  Dominique Le Corre
  Opel Kadett GT/E
SS10 Retired (electrical) 2 63   Maurizia Baresi
  Iva Boggio
  Fiat 127 Sport
Retired 2 64   Massimo Belfiglio
  Mauro Fulchieri
  Autobianchi A112 Abarth
Retired 2 65   Touquet
  Touquet
  Toyota
Retired 2 66   Simongiovanni
  Muffragi
  Simca Rallye 2
Retired 2 68   Jean-André Antonetti
J. Fabiani
  Opel Kadett GT/E
Retired 2 69   J. Milanini
  D. Agostini
  Opel Ascona
Retired 2 72   Jacques de Peretti
  César de Peretti
  Opel Kadett GT/E
Retired 2 73   Jean Lasfargeas
  Emile
  Opel Kadett GT/E
Retired 2 74   Patrick Bernardini
  Alain Marketou
  Simca Rallye 2
Retired 2 76   Bernard Matteudi
  Philippe Denkin
  Opel Kadett GT/E
Retired 2 78   André Colonna
  Jean Campana
  Renault 5 Alpine
Retired 2 79   Jean-Pierre Carducci
  Cerezuela
  Simca Rallye 2
Retired 2 80   Jacques Filippi
  Charles Luciani
  Simca Rallye 2
Retired 2 81   Jean-Charles Martinetti
  Philippe Gabrielli
  Simca Rallye 2
Retired 2 82 Baranovsky
Attil
  Peugeot 104
Retired 2 83   François Andreucci
  Panutti
  Simca Rallye 2
Retired 2 85 Meme
Mariani
  Peugeot 104
Retired 1 86   Claude Laurent
  Jacques Marché
  Peugeot 104 ZS
Retired 1 87   Dominique De Meyer
  Baudon
  Opel Kadett GT/E
Retired 1 90   Jean-Pierre Mari ("Smack")
  Jean-Pierre Giacomoni
  Toyota Celica Liftback
SS5 Retired (mechanical) 1 92   Marc Praschl
  Christian Petit
  Ford Escort RS2000 Mk II
Retired 1 93   Xavier Carlotti
  Jean-Luc Pegoix
  Peugeot 104 ZS
Retired 1 95   "Bagheera"
  "Titus"
  Opel Kadett GT/E
Retired (accident) 1 96   Jean-Pierre Leude
  François Souquet
  Opel Kadett GT/E
Retired 1 98   José Murati
  de Susini
  Opel Kadett GT/E
Retired 1 99   Jean-Félix Farrucci
  Albert Gori
  Opel Kadett GT/E
Retired 1 100   J-P. Istria
  Patrick de la Foata
  Opel Kadett GT/E
Retired 1 102   Gugliemi
  Seigneurie
  Opel Kadett GT/E
Retired 1 104   Charles Marcelli ("Toupi")
  Jean Filippini ("Rolac")
  Volkswagen Golf GTi
Retired 1 108   Italo Arena
Davinen
  Toyota
Retired 1 109   Alex De Lanfranchi
  Quilici
  Volkswagen Golf GTi
Retired 1 110   Grazzini
  Caraffa
  Opel Ascona
Retired 1 112   Félicien Balesi
  Balesi
  Volkswagen Golf GTi
Retired 1 113   Chiappe
  Antonini
  Volkswagen Golf GTi
Retired 1 115   Jean Porri
Mijane
  Opel Kadett GT/E
Retired 1 116 Rinaldi
  Albertini
  Simca Rallye 2
Retired 1 118 Membre
Merlang
  DAF
Retired 1 119   Colombani
Cameron
  Peugeot 104
Retired 1 120   André Paoletti
  Paoletti
  Simca Rallye 2
Retired 1 122   Godart
  Breton
  Volkswagen Golf GTi

Championship standings edit

1978 World Rally Championship for Manufacturers: points standings after round 10
After round 10 Team Season end
Position Points Position Points
1 134   Fiat 1 134
2 86   Opel 3 100
3 82   Ford 2 100
4 79   Porsche 4 79
5 50   Toyota 6 50
6 49   Lancia 7 49
7 45   Peugeot 8 45
8 42   Datsun 5 52
9 33   Renault 9 33
10 18   Saab 11 18
11 17   Volkswagen 12 17
12 16   Mitsubishi 13 16
13 14   Vauxhall 14 14
  Alfa Romeo 14 14
15 12   British Leyland Cars 10 24
  Mercedes 16 12
17 10   Volvo 17 10
18 6   Škoda 19 6
19 5   Alpine-Renault 20 5
20 4   Lada 21 4

References edit

  1. ^ a b Oliveira, André (2013-06-29). "22. Tour de Corse - Rallye de France 1978". eWRC-results.com. Archived from the original on 2023-03-06.
  2. ^ Kjellström, PeO (1991-07-18). "Segra eller dö" [Win or die]. Teknikens Värld (in Swedish). Vol. 43, no. 14. Stockholm, Sweden: Specialtidningsförlaget AB. p. 76.

External links edit