Monte Carlo Rally

After penetrating the blockades (see Rally Review) fifty-one finishers were led into Monte Carlo by a trio of factory Alpines, winners being Jean-Claude Andruet and his young girl co-driver Michele Petit, known as “Biche”. Two works-entered 2-litre Escorts started well but the quicker, that of Hannu Mikkola and Jim Porter, could only manage fourth place though it did win the Touring Car category. A tussle between Fiat and Lancia was resolved in favour of Fiat when Raffaele Pinto, in a 1.8-litre 124 Abarth finished a mere second ahead of Harry Kallstrom. Indecision by the organisers led to the exclusion of nearly 150 competitors whose actions to bring the rally to a stop caused considerable adverse publicity.