1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally

The event was the brainchild of Wylton Dickson, possibly inspired by the earlier 1968 London-Sydney Marathon, and was to mark the fact that the 1966 FIFA World Cup had been held in London and that the upcoming 1970 FIFA World Cup was to be held in Mexico. Dickson approached the renowned British rally driver Paddy Hopkirk and together they went to The Daily Mirror for sponsorship.

The event was organised by members of the RAC and the MSA.

The course covered approximately 16,000 miles (25,700 km) through Europe, South America and Central America. Two boats were needed to convey the rally, one to cross the Atlantic Ocean from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro and a second from Buenaventura, Colombia across the Gulf of Panama to Panama to avoid the impassable Darién Gap. Some of the principal towns and cities visited were, in order:[1]

European leg (April 19-25)

• London, England
• Dover, England
• Boulogne-sur-Mer, France
• Mannheim, Germany
• Munich, Germany
• Vienna, Austria
• Budapest, Hungary
• Belgrade, Yugoslavia
• Sofia, Bulgaria
• Trieste, Italy
• Venice, Italy
• Genoa, Italy
• Toulouse, France
• Pau, France
• Burgos, Spain
• Salamanca, Spain
• Lisbon, Portugal

Americas leg (May 9-27)

• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Montevideo, Uruguay
• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Bariloche, Argentina
• Santiago, Chile, Chile
• La Paz, Bolivia
• Lima, Peru
• Cali, Colombia
• Panama City, Panama
• San José, Costa Rica
• Mexico City, Mexico

The course included many special stages, some over 500 miles (800 km) long. Time penalties were given for exceeding set times on the special stages, as well as for other infractions of the rules, and the cars' positions determined by the penalties awarded rather than lowest cumulative times.

Mikkola's Ford Escort prototype based on the RS1600, from the rear.

Over one hundred cars started the event. The rules about what cars could be entered were not restrictive but due to the demanding nature of the course most competitors were conservative and used modified versions of standard models. That did not prevent there being a wide variety of cars, from Volkswagen Beetles to Rolls-Royces. There were works (officially sanctioned and prepared) entries from Ford, British Leyland and Moskvitch, and semi-works entries from Citroën.

The Ford team ran modified Escort Mk Is, fitted with an 1850 cc version of the crossflow Kent engine and uprated with various other parts from other Ford models. Each Ford car had two drivers. The British Leyland team entered two teams. The first team ran three Triumph 2.5PI Mark 2s, which were more powerful than the Fords but were significantly heavier; two cars carried a three-man crew, Brian Culcheth preferring to stick with a conventional two-man crew. The second Leyland team ran Austin Maxis, Austin 1800s (some badged Morris) and a lone Mini Clubman. Citroën used the venerable DS21. Moskvich used the Moskvich 412 with 1500 cc engine.

Other cars run in the event included:

• BMW 2002ti
• Datsun 1600SSS
• Ford Cortina Lotus
• Ford Escort Mk I
• Hillman Hunter
• Jeep Wagoneer
• Mercedes-Benz 280SE
• Peugeot 404
• Porsche 911
• Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud
• Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
• Trident Venturer
• VW-based beach buggy

Many rally drivers of the day entered the event, including:

• Rauno Aaltonen
• Roger Clark
• Jorge Burgoa (Bolivian National Team)
• Andrew Cowan (winner of the 1968 London-Sydney marathon)
• Brian Culcheth
• Tony Fall
• Paddy Hopkirk
• Timo Mäkinen
• Hannu Mikkola
• Jack Murray
• Gilbert Staepelaere
• Rene Trautmann
• Guy Verrier
• Gastón Perkins
• Jose Migliore
• Alcides Rodriguez (Peugeot #33)
• Henri "Ido" Marang, who was killed in the crash of his Citroën on May 25, two days before the race's end. His co-driver, Paul Coltelloni survived but was seriously injured.[2]

As well as professional rally drivers, the event attracted a number of well known people, including the footballer Jimmy Greaves, who finished a very creditable sixth, and HRH Prince Michael of Kent, who failed to finish.[1]

• London-Mexico: The Complete Story, transcription of an article in the French magazine L'Auto Journal (in French)
• WCR40: The 40th Anniversary Event, The site for the reunion of all surviving cars, crews, mechanics, organisers and associated personnel to be held in April 2010. Now a part of the Heritage Marathon Rally Group website.
• Lotus Cortina to Mexico, The story of the Cal Withers entered Lotus Cortina in the 1970 event