The Marathon de la Route was a series of road rallies held in Europe between 1931 and 1971, including Liège–Rome–Liège and Liège–Sofia–Liège rallies held on public roads and closed-circuit races held at the Nürburgring from 1965 until 1971. It was reserved for so-called touring cars.Delsaux, Jean-Paul. Marathon de la Route 1931/1971 (Jean-Paul Delsaux, 1991) Many renowned drivers participated such as Olivier Gendebien, Willy Mairesse, Lucien Bianchi, and Jacky Ickx.
History
Liège–Rome–Liège The race took place on an open road, an average distance of 3,500 km non-stop (sometimes more than 5,000 km as in 1959): departing Wednesday at 11 pm from Spa, and returning to the same place on Sunday around 4 pm. A Golden Cup was also sometimes awarded to three-year class winners such as Bill Bengry. The rally of August 1939 was the last major rally event before World War II. Belgium's Ginet Trasenster of Bugatti and France's Jean Trévoux in a Hotchkiss tied for first place, denying the German works teams shortly before their countries were overrun. This was one of five Liège wins for Trasenster.
The Liège continued as uncompromisingly an open road event run to an impossible time schedule, and remained Europe's toughest rally until it had moved to Yugoslavia and Bulgaria.
Liège–Sofia–Liège From 1961 to 1964, the course was modified to Liège-Sofia-Liège. This reflected the desire of the organizer — the Royal Motor Union of Liège to diversify the route and to find traffic-free roads.
Despite the change in venue, the race still kept its reputation as a challenge of driver endurance and mechanical reliability. The 1961 race required 90 hours of driving with a 4 hour rest at Sofia. Only 8 cars finished out of 85 total entrants. Lucien Bianchi and Georges Harris won this event, driving a Citroën DS 19.
Nürburgring By the mid 1960s, some countries refuses to have rallyes cross their territory. Thus, from 1965 to 1971, the race was held on the full layout of the Nürburgring, combining both loops. The duration of the race was 82 hours, and reached 96 hours in its last edition.
Afterwards A revival was planned for 2011 but was cancelled.
Winners Record holder of number of victories: Ginet Trasenster, 5
Liège–Rome–Liège (1931-1939) YearDriversCar Make/ModelRef1931 Bugatti1932 Bugatti1933 FN 3.2L1934* Mercedes-Benz Lancia BugattiBugatti Bugatti Alder Renault1935* Renault Bugatti1936Cancelled1937 Hanomag1938 Bugatti1939* Bugatti Hotchkiss *Multiple teams finished without penalties or with equal points and were declared co-winners
Liège-Rome-Liège (1950-1960) YearDriversCar Make/ModelRef1950 Peugeot 203 Speciale1951 Jaguar XK1201952 Porsche 356SL Gmünd Coupe1953 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT1954 Porsche 356SL Gmünd Coupe1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL1957 Porsche 356 A 1500 GS Carrera GT Speedster1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce Zagato1959 Porsche 356 A 1600 GS Carrera GT Coupe1960 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk 1
Liège–Sofia–Liège YearDriversCar Make/ModelRef1961 Citroën DS 191962 Mercedes-Benz 220 SEb W1111963 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL1964 Austin-Healey 3000
Nürburgring Year Drivers Car Make/Model Length Ref1965 Ford Mustang82 hours1966 MG MGB84 hours1967 Porsche 911R Sportomatic84 hours1968 Porsche 911 E84 hours1969 Lancia Fulvia 1.6 HF84 hours1970 VW-Porsche 914/686 hours1971 Alpine A 110 1600S96 hours
See also
Liège-Brescia-Liège
References