Hailed by many as the greatest driver never to win the World Rally Championship, Markku Alén remains something of an enigma. Never mind his distinctive accent, mannerisms and demeanour - all of which were, according to Prodrive’s David Richards, more in keeping with someone of Italian descent rather than his native Finland. Alén’s raw talent was undeniable. His 19 wins made him the most successful non-champion in WRC history (a record he has since lost to Thierry Neuville, though looks set to reluctantly reclaim come the end of this year), while his imposing tally of 801 stage wins remained unchallenged until the 2011 running of Rally Catalunya.

Despite his noteworthy contributions to Subaru and Toyota’s World Rally projects, it is Alén’s association with Italian marques for which he is best remembered. He helped Lancia to a momentous manufacturer’s crown in 1983 (the last for a two-wheel drive car) and sealed the 1978 WRC Cup for Drivers (a precursor to the official driver’s championship introduced the following year). Although armed with a Fiat 131 Abarth for the majority of that ‘78 season, round eight at San Remo would see Alén ditch the trusty saloon for the purpose-built Lancia Stratos. A brief partnership that nevertheless had a harmonious opening act. 

Introduced in 1974, the Stratos was quick to establish itself as the World Rally Championship’s preeminent force. The combined efforts of Sandro Munari and Björn Waldegård resulted in three straight manufacturers titles between 1974 and 1976. An imperious run that could well have continued were it not for infighting at Fiat. Instability that resulted in the prioritisation of the 131 Abarth.

However, for San Remo ’78, Alén was afforded the chance to swap his 131 for a works Stratos HF, a car that had arguably gone off the developmental boil having been introduced over four years previously. What's more, Alén’s experience with the Stratos paled in comparison to teammate Sandro Munari. The Italian having made his Stratos debut in 1974 and claimed the Driver’s Cup himself in 1977. Add to the equation Munari’s local knowledge and penchant for asphalt and it's safe to say Alén was not expected to spearhead Lancia’s change in San Remo.

However, the Stratos’s comically short wheelbase, Ferrari powerplant and capricious handling would prove as fragile as it was potent. Of the seven Stratos’ that started the event, just one made the finish. As the likes of Walter Röhrl, Attilio Bettega and Sandro Munari fell victim to either mechanical maladies or driver error, Alén held his nerve and cruised home over ten minutes clear of the opposition for his first, and only, Stratos win. Despite never again claiming victory at the wheel of the world’s first purpose-built rally car, the nine points he earned that weekend served as a vital stepping stone en route to the 1978 Cup for Drivers. An accolade which sadly, was the closest Alén ever got to the fully-fledged driver’s crown he unquestionably deserved.

Text: Hamir Thapar / Photos courtesy of the Girardo & Co. Archive