The first edition of this event took place in September 1960 under the name “Rallye du Vin”. It was an animation of the 1st Comptoir de Martigny which has since become the Foire du Valais. As quickly as the Octodurian event, the Rallye du Vin is rapidly growing while remaining faithful to its name and its philosophy: the discovery of the different regions of the canton of Valais, its vineyards and its wines.

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From 1976, the touristic aspect of this event gave way to purely sporting automobile competition and quickly gained access to international championships, including the famous European Rally Championship, which has stopped every autumn in Valais since 1979. With this additional visibility, the Rallye du Vin attracts many renowned international drivers such as Jimmy McRae, Per Eklund and Jean Ragnotti. The first foreign victory goes to the Swedish Eklund, it was in 1980. The following year, Jimmy McRae, father of a certain Colin, won brilliantly on the roads of Valais at the wheel of an Opel Ascona 400 .