History 1990s

1998 Tour de Corse – Rallye de France (Corsica)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1998 Tour de Corse – Rallye de France (Corsica)

Date: May 7–10, 1998

Start Location: Ajaccio, Corsica

Finish Location: Ajaccio, Corsica

Total Distance: ~1,030 km (full route)

Competitive Stages: 380.86 km

Surface: Asphalt

The 1998 Tour de Corse lived up to its nickname as the “Rally of 10,000 Corners.” Featuring relentless sequences of twisting tarmac through the Corsican mountains, the rally demanded impeccable car control and mental endurance. Colin McRae showed that his talents extended far beyond gravel, piloting the Subaru Impreza WRC98 with supreme confidence to capture his third victory of the season. His precise lines and consistent pace carved out a commanding win against tarmac specialists.

Route

Col de Sorba: A winding descent with uneven camber, demanding careful brake modulation and late apexes.
Zérubia–Petreto: Constant cornering through rural villages and coastal ridges — one mistake could mean retirement.
Vico–Sagone: A mix of smooth flow and technical hairpins, emphasizing rhythm and tire management.

The event featured narrow mountain roads with sharp elevation changes and minimal run-off. Key stages included:

Dry conditions throughout the event allowed drivers to push the limits of grip, while tire compound choice still played a crucial role in the long looped stages.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Colin McRae & Nicky Grist · Subaru Impreza WRC98
2nd Place
Gilles Panizzi & Hervé Panizzi · Peugeot 306 Maxi
3rd Place
Carlos Sainz & Luis Moya · Toyota Corolla WRC

McRae’s win silenced critics of his asphalt capabilities and proved that Subaru’s WRC98 platform could match — and beat — the best tarmac setups in the world.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Endless Cornering: The lack of straights meant crews had to maintain concentration over hundreds of turns per stage.
  • Brake Fade: Repeated descents and tight corners pushed even the best braking systems to the limit.
  • Pace Note Timing: With constant directional changes, co-driver rhythm was just as vital as car speed.

The 1998 Tour de Corse was a high-precision chess match on wheels. McRae’s victory marked a turning point in his tarmac reputation and brought Subaru a much-needed asphalt triumph in the WRC98 campaign.

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