History 1990s

1998 China Rally (Huairou, China)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1998 China Rally (Huairou, China)

Date: June 19–21, 1998

Start Location: Huairou, China

Finish Location: Huairou, China

Total Distance: ~1,075 km (full route)

Competitive Stages: 383.42 km

Surface: Gravel

The 1998 China Rally, held near Beijing in Huairou, offered a mix of mountainous terrain, foggy hill climbs, and deceptive gravel conditions. Though not part of the WRC manufacturer points race, it attracted top teams and showcased some of the toughest stage conditions outside the traditional European rounds. Colin McRae drove with signature intensity, overcoming low visibility and surface degradation to secure a commanding win for Subaru and keep momentum in the WRC driver's standings.

Route

Jiuduhe Loop: Twisting gravel roads along riverbeds, with narrow bridges and rapid transitions between corners.
Great Wall Pass: Climbing, fog-shrouded ridge with blind switchbacks and unpredictable surface grip.
Yanqi Stage: Fast sections near the water’s edge, requiring bravery under braking and careful pacenote use due to exposed drop-offs.

The stages looped through mountainous passes and farmland roads outside Huairou, featuring technical sections with minimal margin for error:

Weather conditions worsened as the rally progressed, with mist and low clouds affecting visibility and making traction highly variable across the day’s running order.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Colin McRae & Nicky Grist · Subaru Impreza WRC98
2nd Place
Carlos Sainz & Luis Moya · Toyota Corolla WRC
3rd Place
Juha Kankkunen & Juha Repo · Ford Escort WRC

McRae’s fearless approach paid off, while rivals played it safe in the worsening conditions. His pace through foggy mountain stages gave Subaru a clear edge in the final classification.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Fog and Visibility: Thick mist along mountain ridges created near-zero visibility conditions, testing co-driver rhythm and driver trust.
  • Surface Wear: Loose gravel quickly broke apart with multiple passes, creating ruts and hidden rocks that damaged suspensions and slowed lines.
  • Altitude and Heat: Long climbs pushed cooling systems, while summer heat at lower altitudes required careful monitoring of tires and brakes.

The 1998 China Rally stood out as a rugged, high-risk event on the calendar. McRae’s fearless precision through blind crests and fogbound forest trails earned him a celebrated victory under incredibly demanding conditions.

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