History 2000s

2001 Rally of Great Britain (United Kingdom)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2001 Rally of Great Britain (United Kingdom)

Date: November 22–25, 2001

Start Location: Cardiff, Wales

Finish Location: Cardiff, Wales

Total Distance: ~1,250 km (estimated full route)

Competitive Stages: ~379 km

Surface: Gravel (wet/muddy)

The 2001 Rally of Great Britain brought the WRC season to a dramatic close in the damp, fog-covered forests of Wales. Marcus Grönholm drove with clinical precision on treacherous surfaces to take victory — his fifth of the year — helping Peugeot clinch the manufacturers' championship in an event defined by thick fog, deep ruts, and mental endurance.

Route

Myherin: Fast and flowing with long straights and hidden crests — deep fog made navigation particularly treacherous.
Sweet Lamb: A fan-favorite arena stage featuring water splashes and technical rhythm sections.
Dyfi: Slippery, cambered corners and tree-lined ditches — one of the most technically demanding of the weekend.

The event featured legendary forest stages across mid and south Wales, with rain and mud making traction and visibility a constant battle. Notable stages included:

Weather throughout the rally was cold and rainy, resulting in deep mud ruts, standing water, and limited daylight — a quintessential British rally test.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Marcus Grönholm & Timo Rautiainen · Peugeot 206 WRC
2nd Place
Richard Burns & Robert Reid · Subaru Impreza S7 WRC
3rd Place
Carlos Sainz & Luis Moya · Ford Focus WRC

Grönholm delivered a balanced, mistake-free drive while title rival Burns pushed hard but fell short. Sainz’s consistency secured a critical third place for Ford, but it wasn’t enough to deny Peugeot the championship.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Fog and Rain: Visibility dropped to just meters in some stages — pace note clarity and timing were absolutely crucial.
  • Mud Ruts: Deep and unpredictable — wheel placement had to be perfect or risk spinning, aquaplaning, or puncturing.
  • Season Pressure: With titles on the line, maintaining mental composure under slippery and deceptive conditions was key to success.

Grönholm’s dominant win in Wales capped a spectacular season and highlighted his evolution from gravel specialist to all-surface champion — helping Peugeot secure one of the most hard-fought manufacturer titles in WRC history.

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