History 2000s

2002 Rally Finland (Finland)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2002 Rally Finland (Finland)

Date: August 8–11, 2002

Start Location: Jyväskylä, Finland

Finish Location: Jyväskylä, Finland

Total Distance: ~1,200 km (estimated full route)

Competitive Stages: ~407 km

Surface: Gravel

Often dubbed the “Grand Prix on Gravel,” the 2002 Rally Finland saw Marcus Grönholm deliver a flawless drive through the flowing and airborne stages of his homeland. Using the speed and balance of the Peugeot 206 WRC to perfection, Grönholm led from start to finish and once again proved unbeatable on Finland’s legendary high-speed roads.

Route

Ouninpohja: Arguably the fastest stage in the WRC — blind crests, long straights, and rhythm-based timing demanded full commitment.

Lankamaa: Wide and smooth with flowing transitions — rewarded precise corner placement and bravery over jumps.

Ruuhimäki: Featured the famous final jump — a crowd-pleasing stage where showmanship and technique came together.

The rally featured iconic Finnish gravel stages known for their high average speeds, sweeping crests, and countless jumps. Notable stages included:

Dry weather and excellent surface preparation allowed drivers to push flat-out, making stage records and high average speeds commonplace throughout the weekend.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner

Marcus Grönholm & Timo Rautiainen · Peugeot 206 WRC

2nd Place

Harri Rovanperä & Risto Pietiläinen · Peugeot 206 WRC

3rd Place

Petter Solberg & Phil Mills · Subaru Impreza WRC

Grönholm's victory was never in doubt after early stage wins built a significant lead. Teammate Rovanperä backed him up with a strong second place, while Solberg delivered another consistent podium drive, confirming his growing reputation on gravel.

Navigation & Challenges

Jump Precision: Landing cleanly from high-speed crests was vital — incorrect lines could lead to massive time loss or damage.
Pace Note Timing: The blind nature of most corners made co-driver rhythm essential — one late call could ruin a loop.
Local Knowledge: Familiarity with the unique flow and camber of Finnish gravel was a clear advantage — especially for Grönholm and Rovanperä.

Marcus Grönholm’s dominant win in Finland cemented his reputation as the undisputed master of the home stages and solidified his charge toward a second WRC title.

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