History 2000s

2002 Rally of Great Britain (United Kingdom)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2002 Rally of Great Britain (United Kingdom)

Date: November 14–17, 2002

Start Location: Cardiff, Wales

Finish Location: Cardiff, Wales

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

Competitive Stages: ~394 km

Surface: Gravel (muddy/forest)

The 2002 Rally GB closed the WRC season with foggy, rain-soaked stages through the Welsh forests. Petter Solberg put together the perfect rally, balancing speed with precision to take his first-ever World Rally Championship victory — an emotional and symbolic result for both driver and team.

Route

Myherin: Fast and flowing, but shrouded in fog — grip varied wildly depending on mud buildup and ruts.
Dyfnant: Tight and technical — rewarded traction and smooth braking over speed.
Sweet Lamb: The traditional spectator stage — jumps, water splashes, and fast descents made it a fan favorite and technical highlight.

The route wound through classic Welsh forests including famous stages like Myherin and Sweet Lamb. Key characteristics included:

Conditions were cold and wet, with limited visibility and slick gravel making tire choices and pace note timing more critical than ever.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Petter Solberg & Phil Mills · Subaru Impreza WRC
2nd Place
Marcus Grönholm & Timo Rautiainen · Peugeot 206 WRC
3rd Place
Carlos Sainz & Marc Martí · Ford Focus RS WRC

Solberg’s win was well-earned after a tight duel with championship leader Grönholm, who secured his second WRC title by finishing second. Sainz completed the podium with yet another steady performance in treacherous conditions.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Fog and Visibility: Many stages were run in near-whiteout conditions — co-driver timing had to be flawless.
  • Mud and Grip Loss: Slippery gravel and mud buildup created constant variation in corner behavior.
  • Pressure and Legacy: With the championship on the line and Solberg hunting his first win, composure and team communication were key.

Petter Solberg’s first win at Rally GB marked the beginning of a new era, while Grönholm’s calm second place clinched the championship — ending the 2002 season with celebration, emotion, and true rally grit.

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