History 2000s

2003 Rally of Turkey (Turkey)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2003 Rally of Turkey (Turkey)

Date: February 27 – March 2, 2003

Start Location: Kemer, Turkey

Finish Location: Kemer, Turkey

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

Competitive Stages: 383.13 km

Surface: Gravel (loose, rocky)

The 2003 Rally of Turkey made its debut on the WRC calendar with a punishing mix of mountainous gravel roads, loose rock, and treacherous ruts. Carlos Sainz brought calm and control to the chaos, staying out of trouble and guiding his Citroën Xsara WRC to a landmark win — Citroën's first ever WRC victory on gravel.

Route

Olympos: Narrow, winding climbs with jagged rocks and deep cuts — high puncture risk throughout.
Phaselis: Fast but dusty — grip was unpredictable, especially in second passes.
Göynük: Technical and tight — required sharp direction changes and co-driver rhythm in the dense forest sections.

Held around the resort town of Kemer near the Mediterranean coast, the rally was rough, technical, and full of surprises. Notable stages included:

Rain earlier in the week added water-logged ruts and slippery patches to the challenge, making consistency and tire preservation essential.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Carlos Sainz & Marc Martí · Citroën Xsara WRC
2nd Place
Richard Burns & Robert Reid · Peugeot 206 WRC
3rd Place
Marcus Grönholm & Timo Rautiainen · Peugeot 206 WRC

Sainz remained consistent while many of his rivals faltered or suffered mechanical problems. Burns and Grönholm battled through the chaos to round out the podium, salvaging valuable points for Peugeot in unfamiliar conditions.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Unfamiliarity: As a new event, no crews had historic notes — everyone started from scratch, magnifying co-driver importance.
  • Mechanical Strain: Rock fields and sharp corners claimed suspensions and punctured tires across the field.
  • Pace Management: Sainz avoided drama by staying within limits while others chased raw speed and paid the price.

The Rally of Turkey's brutal debut reshuffled the WRC pecking order, and Carlos Sainz’s controlled and experienced approach handed Citroën a historic gravel breakthrough — one that signaled the French team's true all-surface potential.

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