History 2000s

2004 Rally of Turkey (Turkey)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2004 Rally of Turkey (Turkey)

Date: June 25–27, 2004

Start Location: Kemer, Turkey

Finish Location: Kemer, Turkey

Total Distance: ~1,000 km (estimated full route)

Competitive Stages: 383.06 km

Surface: Gravel (rough and technical)

The third running of the Rally of Turkey was once again one of the toughest events on the calendar. Featuring rocky mountain roads and high ambient temperatures, the 2004 edition tested both driver endurance and mechanical durability. Sébastien Loeb kept his pace smooth and smart throughout to secure his fourth win of the season and strengthen his title campaign.

Route

Olympos: Long and treacherous with embedded rocks and deep ruts — ideal for cautious, technical driving.
Kumluca: Fast yet narrow — exposed cliffs punished any lapse in line discipline.
Phaselis: Shorter but very twisty — low average speeds and constant rhythm changes.

Set near the Mediterranean coast, the event featured rough mountain gravel with limited visibility and tight junctions. Notable stages included:

Despite dry conditions, stage surfaces deteriorated quickly, producing dust clouds and damaging rocks. Tire wear and punctures were frequent hazards.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Sébastien Loeb & Daniel Elena · Citroën Xsara WRC
2nd Place
Marcus Grönholm & Timo Rautiainen · Peugeot 307 WRC
3rd Place
Carlos Sainz & Marc Martí · Citroën Xsara WRC

Loeb’s victory came from a balanced approach — fast when grip was available, but never risking the car. Grönholm and Sainz completed the podium after surviving the brutal terrain and capitalizing on retirements from rivals.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Rough Terrain: Rocks and broken surfaces forced drivers to compromise pace — punctures were frequent and retirements common.
  • Heat Management: High temperatures pushed cars to their thermal limits — overheating and brake fade affected several top runners.
  • Pace Control: Loeb succeeded by never overdriving — a smart, measured pace kept him in the lead without damage.

The 2004 Rally of Turkey reinforced Sébastien Loeb’s growing reputation as not just a tarmac specialist, but a true all-surface WRC threat — calm under pressure, composed over chaos, and lethal in execution.

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