History 2000s

2004 Telstra Rally Australia (Australia)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2004 Telstra Rally Australia (Australia)

Date: November 11–14, 2004

Start Location: Perth, Western Australia

Finish Location: Perth, Western Australia

Total Distance: 1,426.48 km

Competitive Stages: 388.25 km

Surface: Gravel (fast, loose)

Held in the forests surrounding Perth, the 2004 edition of Rally Australia was a high-speed thriller. Sébastien Loeb demonstrated incredible composure and pace on the region’s slippery ball-bearing gravel, staying clear of trouble and executing flawless pacenote coordination with Daniel Elena to claim a vital late-season victory.

Route

Helena South: A blend of wide gravel sweepers and technical sections — rapid rhythm changes and crest commitment required.
Ferndale: A flowing test with numerous camber transitions — vital for setting the tone on Leg 2.
Wellington Dam: A challenging mix of tight bends and blind drops — a mistake here could be rally-ending.

Western Australia’s roads are known for their speed and deceptive grip levels. Key stages included:

Although weather remained mostly dry, morning dust and afternoon glare added to visibility concerns, particularly for those starting down the order.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Sébastien Loeb & Daniel Elena · Citroën Xsara WRC
2nd Place
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3rd Place
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Loeb built a lead early and defended it with methodical precision. Despite pressure from local favorite drivers and chasing factory teams, he kept his lines clean, conserved tires smartly, and made no costly errors across three intense days of gravel action.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Loose Gravel Layer: Australia’s infamous marbles punished oversteer and mid-corner corrections — Loeb’s smoothness made the difference.
  • High-Speed Accuracy: Co-driver calls were critical on crests and fast transitions — Elena was faultless throughout.
  • Local Pressure: With strong competition from regional drivers and manufacturers, Loeb had to manage risk vs reward with championship implications looming.

With this win, Loeb closed out a remarkable 2004 season with a rally that demanded mechanical sympathy, technical finesse, and absolute concentration — all delivered with champion-level poise in the forests of Western Australia.

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