History 2000s

2005 Rallye de France – Tour de Corse (France)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2005 Rallye de France – Tour de Corse (France)

Date: October 21–23, 2005

Start Location: Ajaccio, Corsica, France

Finish Location: Ajaccio, Corsica, France

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

Competitive Stages: 341.36 km

Surface: Asphalt (technical, twisty)

On the tight, twisty tarmac of Corsica, Sébastien Loeb achieved what no WRC driver had done before — he won every single stage of a rally. The 2005 Tour de Corse was the ultimate demonstration of asphalt dominance, as Loeb and Daniel Elena turned in a flawless, untouchable performance across the mountainous Mediterranean island roads.

Route

Pont de Castirla – Scala di Santa Regina: Narrow and unrelenting — carved into cliffside rock faces with no room for error.
Erbajolo – Pont d'Altiani: A mix of high-speed tarmac and tight hairpins, with severe elevation changes.
La Porta – Valle di Rostino: Twisty, cambered, and punishing for inconsistent brake or steering input.

Corsica’s reputation as the 'Rally of 10,000 Corners' was well-earned — it demanded total focus and rhythm across its technical stages. Key stages included:

Loeb’s commitment, tire selection, and surgical pace made him unbeatable. Other contenders faltered or simply couldn't keep up, as he opened gaps on every stage.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Sébastien Loeb & Daniel Elena · Citroën Xsara WRC
2nd Place
Toni Gardemeister & Jakke Honkanen · Ford Focus RS WRC
3rd Place
Gilles Panizzi & Hervé Panizzi · Skoda Fabia WRC

Gardemeister drove smart and consistent to secure second, while Panizzi’s podium in the Skoda was one of the highlights of the marque’s WRC tenure. But it was Loeb’s complete stage sweep that defined the event and stunned the rallying world.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Corner Density: Constant direction changes punished inconsistency — Loeb’s timing and precision were in a class of their own.
  • Brake Management: High-speed to hairpin transitions made brake fade a major threat — Loeb’s technique preserved tire and brake health.
  • Fatigue: Even short mistakes meant disaster in Corsica — Loeb remained calm, clean, and utterly focused.

The 2005 Tour de Corse wasn’t just a rally win — it was history in the making. Loeb’s complete stage sweep has never been repeated, and it stands as one of the greatest drives in World Rally Championship history.

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