History 2000s

2005 Rally Catalunya (Spain)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2005 Rally Catalunya (Spain)

Date: October 28–30, 2005

Start Location: Lloret de Mar, Spain

Finish Location: Salou, Spain

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

Competitive Stages: 358.63 km

Surface: Asphalt (smooth, flowing, circuit-like)

The Rally Catalunya’s wide, grippy asphalt roads suited Sébastien Loeb and the Citroën Xsara WRC perfectly. With near-perfect lines and relentless consistency, Loeb built a commanding lead from the opening day and never looked back, adding another asphalt win to his already legendary 2005 campaign.

Route

El Montmell: Long and flowing with panoramic views and fast sequences — a true driver’s favorite.
La Mussara: A technical uphill/downhill challenge with hairpins and sweeping rhythm sections.
Colldejou: Featuring tight bends and altitude changes — perfect for gauging car balance and braking control.

Catalunya’s stages are often likened to a racetrack — smooth surfaces, wide curves, and high-speed commitment. Key stages included:

Dry weather made conditions ideal for aggressive setups and slick tires throughout the weekend — benefiting Loeb’s ultra-precise approach.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Sébastien Loeb & Daniel Elena · Citroën Xsara WRC
2nd Place
François Duval & Sven Smeets · Citroën Xsara WRC
3rd Place
Marcus Grönholm & Timo Rautiainen · Peugeot 307 WRC

Loeb remained untouchable across all stages, while teammate Duval backed up Citroën with a secure second place. Grönholm fought to keep pace, but the Peugeot couldn’t match the Xsara’s pace on perfect tarmac.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Line Discipline: Precision in corner entry and exit was critical to conserve tires and maintain momentum — Loeb’s hallmark.
  • Late Braking Zones: Catalunya’s wide roads tempted aggressive braking — misjudging just one could cost seconds or worse.
  • Tire Preservation: Maintaining soft-compound grip across long stages required throttle discipline and minimal sliding.

With Catalunya in the books, Loeb added another dominant tarmac win to his unparalleled 2005 run, showcasing yet again why he was the undisputed asphalt king of his generation.

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