History 2000s

2005 Telstra Rally Australia (Australia)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2005 Telstra Rally Australia (Australia)

Date: November 10–13, 2005

Start Location: Perth, Western Australia

Finish Location: Perth, Western Australia

Total Distance: ~1,351.78 km

Competitive Stages: 355.75 km

Surface: Gravel (fast, ball-bearing loose)

With Sébastien Loeb already crowned champion, Rally Australia offered a chance for others to shine. François Duval seized the moment with a perfectly balanced drive across Western Australia’s high-speed gravel stages, avoiding trouble while others faltered, and earning a career-defining victory in the Citroën Xsara WRC.

Route

Helena South: A high-speed opener featuring long straights and shallow cambered corners — tire placement was everything.
Ferndale: A rally classic with flowing curves through eucalyptus forests — the key to rhythm and timing.
Wellington Dam: A test of traction, elevation, and courage — one of the longest and most technical stages of the rally.

Australia’s signature gravel roads are famously fast and loose, with the unique ‘ball-bearing’ top layer demanding complete confidence. Notable stages included:

Dust was less of a factor than usual thanks to consistent winds, but the loose surface made even slight errors costly in every braking zone and apex.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
François Duval & Sven Smeets · Citroën Xsara WRC
2nd Place
Marcus Grönholm & Timo Rautiainen · Peugeot 307 WRC
3rd Place
Mikko Hirvonen & Jarmo Lehtinen · Ford Focus RS WRC

Duval maintained pressure throughout all three legs while keeping mistakes at bay. Grönholm tried to close the gap but couldn’t find the consistency on loose sections, while Hirvonen impressed with his maturity and podium pace in tricky conditions.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Loose Gravel Layer: Extremely low grip in early passes — controlling slides and braking distances was critical.
  • Corner Commitment: Blind crests into fast corners demanded exact co-driver calls — Duval and Smeets were flawless.
  • High-Speed Risk: Rally Australia punished hesitation and overconfidence alike — Duval’s smooth aggression struck the perfect balance.

Duval’s triumph in Australia was a long-awaited redemption story. After a rocky season, he finished the year with style, giving Citroën one final win in the 2005 WRC campaign and securing his name in the history books.

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