History 2000s

2006 Cyprus Rally (Cyprus)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2006 Cyprus Rally (Cyprus)

Date: September 22–24, 2006

Start Location: Limassol, Cyprus

Finish Location: Limassol, Cyprus

Total Distance: ~1,015.00 km

Competitive Stages: 333.10 km

Surface: Gravel (rough, slow, twisty)

The Cyprus Rally’s tight mountain stages, high temperatures, and rough gravel made it a battle of endurance for both crews and cars. Sébastien Loeb relied on patience and mechanical sympathy to outlast Marcus Grönholm and claim yet another victory in his dominant 2006 season.

Route

Psathi: Extremely twisty and narrow, demanding precise steering and perfect throttle control.
Foini: A punishingly rough stage where keeping the car intact was more important than outright speed.
Koilani: Alternating between tight technical sections and slightly faster stretches lined with loose rock.

The rally’s slow, winding stages contrasted with the high-speed events earlier in the season. Notable stages included:

Dust hung in the air between the mountains, and tire wear was extreme due to the abrasive surface and high temperatures.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Sébastien Loeb & Daniel Elena · Citroën Xsara WRC – Kronos Racing
2nd Place
Marcus Grönholm & Timo Rautiainen · Ford Focus RS WRC 06
3rd Place
Mikko Hirvonen & Jarmo Lehtinen · Ford Focus RS WRC 06

Loeb’s smooth and measured pace allowed him to preserve his tires and avoid car damage. Grönholm kept the gap small but couldn’t find enough pace in the slowest sections to mount a late charge.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Extreme Heat: Tested driver concentration and car cooling systems to the limit.
  • Rough Terrain: Rocks and ruts could cause instant suspension or tire damage.
  • Slow, Technical Stages: Precision was more important than raw speed, rewarding patient driving.

Loeb’s Cyprus win was another display of adaptability, taking victory in conditions completely opposite to the high-speed rallies earlier in the year.

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