History 2000s

2006 Telstra Rally Australia (Australia)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2006 Telstra Rally Australia (Australia)

Date: October 26–29, 2006

Start Location: Perth, Western Australia

Finish Location: Perth, Western Australia

Total Distance: ~1,345.00 km

Competitive Stages: 348.50 km

Surface: Gravel (fast, loose, "ball-bearing" top layer)

The 2006 Rally Australia delivered its trademark high-speed gravel action through the forests and countryside around Perth. In a dramatic twist, Mikko Hirvonen capitalized on problems for both Loeb and Grönholm to take his maiden WRC win, marking a major career milestone.

Route

Helena South: A high-speed forest blast with long straights and gentle bends that rewarded momentum.
Ferndale: Narrower and more technical, demanding precise braking and line choice.
Wellington Dam: A rally favorite combining elevation changes, tight junctions, and sweeping corners along the dam’s edge.

Australia’s stages are known for their flowing corners, loose gravel surface, and spectacular scenery. Notable stages included:

The ‘ball-bearing’ top layer of gravel reduced grip dramatically on first passes, forcing drivers to carefully balance aggression and control.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Mikko Hirvonen & Jarmo Lehtinen · Ford Focus RS WRC 06
2nd Place
Petter Solberg & Phil Mills · Subaru Impreza WRC2006
3rd Place
Manfred Stohl & Ilka Minor · Peugeot 307 WRC

Hirvonen’s composed drive kept him clear of the chaos that befell the championship leaders. Solberg returned to the podium with an aggressive but controlled push, while Stohl delivered another consistent result for Peugeot.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Loose Gravel: Extremely slippery first-pass conditions demanded confidence and clean lines.
  • Dust Management: Hanging dust made visibility tricky in some sections for following cars.
  • Consistency: Avoiding mistakes was the key to surviving the fast but deceptively dangerous stages.

Hirvonen’s breakthrough victory marked the beginning of his emergence as a regular front-runner in the WRC and gave Ford another crucial boost in the manufacturer’s title fight.

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