History 2000s

2006 Wales Rally GB (United Kingdom)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2006 Wales Rally GB (United Kingdom)

Date: December 1–3, 2006

Start Location: Cardiff, Wales

Finish Location: Cardiff, Wales

Total Distance: ~1,253.00 km

Competitive Stages: 359.54 km

Surface: Gravel (muddy, wet, and slippery)

The 2006 Wales Rally GB was a wet and muddy affair through the Welsh forests. With Sébastien Loeb absent due to a broken arm, Marcus Grönholm capitalized to take a commanding victory, though it wasn’t enough to overturn Loeb’s points lead in the championship.

Route

Hafren: Long, flowing stage with slick gravel and constant elevation changes.
Rhondda: Narrow, technical, and lined with thick forestry — mistakes were costly.
Brechfa: A muddy challenge with deep ruts forming after repeated passes.

Wales’ classic forest stages offered low visibility and treacherous grip. Notable stages included:

Fog and rain throughout the weekend kept crews on edge, with pacenote precision crucial for staying on the road.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Marcus Grönholm & Timo Rautiainen · Ford Focus RS WRC 06
2nd Place
Mikko Hirvonen & Jarmo Lehtinen · Ford Focus RS WRC 06
3rd Place
Manfred Stohl & Ilka Minor · Peugeot 307 WRC

Grönholm dominated from start to finish, leading a Ford 1–2 and securing the manufacturers’ title for Ford. Hirvonen impressed again, while Stohl ended the year with another podium for Peugeot.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Rain and Fog: Reduced visibility and slippery surfaces demanded full trust in pacenotes.
  • Muddy Ruts: Deep grooves from earlier cars affected line choice and braking points.
  • Cold Temperatures: Kept tire warm-up and grip management a constant challenge.

Grönholm’s victory ended the season on a high for Ford, but Loeb’s early-season dominance and consistent wins had already secured him the 2006 drivers’ championship despite missing the final rounds.

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