History 2000s

2008 Rally d’Italia Sardegna (Italy)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2008 Rally d’Italia Sardegna (Italy)

Date: May 15–18, 2008

Start Location: Olbia, Sardinia

Finish Location: Olbia, Sardinia

Total Distance: ~1,127.54 km

Competitive Stages: 344.73 km

Surface: Gravel (loose, rocky)

Back on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, drivers faced scorching temperatures, tight gravel tracks, and a punishingly rocky surface that punished every mistake. Loeb managed the perfect balance of speed and preservation, retaking momentum in the title fight against Hirvonen.

Route

Monte Lerno: Home to the rally’s longest and most demanding section, with the infamous “Micky’s Jump.”
Coiluna–Loelle: A mix of open and twisty sections with loose gravel on top of a hard base.
Su Filigosu: A rugged, rock-lined track requiring perfect tire placement.

The Sardinian route is famous for its narrow, technical stages bordered by rocks, bushes, and drops. Standout stages included:

Dust clouds were a major visibility challenge for following cars, making road order a crucial factor.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Sébastien Loeb & Daniel Elena · Citroën C4 WRC
2nd Place
Mikko Hirvonen & Jarmo Lehtinen · Ford Focus RS WRC 07
3rd Place
Jari-Matti Latvala & Miikka Anttila · Ford Focus RS WRC 07

Loeb’s ability to avoid punctures and maintain pace through the island’s toughest sections gave him a narrow but decisive win over Hirvonen, with Latvala rounding out the podium.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Rock Hazards: Straying even slightly off line risked wheel and suspension damage.
  • Heat: Both drivers and cars battled high cockpit temperatures and mechanical strain.
  • Dust: Thick plumes hung in the air, forcing absolute trust in pace notes.

Loeb’s Sardinian win was a masterclass in combining raw speed with mechanical sympathy, keeping his championship campaign firmly on track.

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