History 2000s

2008 Rally Finland (Finland)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2008 Rally Finland (Finland)

Date: July 31 – August 3, 2008

Start Location: Jyväskylä, Finland

Finish Location: Jyväskylä, Finland

Total Distance: ~1,421.00 km

Competitive Stages: 340.00 km

Surface: Gravel (fast, flowing, with big jumps)

The Rally Finland, affectionately nicknamed the “Finnish Grand Prix,” delivered another year of breathtaking speed, massive jumps, and flat-out bravery. Mikko Hirvonen, under intense pressure from Sébastien Loeb, kept his cool to secure a home victory in front of a passionate Finnish crowd.

Route

Ouninpohja: Legendary high-speed rollercoaster with massive jumps and blind crests — absolute commitment required.
Jukojärvi: A balance of flat-out stretches and tighter technical portions through dense forests.
Myhinpää: Fast gravel with narrow tree-lined sections — any mistake here could be rally-ending.

This year’s route blended classic Finnish stages with some new technical sections to challenge crews. Key stages included:

Road position was critical, as sweeping loose gravel could cost precious tenths per corner in a rally decided by seconds.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Mikko Hirvonen & Jarmo Lehtinen · Ford Focus RS WRC 07
2nd Place
Sébastien Loeb & Daniel Elena · Citroën C4 WRC
3rd Place
Chris Atkinson & Stéphane Prévot · Subaru Impreza WRC2008

Hirvonen built a lead on day one and maintained it through relentless pressure from Loeb. Atkinson’s podium was a highlight for Subaru, showcasing their improvements with the new Impreza.

Navigation & Challenges

  • High-Speed Precision: Co-drivers had to be flawless with calls — even the smallest hesitation could cost victory.
  • Jumps and Landings: Keeping the car stable mid-air and landing on the right line was vital to carry momentum.
  • Gravel Sweep: Early runners struggled with loose gravel — Hirvonen’s strategy minimized its impact.

Hirvonen’s victory in Finland was one of the most emotional moments of the 2008 season, marking a career highlight and energizing the championship battle heading into the latter half of the year.

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