History 2000s

2008 Wales Rally GB (United Kingdom)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2008 Wales Rally GB (United Kingdom)

Date: December 5–7, 2008

Start Location: Cardiff, Wales

Finish Location: Cardiff, Wales

Total Distance: ~1,379.99 km

Competitive Stages: 348.00 km

Surface: Gravel (muddy, damp forest roads)

The final round of the 2008 WRC season delivered the classic mix of mud, mist, and high drama that Wales Rally GB is known for. Sébastien Loeb, already crowned champion after Rally Japan, delivered yet another flawless performance to end the year in style.

Route

Hafren: Long, flowing gravel through dense forest with frequent surface changes.
Sweet Lamb: A technical mix of fast blasts and tight hairpins in open terrain.
Rhondda: Narrow and twisty with blind crests — a true test of bravery and rhythm.

The rally traversed Wales’ most famous forest stages, combining slippery gravel with unpredictable weather. Iconic stages included:

Persistent rain and morning fog made visibility and grip major challenges for crews all weekend.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Sébastien Loeb & Daniel Elena · Citroën C4 WRC
2nd Place
Dani Sordo & Marc Martí · Citroën C4 WRC
3rd Place
Jari-Matti Latvala & Miikka Anttila · Ford Focus RS WRC 07

Loeb controlled the rally from the outset, with Sordo backing up Citroën’s dominance. Latvala salvaged a podium for Ford, but the wet Welsh stages favored the Citroën package.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Mud and Standing Water: Constant rain created deep ruts and slippery cambers.
  • Fog and Mist: Reduced visibility increased reliance on precise pace notes.
  • Changing Grip Levels: Alternating between compact gravel and soft mud tested driver adaptability.

Loeb’s mastery of conditions and perfect coordination with Elena made for a fitting finale to a season where the pair proved nearly untouchable, cementing their legacy with a fifth straight world championship.

← Previous Event 2008 Rally Japan (Japan)
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