History 2000s

2009 Rally Ireland (Ireland)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2009 Rally Ireland (Ireland)

Date: January 30 – February 1, 2009

Start Location: Sligo, Ireland

Finish Location: Sligo, Ireland

Total Distance: ~1,459.00 km

Competitive Stages: 366.94 km

Surface: Tarmac (muddy, damp, and slippery)

The 2009 WRC season kicked off with Rally Ireland, notorious for its narrow country lanes, constantly changing grip, and unpredictable weather. Loeb wasted no time asserting dominance, delivering a near-flawless performance in soaking wet conditions to take the early championship lead.

Route

Ballinamallard: Narrow roads lined with stone walls and hedges — zero margin for error.

Cavan: High-speed sections broken up by slippery junctions and deceptive cambers.

Donegal Bay: Scenic but treacherous with mixed surfaces and standing water in braking zones.

The rally featured a mix of tight and twisty farm lanes, open countryside runs, and technical junctions. Key stages included:

Frequent rain showers turned already slick tarmac into a treacherous mix of mud, standing water, and polished asphalt, forcing crews to constantly adapt their driving style.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner

Sébastien Loeb & Daniel Elena · Citroën C4 WRC

2nd Place

Dani Sordo & Marc Martí · Citroën C4 WRC

3rd Place

Mikko Hirvonen & Jarmo Lehtinen · Ford Focus RS WRC 08

Citroën started the year with a dominant 1–2 finish, Loeb leading from the first stage to the last. Hirvonen salvaged third for Ford but struggled to match Loeb’s relentless pace in the wet.

Navigation & Challenges

Mud on Tarmac: Cut corners dragged mud across the road, turning braking points into ice-like traps.
Visibility Issues: Rain and spray reduced sight lines, especially in convoy stages.
Tight Road Widths: With no room for error, pace note accuracy was vital.

Loeb’s mastery of changing grip levels and perfect coordination with Elena set the tone for yet another championship-chasing season, making a strong statement from the very first round.

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