History 2000s

2009 Rally Norway (Norway)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2009 Rally Norway (Norway)

Date: February 13–15, 2009

Start Location: Hamar, Norway

Finish Location: Hamar, Norway

Total Distance: ~1,081.49 km

Competitive Stages: 361.12 km

Surface: Snow and Ice (winter rally)

Rally Norway returned after a two-year absence, bringing with it spectacular snowbanks, frozen lakes, and blisteringly fast snow stages. Hirvonen delivered one of his finest drives, holding off a charging Loeb to claim his first win of the season and level the championship fight early in the year.

Route

Kongsvinger: Fast, flowing roads bordered by high snowbanks — ideal for aggressive cuts.
Mountain Stage: Climbs and descents through forests with varying grip due to sun and shade.
Lillehammer: A mix of open blasts and intricate junctions, requiring quick transitions between high and low speeds.

The rally showcased Norway’s unique blend of flat-out snow roads and tight technical sections. Key stages included:

Studded tires gave incredible grip, but the constantly changing snow density meant braking points had to be adjusted from corner to corner.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Mikko Hirvonen & Jarmo Lehtinen · Ford Focus RS WRC 08
2nd Place
Sébastien Loeb & Daniel Elena · Citroën C4 WRC
3rd Place
Jari-Matti Latvala & Miikka Anttila · Ford Focus RS WRC 08

Hirvonen and Loeb swapped stage wins throughout the weekend, with the Finn ultimately securing victory by managing risks better in the final icy stages.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Snowbank Usage: Drivers leaned on snowbanks to carry more corner speed, but clipping them too hard could suck the car in.
  • Variable Grip: Sunlit sections melted slightly, creating slippery patches between otherwise grippy ice.
  • Pace Note Precision: Blind crests and long high-speed corners made co-driver timing crucial.

Hirvonen’s disciplined snow driving and strategic approach to tire management earned him a much-needed win, setting up a fierce title battle with Loeb for the rest of the season.

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