History 2000s

2009 Rally d'Italia Sardegna (Italy)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2009 Rally d'Italia Sardegna (Italy)

Date: May 22–24, 2009

Start Location: Olbia, Sardinia

Finish Location: Olbia, Sardinia

Total Distance: ~1,164.36 km

Competitive Stages: 344.73 km

Surface: Gravel (rough, narrow, technical)

After four consecutive wins to start the season, Loeb was expected to dominate again. Instead, Hirvonen kept a steady pace on the rocky Sardinian tracks, pressuring Loeb into a rare mistake that ultimately opened the door for Ford’s first win of the year.

Route

Monte Lerno: The rally’s longest stage, demanding concentration with its mix of rocky crests, hairpins, and blind corners.
Coiluna–Loelle: High-speed sections transitioning into technical, bumpy lanes through farmland.
Grighine Sud: Rough, rutted gravel with embedded rocks — a true test of tire endurance.

Sardinia’s gravel stages are infamous for their narrow lines, rock-strewn surfaces, and punishing temperatures. Key stages included:

Dry and sunny conditions meant maximum dust and low visibility for following crews, making starting position a key factor in performance.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Mikko Hirvonen & Jarmo Lehtinen · Ford Focus RS WRC 08
2nd Place
Jari-Matti Latvala & Miikka Anttila · Ford Focus RS WRC 08
3rd Place
Petter Solberg & Phil Mills · Citroën Xsara WRC

Loeb’s uncharacteristic crash into a roadside barrier on Saturday ended his victory hopes, allowing Ford to lock out the top two steps of the podium and claim maximum manufacturer points.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Dust Clouds: With almost no wind, visibility was a nightmare for chasing crews.
  • Embedded Rocks: Tire preservation was critical — one puncture could drop a driver multiple positions.
  • Heat Management: High cockpit temperatures tested driver stamina over long days.

Hirvonen’s measured pace and smart tire strategy proved decisive, breaking Loeb’s early-season stranglehold on the championship and reigniting Ford’s hopes for a title fight.

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