Rally History Archive

South America’s second Dakar delivered a classic: Volkswagen swept the cars podium as Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz edged Nasser Al‑Attiyah/Timo Gottschalk by just 2m12s after ~9,000 km of brutal dunes and rock-strewn tracks.

The Monte returned as the IRC season‑opener. Mikko Hirvonen, guesting in a Ford Fiesta S2000, mastered icy tarmac to win ahead of Juho Hänninen and Nicolas Vouilloz.

WRC’s snowy curtain‑raiser returned after a year away. Mikko Hirvonen charged to victory ahead of Sébastien Loeb and Jari‑Matti Latvala on fast, studded‑tire stages around Karlstad and Hagfors.

León’s high‑altitude gravel punished engines and brakes. Sébastien Loeb seized control on Saturday to win from Petter Solberg, with Sébastien Ogier narrowly third.

Set along the Dead Sea, the Jordan Rally challenged crews with below-sea-level heat, hard-packed gravel, and twisty desert tracks. Sébastien Loeb edged Jari-Matti Latvala in a nail-biting finish.

A return to gravel for the Rally of Turkey brought rough mountain tracks, loose gravel, and mixed asphalt sections. Sébastien Loeb survived a dramatic final day to take his third win of the season.

Smooth cambered gravel and coastal winds set the scene for a dramatic finale in New Zealand. Jari-Matti Latvala capitalized on Loeb’s error to take his first win of the season.

Based in the Algarve, Rally de Portugal’s mix of smooth and rough gravel tested tire endurance and heat management. Sébastien Ogier scored his first WRC win after a tight battle with Loeb and Hirvonen.

Bulgaria’s WRC debut brought pristine asphalt stages in the Rila Mountains. Sébastien Loeb dominated from start to finish, with Dani Sordo securing second for a Citroën 1–2.

The fastest rally of the year saw Jari-Matti Latvala thrill home fans with a near-win, but Sébastien Loeb’s clinical precision secured his third Finland victory.

Returning after a year off the calendar, Rallye Deutschland once again delivered tight vineyard roads, military asphalt, and unpredictable weather. Sébastien Loeb took his eighth straight win on home soil.

Based in Sapporo on Hokkaido island, Rally Japan offered tight, technical gravel stages. Sébastien Ogier capitalized on Loeb’s rare off-form performance to secure his second career win.

Moved from Corsica to Sébastien Loeb’s home region of Alsace, Rallye de France became a celebration for the new seven-time champion as he clinched the 2010 title with a dominant victory.

Spain’s mixed-surface format returned, starting on gravel before switching to asphalt. Sébastien Loeb adapted best, dominating both terrains to secure another victory.

The season finale in Wales brought muddy forest tracks and foggy mornings. Jari-Matti Latvala mastered the treacherous grip to take his second win of the year.

The iconic asphalt round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge featured twisty mountain passes above the Ligurian coast. Paolo Andreucci thrilled home fans with a measured victory for Peugeot.

The third South American Dakar saw Volkswagen continue its dominance in the car category, with Nasser Al-Attiyah finally taking the top spot ahead of Giniel de Villiers and Carlos Sainz.

The centenary edition of Monte Carlo saw icy asphalt and snow-covered cols return in force. Bryan Bouffier’s inspired tire calls propelled him to a stunning upset victory.

The only full-snow event on the calendar saw a fierce duel between Mikko Hirvonen, Mads Østberg, and Jari-Matti Latvala. Hirvonen emerged on top, securing his second Swedish win.

The first gravel rally of the 2011 WRC season brought high-altitude heat and long mountain stages. Sébastien Loeb mastered the conditions to claim his fifth consecutive Mexican victory.

Fast, flowing gravel in the Algarve saw Sébastien Ogier take a statement victory over Loeb and Latvala, signaling a shift in Citroën’s team dynamics.

With the opening day canceled due to shipping delays, the Jordan Rally became the shortest WRC event in history. Sébastien Ogier edged Jari-Matti Latvala by just 0.2 seconds — the closest finish ever in WRC.

Sardinia’s narrow, rocky gravel returned to the calendar, punishing mistakes and mechanical fragility. Sébastien Loeb took a measured victory over Mikko Hirvonen in rough Mediterranean heat.

Argentina’s rugged, varied surfaces set the stage for a fierce fight between Sébastien Loeb, Mikko Hirvonen, and Sébastien Ogier. Loeb won after a late charge on the final day.

Back on the calendar after a year away, the Acropolis Rally delivered punishing heat, rough gravel, and a tight duel between Sébastien Ogier and Sébastien Loeb. Ogier triumphed with a calculated push on the final day.

The ‘Grand Prix on Gravel’ saw Sébastien Loeb battle local specialists in a high-speed fight through Finland’s famous jumps and forest roads. Loeb’s measured aggression delivered another win.

Germany’s tarmac challenge saw Sébastien Ogier topple Loeb’s long-running dominance on home soil. Tight vineyard roads and military asphalt pushed precision to the limit.

Coffs Harbour hosted a dramatic Rally Australia filled with rain-soaked gravel and unpredictable grip. Mikko Hirvonen took a critical win in his title fight with Loeb and Ogier.

Sébastien Ogier took a dramatic win on home soil in Alsace, capitalizing on Loeb’s mechanical retirement. The victory kept the title fight alive heading into the final rounds.

Loeb bounced back in Spain, dominating the mixed-surface rally to reclaim control of the championship ahead of the season finale.

Loeb clinched his eighth consecutive WRC title in the wet and muddy Welsh forests, while Hirvonen’s retirement sealed the championship outcome.

Sébastien Loeb opened the 2012 season with a commanding win in the returning Monte Carlo Rally, mastering treacherous mixed conditions across the Alps.

Jari-Matti Latvala mastered the icy forests to claim his second Rally Sweden victory, edging Mikko Hirvonen in a thrilling Scandinavian duel.

Sébastien Loeb dominated the high-altitude gravel of Mexico for his sixth career win at the event, pulling clear in the championship.

Mads Østberg claimed his first WRC victory in a dramatic Rally de Portugal, which was plagued by torrential rain, mud, and a disqualification that reshaped the results.

Sébastien Loeb overcame a spirited challenge from Mikko Hirvonen to take a record-extending seventh Rally Argentina win on the longest route of the 2012 season.

Sébastien Loeb took his third consecutive win of the season on one of the WRC’s toughest gravel events, extending his championship lead.

Sébastien Loeb claimed his fifth win of the 2012 season on New Zealand’s flowing gravel roads, mastering the high-speed, cambered corners that define this iconic event.

Sébastien Loeb conquered the high-speed jumps and crests of Rally Finland, securing his sixth victory of the season and proving his adaptability across every surface.

Sébastien Loeb’s domination continued as he claimed his ninth consecutive win at Rallye Deutschland, further cementing his tarmac mastery.

Jari-Matti Latvala ended Loeb’s winning streak with a masterful drive in Wales, conquering the slippery gravel stages of Britain’s autumn forests.

Sébastien Loeb sealed his ninth and final WRC drivers’ title with a victory on home soil in Alsace, an emotional moment for the French legend.

Mads Østberg took his first WRC victory after Mikko Hirvonen’s disqualification, showcasing the young Norwegian’s skill on Sardinia’s rough gravel.

Sébastien Loeb closed his full-time WRC career with victory in Spain, mastering the mixed-surface event for a fitting farewell.

Sébastien Loeb made a stunning part-time return to WRC by winning a snow-and-ice-stricken Monte Carlo, proving he was still the man to beat.

Sébastien Ogier claimed Volkswagen’s first WRC victory in only the Polo R WRC’s second event, dominating the frozen roads of Sweden.

Ogier dominated in Mexico, giving Volkswagen its second win in a row with a blistering pace on high-altitude gravel stages.

Ogier continued his winning streak with a third consecutive victory, dominating Portugal’s rough gravel stages.

Sébastien Loeb returned for one of his final WRC appearances and took a thrilling victory over Sébastien Ogier in a head-to-head battle through Argentina’s rugged stages.

Jari-Matti Latvala delivered his first win for Volkswagen, surviving the brutal Acropolis stages that destroyed many contenders’ hopes.

Sébastien Ogier bounced back to form in Sardinia, dominating the dusty island roads for his fourth win of the season.

Sébastien Ogier continued his championship charge with a dominant display in Finland, mastering the legendary high-speed jumps and gravel roads.

Dani Sordo finally broke through for his first career WRC win, mastering the tarmac vineyards and military stages in Germany.

Sébastien Ogier dominated the dusty New South Wales stages to inch closer to his first WRC title with Volkswagen.

Sébastien Ogier clinched his first World Rally Championship title at home in France, a historic moment for Volkswagen’s debut season.

Sébastien Ogier capped off his title-winning season in Spain with a masterful performance across mixed-surface stages.

Jari-Matti Latvala wrapped up the season with a win in Wales’ muddy forests, ending Volkswagen’s debut year on a high.

The 2014 Dakar Rally traversed three countries and delivered some of the most grueling conditions in the event’s South American era, with severe heat, challenging dunes, and mechanical attrition testing even the most experienced crews.

The 2014 Rallye Monte-Carlo combined icy mountain passes with wet asphalt, making tire choice as decisive as driving skill in the opening round of the WRC season.

Opening the 2014 European Rally Championship, the Jännerrallye delivered icy tarmac and snow-lined roads, challenging drivers to maintain precision and consistency over two days of mixed winter conditions.

Latvia’s snow and ice rally presented blisteringly fast frozen roads, rewarding bravery and precise car control in the depths of winter.

The WRC’s only full-snow rally offered blistering pace on frozen gravel and rewarded those most skilled at exploiting snowbanks for cornering advantage.

The first gravel event of the 2014 WRC season, Rally México delivered thin mountain air, punishing rocky roads, and soaring jumps in the Guanajuato region.

Known as one of the roughest rallies in the world, the Acropolis Rally returned as a round of the ERC, offering brutal rock-strewn stages under the Greek sun.

Smooth tarmac, fast corners, and beautiful Atlantic views made the Canary Islands a paradise for asphalt rally specialists in the ERC.

Returning to the Algarve region, Rally de Portugal was a fast but technical gravel challenge known for its unpredictable weather and rough surfaces.

One of the most spectacular gravel rallies in the world, the Azores challenge is run on volcanic roads lined by lush green fields and dramatic cliff edges.

One of the most popular rallies on the calendar, Argentina is known for its passionate fans, rough roads, and iconic water splashes.

Rally d’Italia Sardegna is one of the most technical gravel events in Europe, demanding precision on narrow, rocky tracks surrounded by Mediterranean scenery.

One of Europe’s most famous asphalt rallies, the Ypres Rally features narrow farm roads, deep ditches, and a passionate Belgian fan base.

A lightning-fast gravel rally, Rally Poland is known for long straights, wide corners, and massive fan turnout along the roadside.

Rally Finland, nicknamed the 'Grand Prix on Gravel,' is the fastest rally on the WRC calendar, featuring massive jumps, flat-out corners, and blistering average speeds.

Rallye Deutschland is a diverse asphalt challenge, mixing vineyard switchbacks, military training ground stages, and fast country roads in Germany’s Saarland region.

A legendary ERC asphalt rally, Barum Czech Rally Zlín blends tight city super specials with fast countryside roads lined by unforgiving ditches and trees.

Rally Australia is a gravel classic featuring flowing forest roads and coastal views, offering a mix of technical and high-speed challenges in New South Wales.

A technical asphalt rally winding through France’s Alsace wine region, Rallye de France–Alsace blends fast country roads with tight village streets.

Rally Catalunya is the WRC’s only true mixed-surface event, starting on gravel before switching to high-speed asphalt for the final stages.

The final round of the WRC season, Wales Rally GB is a gravel endurance event set in the cold, damp forests of Wales, where fog, rain, and mud test the mettle of crews.

The Ypres Rally is one of the most prestigious asphalt rallies in Europe, featuring narrow farm roads lined with ditches and sharp junctions in the Belgian countryside.

The 2015 Dakar Rally stretched across Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile, featuring extreme altitude, searing heat, and brutal desert stages that tested endurance beyond the limits of traditional rallying.

The 2015 Jännerrallye opened the ERC season with icy, snow-lined asphalt stages in Austria, demanding precision and grip management from the first kilometer.

A WRC season opener steeped in tradition, the 2015 Rallye Monte-Carlo delivered snow, ice, and drama from the first stage to the last.

A winter rally on Latvia’s frozen roads, Rally Liepāja delivered high-speed action on snow and ice, becoming a standout in the ERC calendar.

The only full-snow round of the WRC, Rally Sweden is a festival of flat-out frozen speed, with studded tires clawing into ice at incredible velocities.

Rally Mexico brought high-altitude heat and punishing gravel stages, testing both engine cooling and crew stamina in the mountains of Guanajuato.

Rally Argentina delivered one of the most grueling gravel challenges in the WRC, with heavy rain turning its iconic stages into mud-filled endurance tests.

Returning to its northern gravel roots, Rally de Portugal delivered sun-baked roads, deep ruts, and massive spectator turnouts.

The legendary Acropolis Rally, part of the ERC in 2015, maintained its fearsome reputation for rough gravel and mechanical attrition.

The Ypres Rally delivered its trademark mix of narrow tarmac farm roads, fast straights, and unpredictable weather, making precision driving essential.

One of the fastest rallies on the WRC calendar, Rally Poland pushed drivers to hold flat-out speeds on narrow, sandy roads lined with unforgiving banks.

Rally Finland lived up to its nickname 'The Grand Prix on Gravel,' delivering breathtaking jumps and average speeds over 130 km/h.

Germany’s only WRC round delivered a unique blend of asphalt stages: military training roads, vineyard climbs, and narrow village lanes.

A punishing gravel and tarmac mix under extreme heat made the Cyprus Rally one of the toughest endurance challenges in the ERC calendar.

Fast, flowing gravel through the Australian bush combined with dust and heat to create one of the most scenic but challenging WRC events.

Corsica’s legendary ‘Rally of 10,000 Corners’ returned to the WRC calendar after a long absence, delivering a rain-soaked challenge on twisting mountain roads.

The season’s only mixed-surface rally demanded two completely different car setups over its opening and closing legs.

A muddy, foggy finale in the Welsh forests capped off another dominant season for Sébastien Ogier and Volkswagen.

The glamorous yet treacherous season opener delivered classic Monte Carlo drama with icy mountain passes, unpredictable weather, and a dominant performance from Sébastien Ogier.

One of the fastest and most spectacular rallies of the year, Rally Sweden brought snowbanks, icy grip, and breathtaking Scandinavian speed.

The high-altitude challenge of Rally Mexico pushed engines, brakes, and crews to their limits under searing heat and thin air.

The rough gravel stages of Argentina returned to deliver punishing terrain, massive water splashes, and passionate fans lining every bend.

Portugal delivered its trademark mix of dusty gravel, cheering crowds, and the legendary Fafe jump to thrill fans worldwide.

Hot, dusty, and brutal on machinery, Sardinia’s stages demanded survival skills as much as outright speed.

One of the fastest events on the calendar, Rally Poland delivered blistering gravel speeds across open farmland and forests.

Known as the 'Grand Prix of Rallying,' Finland once again delivered flat-out gravel action and massive jumps over its iconic crests.

Germany’s asphalt stages challenged drivers with changing surfaces, vineyard hairpins, and the brutal Baumholder military roads.

The ‘Rally of 10,000 Corners’ once again delivered a pure tarmac challenge along Corsica’s winding coastal and mountain roads.

The season’s only true mixed-surface rally, with a dramatic switch from gravel to smooth asphalt mid-event.

Mud, rain, and fog once again defined Britain’s rallying showcase through the forests of Wales.

The WRC season finale in the dusty gravel roads of New South Wales delivered high-speed action under the Australian sun.

The ERC season closer on the rugged gravel of Cyprus combined Mediterranean heat with punishing rocky stages.

The 39th edition of the Dakar Rally brought extreme weather, treacherous Andean stages, and a historic win for Peugeot.

The opening round of the 2017 WRC season marked the debut of a new generation of faster, more aggressive cars.

Austria’s winter classic kicked off the ERC season with snow, ice, and fast tarmac-lined forest stages.

Snowbanks, studded tyres, and flat-out Scandinavian bravery defined the second round of the WRC season.

From colorful street stages to grueling high-altitude mountain roads, Rally Mexico pushed engines and crews to their limits.

Corsica’s ‘Rally of 10,000 Corners’ delivered a pure tarmac challenge with endless hairpins and breathtaking coastal roads.

Rough gravel, wild fans, and massive jumps made Argentina a brutal but spectacular mid-season WRC round.

Portugal’s mix of rough gravel, coastal winds, and massive crowds made for one of the most intense rallies of the season.

Sardinia’s rocky, narrow gravel roads and intense heat created one of the toughest endurance tests of the WRC season.

Fast, flowing gravel stages and unpredictable weather made Rally Poland one of the most thrilling spectacles of the year.

Rally Finland 2017 delivered the usual high-speed spectacle, with incredible jumps and minimal margins for error.

Rallye Deutschland 2017 was a tour-de-force in tarmac rallying, with narrow vineyard lanes, military training grounds, and sudden weather changes.

The only mixed-surface event on the WRC calendar, Rally Spain 2017 challenged teams with a rapid switch from gravel to smooth tarmac.

Wales Rally GB 2017 delivered a classic mix of fog, mud, and unpredictable grip in the Welsh forests.

The final round of the 2017 WRC season, Rally Australia brought dusty gravel, fast forest roads, and tropical weather drama.

The iconic Monte-Carlo opener once again mixed treacherous ice, snow, and dry asphalt, putting tire strategy and adaptability at the forefront.

The only full-snow event of the WRC season, Rally Sweden 2018 was a high-speed winter sprint with record-breaking pace on studded tires.

Hot, high-altitude stages made Rally Mexico 2018 a true endurance test for both drivers and machinery.

Known as the 'Rally of 10,000 Corners,' the 2018 Tour de Corse delivered pure asphalt precision driving along the stunning roads of Corsica.

Rally Argentina 2018 combined rough gravel, river crossings, and passionate fans for one of the WRC’s most exciting events of the season.

The 2018 Rally de Portugal was a fast and dusty gravel rally that delivered drama, massive crowds, and high attrition rates.

The 2018 Rally Italia Sardegna delivered narrow gravel tracks, scorching heat, and nail-biting drama right down to the final stage.

The 2018 Rally Finland was an ultra-fast gravel rally with massive jumps, blind crests, and a passionate home crowd.

The 2018 Rallye Deutschland challenged crews with a blend of vineyard lanes, military asphalt roads, and rapid surface changes.

The 2018 Rally Turkey marked the WRC’s return to the nation’s rugged gravel roads, delivering one of the most punishing events of the year.

The 2018 Wales Rally GB featured slippery gravel, foggy forests, and classic Welsh weather that kept crews on edge all weekend.

The 2018 Rally de España’s unique gravel-tarmac format tested adaptability, with crews switching setups overnight.

The 2018 Rally Australia closed out the season with a dramatic title decider on New South Wales’ fast and narrow gravel roads.

The 2019 Dakar Rally was the first edition to be held entirely within one country, Peru, and featured a loop route starting and finishing in Lima. Its sandy deserts and massive dunes created one of the most visually stunning and navigationally challenging Dakars in history.

The 2019 Rallye Monte-Carlo opened the WRC season with classic winter tarmac tests in the French Alps, where ice patches, snow drifts, and wet asphalt kept drivers guessing corner by corner.

The only full-snow rally on the WRC calendar, Rally Sweden delivered high-speed action on frozen forest roads lined with snowbanks, where commitment and precise car placement were key.

WRC’s annual trip to Mexico brought the first gravel challenge of the season, with intense heat, rough mountain stages, and high-altitude conditions that sapped engine performance.

The ‘Rally of 10,000 Corners’ returned with its famously twisty tarmac stages along the stunning coastline and through the mountains of Corsica, demanding relentless precision from drivers.

One of the roughest rallies on the calendar, Rally Argentina featured river crossings, rocky mountain passes, and passionate fans crowding the stages in huge numbers.

Making its debut on the WRC calendar, Rally Chile brought fast-flowing forest roads, sweeping coastal views, and a brand-new challenge for drivers and teams.

One of the most popular rallies on the calendar, Rally de Portugal delivered fast gravel roads, huge spectator turnout, and the famous Fafe jump finale.

The narrow, sunbaked gravel roads of Sardinia once again delivered high drama, with a nail-biting finish that came down to the very last stage.

Known as the 'Grand Prix of Rallying,' Rally Finland once again delivered blisteringly fast gravel stages, massive jumps, and breathtaking commitment from the drivers.

Germany’s WRC round delivered its signature mix of military asphalt, vineyard hairpins, and unpredictable weather, putting both driver skill and tire strategy to the ultimate test.

One of the roughest events on the WRC calendar, Rally Turkey 2019 was a war of attrition where reliability mattered as much as speed.

Wales Rally GB delivered its signature mix of rain, mud, and fog in 2019, providing one of the most authentic tests of rally skill on the calendar.

Spain’s mixed-surface event brought high-speed gravel and silky-smooth asphalt together for one of the most unique challenges in the WRC.

The 2019 Rally Australia was cancelled due to catastrophic bushfires in New South Wales, marking the first WRC event in history to be called off for safety reasons before it began.