(bke) Team Ford, which had already secured the manufacturer’s title in Ireland, finished the final rally of the season with a magnificent one-two: Mikko Hirvonen took the victory ahead of Marcus Gronholm, who was competing in his 150th rally and retires from the FIA World Rally Championship this year.
With his 30 career wins and the world championship titles in 2000 and 2002, Marcus Grönholm is seen as one of the greatest rally drivers of all time. However, a 3rd place was sufficient for Sébastien Loeb (Citroen) to claim his fourth driver’s title in a row with a lead of only four points.