France's Sebastien Loeb crowned another triumphant season with a come-from-behind victory in the Wales Rally GB.
The five-time world champion trailed Finland's Jari-Matti Latvala by more than two seconds going into the 19th and final special stage on Sunday.
But he produced a stunning performance in his Citroen C4 to beat the overnight leader by 2.7 seconds in the end.
The victory meant Citroen won the constructors title, dethroning Ford, who had won in 2006 and 2007.
Frenchman Loeb had already been crowned world champion
However, as he has done so often this season, the 34-year-old ultimately prevailed for his 47th career success. Significantly, it was his first in the mountains and forests of Wales.
Petter Solberg and Phil Mills took a solid fourth for Subaru after a fine run in his Impreza while Per-Gunnar Andersson was fifth for Suzuki, equalling his best result of the season.
Seeded 54th, Mark Higgins driving the the Subaru Impreza WRX Sti with co-driver Rory Kennedy retired from the race due to a mechanical fault with the car whilst brother David and co-driver Ieuan Thomas, seeded 59th and also driving a Subaru Impreza WRX STi finished in 29th place.
The stages
Friday 5 December - Hafren
After a seven year absence, Wales Rally GB returned to the renowned Hafren stage that uses the classic smooth roads of this Mid Wales forest. The stage route was little changed from that used in the past and was characterised by very long corners and at its highest point passes very close to the source of the River Severn. This stage, as well as Sweet Lamb and Myherin, are always popular with rally fans travelling from the Midlands or the North.
Friday 5 December - Sweet Lamb
Straight after Hafren, the spectator section through Sweet Lamb was been split into a separate stage. This short stage offered extensive viewing from the hillsides around the Sweet Lamb Bowl where the cars are visible for over 1 mile as they traversed a deep watersplash, jumps and hairpin bends before crossing the River Wye by a ford.
Friday 5 December - Myherin
This was the second major forest area that makes a return to this year's route. Situated to the south of the A44, this forest has been the scene of a large wind farm development in recent years and the stage route was considerably different to that used in previous years. The roads vary from narrow forestry tracks to wide roads over the open moorland used by the lorry to bring the large wind turbines to the site
Saturday 6 December - Halfway
Located on the Epynt Military Ranges this stage was run in the reverse direction to recent years and had two distinct sections. The first part of the stage was very wide and fast over open moorland on the Army gravel roads with jumps and corners on crests to catch the unwary. The second part was through classic forest roads with long corners.
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Richard Hope, Swansea
I've been out again this year (Saturday evening through to the Sunday afternoon) as an emergency radio operator supporting the Rally organisers, marshalls etc. At the Rhigos control site it was -5C, still snow from last week, didn't see a rally car this year. But thoroughly enjoyed it contributing what I am able to do as do many others, marshalls, first aiders and support organisations. Good to have the Rally not only for the local people but also for the many supporters from all over Europe that follow the event. I have already pencilled myself in for 2009 to do the same.
Sun Dec 7 16:29:11 2008
Steph Adams from Rhayader
Great to see so many exiting cars but took my life in my hands driving the school minibus along the A470. Rally cars overtaking on double white lines into oncoming traffic on blind bends.not clever and spoils the reputation of a great sport.
Sat Dec 6 18:17:58 2008
Paul Holt
This is apparently the most popular spectator sport in the country, so where is the TV Coverage?
Sat Dec 6 18:15:57 2008
Matt, Liverpool
I didn't realise that it was on! I used to be a massive rally fan and used to watch all of the rounds of the WRC on terrestrial TV. I remember when the rally visited Liverpool (1985 I think) and I went down to the Albert Dock with my dad to see the group B cars like the Lancia Delta S4 and the Ford RS200. I also went into the forests of North Wales in 1994 to see it. Then, coverage got less and less on TV and the satelite/cable channels started to show it! Which channel is showing it this year?
Sat Dec 6 18:14:39 2008
jan bedfordshire
What has happened to rallying? canceling stages because they are a bit slippy! I thought that challenging conditions was half the idea.
Fri Dec 5 17:51:26 2008
Jhon Smith from Newcastle-upon-Tyne
I love the wrc rally and always go to cardiff only to see it and I try to go to all stages I can.
Tue Apr 8 09:25:51 2008
Jason from Grimsby
What happened to the British rally of old, which took in England, Scotland and Wales?I used to enjoy spectating in the grounds of the stately homes, then in the forests of the East Yorkshire, the Scottish border, the Lake District and Wales. Rally cars making their way from special stage to special stage was a true spectacle for all to see.Unfortunately, the powers that be have decided to charge extortionate amounts for tickets, so I’ll be taking my business to Monte Carlo next year. The trip won’t actually cost much more than watching it in this country and we’ll be attending the most well known rally of them all.Good luck to all the local lads! We have a couple of talented British lads coming through the ranks, but it would be nice to see the Brits back at the top of this sport.
Fri Nov 30 12:17:34 2007
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