Rally of Turkey
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The Rally of Turkey was the 13th rally round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) schedule for 2006. It was held from October 13 to October 15, 2006 around Kemer – Kumluca – Antalya in southwestern Turkey on rough, dusty and rocky gravel roads that led up into the mountains where snow sometimes appear. Rally headquarters and the service park were located in Kemer.
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[edit] History
First international rally in Turkey was held in 1972, starting and finishing in İstanbul. In 1999, the idea of creating an all-new event as a WRC candidate was conceived. The next year in 2000, the Anatolian Rally based in İzmir was born. After being observed by the FIA, the rally became an official reserve event for the WRC.
Antalya and Kemer, a holiday region in southwestern Turkey was chosen in 2001 as the start and finish venue for the Anatolian Rally adopting a WRC format. In 2002, first foreign entries took part, Sébastien Loeb in a Citroën Saxo and Juuso Pykalysto in a Peugeot 206 WRC.
Turkey debuted in the World Rally Championship in 2003. The first two years were dedicated to Junior World Rally Championship (JWRC) for gaining experience. In 2005, the Rally of Turkey hosted for the first time Production Car World Rally Championship (PWRC) drivers.
76 rally teams took part in the Rally of Turkey 2005. Only 53 teams finished the total distance of 1,228 km. Repeating his victory of previous year, Sébastien Loeb of France won the cup at 4.21.48.00' with his co-pilot Daniel Elena.
[edit] Future
As is currently stands, 2006 will be the last year in which the Rally of Turkey will be a part of the WRC calender, as it won't be run at 2007.
[edit] Winners
- 2006 – Marcus Grönholm, Ford Focus WRC
- 2005 – Sébastien Loeb, Citroën Xsara WRC
- 2004 – Sébastien Loeb, Citroën Xsara WRC
- 2003 – Carlos Sainz, Citroën Xsara WRC
[edit] See also
- FIA World Rally Championship
- FIA Junior World Rally Championship
- FIA Production Car World Rally Championship
