Classic. Grönholm, the man who gave the Peugeot 206 WRC its first victory

Le Rally of Sweden 2000 (February 10-13) causes headaches in the clan Peugeot . The three 206 WRC had pitifully left the Monte-Carlo a few weeks earlier, unable to start due to the winter cold. Was this problem going to get worse in Sweden, an even more polar land in February? 

A sign of global warming, temperatures are positive in northern Europe. In fact, snow is almost absent during the first two stages! An extremely rare image in this event. At least the Lion's cars would be warmer...

Marcus Grönholm, for his first full season in the World Rally Championship (WRC), is well aware that he will have his card to play on a terrain to his liking. “Victory is possible, but our priority is to achieve a rally without the slightest problem. So, that might be good. »

Marcus #Grönholm celebrated its 50th anniversary; look back at its iconic cars in #WRC, #Rallycross and even to #PikesPeak >> https://t.co/ubOkNKc1yS pic.twitter.com/SS0w6QEHWs

— AUTOhebdo.fr (@autohebdo) 6th February 2018

In any case, it starts very well for the Finn, accompanied by his co-driver (and brother-in-law) Timo Rautiainen. At the end of the first day, the Nordic duo was 15 seconds ahead of second-placed Thomas Radstrom (Toyota). “We have good feelings. I hope it stays like this for the rest of the weekend,” says Marcus Grönholm. 

On a road made of gravel and ice, the gray Peugeot 205 escapes. On Saturday's first special alone, she doubled her lead over Thomas Radstrom's Toyota Corolla! “However, it’s very easy to take the car off the track.”, indicates François Delecour (Peugeot). 

On Sunday, another flying Finn will tickle Marcus Grönholm: Tommi Mäkinen (Mitsubishi). The outgoing four-time champion, who started 26 seconds late, attacked as the snow finally fell. At the start of the final timed sector, Tommi Mäkinen reduced the margin to just 14 seconds. 

The Peugeot Sport resident will manage to keep a slim advantage of 6”8! “This victory has a special flavor, especially since it was obtained after a fight with Tommi [Mäkinen]. During the last special, I kept asking my co-driver if I was on the right pace. I was driving at I would say 85%.”, recognizes the great Marcus.

“Marcus had a splendid rally, welcomes Corrado Provera, the main team of Peugeot. He took the lead from the second stage, he was able to keep it until the end. Our fight for the Drivers' and Manufacturers' championships begins now. » The Frenchman was right: at the end of the year, both titles would go to the Sochalian brand. 19 years later, the call of the snow was too strong to Marcus Grönholm, who will return to Rally Sweden 2019 in an official Toyota Yaris.