20 years ago: the story of the only WRC Rally of China

The 11th round of the 1999 season of WRC takes competitors to Guangdong province, located in southeastern China. The event replaces the Indonesian meeting (which has never returned to the WRC since) and takes place after the Rally of Finland, won a few weeks earlier by veteran Juha Kankkunen (Subaru). 

The event takes place on dirt tracks and includes 22 special stages for a timed distance of 319 km. Despite the youth of the China Rally, which is only in its third edition, 71 crews are at the start. 

Some pilots are also concerned by the behavior of the Chinese on the course, as explained by Carlos Sainz (Toyota). “I don’t know if this country is suitable to host a World Cup rally. 

He is not used to seeing cars being driven at high speed on the roads. I imagine it's complicated. I don't know how this will play out, I'm a little worried. »

“During the reconnaissance, we passed through several villages, where the inhabitants are close to the route, says Luis Moya, his co-pilot. In Europe, this would be unthinkable. Fingers crossed, with the organization behind us, I hope to do the best possible but I am not completely confident. »

Population density poses a real concern. “On 30 km special stages, you can come across 5 Chinese, walking on the side of the road or on bicycles, report Jesus Puras (Toyota). It’s dangerous terrain, I hope the organizers will be vigilant. »

Colin McRae-Nicky Grist (Ford) is one of two crews to have already driven in China when the rally was part of the Asian championship. The British are therefore favorites, but twist! After two terminals in SS1, a torn right front suspension put an end to their effort. 

Team M-Sport est décimée, puisque Thomas Radström subit pareil sort au même endroit. Les tentes sont pliées dès le vendredi pour le personnel de Malcolm Wilson. 

Under the gray, Tommi Mäkinen (Mitsubishi) and Risto Mannisenmäki take the lead. A first warning for the Lancer Evo comes in the form of a tree coming out of a tight corner. Bodywork crushed at the level of the left rear passenger door, the sedan is repaired by the mechanics at the assistance. 

Unfortunately, despite this intense work, the Finns were one second late leaving the park; penalized by 10 seconds, they fell to third place in the general classification. 

This benefits Richard Burns and Robert Reid (Subaru) who take the lead at the end of the first stage. But the next day, Didier Auriol (Toyota) sounded the charge! The Frenchman, accompanied by Denis Giraudet, caught up and then overtook the Impreza halfway, despite engine shutdowns linked to a ford crossing. 

A new double retirement hits the same team, that of Mitsubishi. After a roll from Freddy Loix, it’s Tommi Mäkinen who throws in the towel. “It was very slippery when braking and I hit a rock. » A hell of a blow for the outgoing champion, let down by his clutch in Finland. 

The last step takes the form ofa duel between Didier Auriol and Richard Burns. Starting with a lead of 10''9, the Frenchman didn't ask any questions about the fastest times. He won his 19th WRC victory, 55” ahead of the Prodrive driver. 

“The organization was perfect, there is nothing to say, everything was very safe, concluded the 1994 champion. The drivers complained about the winding of the roads, but we are in a World Championship, it is interesting to have varied courses. I appreciated. »

WRC will finally replace Rally China with Cyprus one year later. In 2016, the paddock was due to return to the province of Beijing at the beginning of September, but torrential downpours having damaged the roads, the test was canceled. 

However, the Middle Kingdom could return to the forefront of the WRC scene. Yves Matton, Director of the Rally Commission at the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) declared exclusively in issue 2234 AUTOhebdo (on sale in digital and on newsstands): “There are three destinations in which the championship will have a round: China, North America and Russia. »