ThePeugeot 307 WRCis aWorld Rally Carbased on thePeugeot 307road car. It was used byPeugeot Sport,Peugeot's factory team, and replaced the championship-winning206 WRCfrom2004to2005in theWorld Rally Championship.
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| Category | World Rally Car | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Peugeot Sport | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Peugeot 206 WRC | ||||||||
| Technical specifications[1][2] | |||||||||
| Length | 4,344 mm (171.0 in) | ||||||||
| Width | 1,770 mm (69.7 in) | ||||||||
| Height | 1,370 mm (53.9 in) | ||||||||
| Wheelbase | 2,610 mm (102.8 in) | ||||||||
| Engine | 1,997 cc (121.9 cu in)I4turbocharged Front transverse | ||||||||
| Transmission | Five-speed sequential 4-wheel drive | ||||||||
| Weight | 1,230 kg (2,711.7 lb) | ||||||||
| Tyres | |||||||||
| Competition history (WRC) | |||||||||
| Notable entrants | |||||||||
| Notable drivers | |||||||||
| Debut |  2004 Monte Carlo Rally | ||||||||
| First win |  2004 Rally Finland | ||||||||
| Last win |  2005 Rally Japan | ||||||||
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Competition history
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The vehicle was plagued by transmission problems throughout its career, and the works team's drivers' driving styles did not suit the car'shandlingcharacteristics.[3]In2004,the car took seven podiums and a maiden win inRally Finland,but it was not able to challenge for the championship asMarcus Grönholmfinished fifth in the drivers' championship and Peugeot fourth in the manufacturers' championship.[4]
The2005 seasonwas more successful, and Peugeot was a serious challenger for the manufacturers' championship, leading the championship after round 10, but the challenge faded afterMarkko Märtin's retirement from rallying following the death of Martin'sco-driverMichael Parkduring the2005 Wales Rally of Great Britain.[3][5]Peugeot ultimately finished second in the manufacturers' championship, while Grönholm finished third in the drivers' championship, tied on points with second-placedPetter Solberg.Grönholm took victories atRally FinlandandRally Japanalong with six other podium finishes, while Märtin took four further podiums.[6]
The car saw its factory supported competition life cut short at the end of2005byPSA's decision to withdraw the factory teams of bothCitroënand Peugeot from top level rallying.[7]A private undertaking by seasoned Peugeot preparatory firmBozian Racing,dubbedOMV Peugeot Norway World Rally Team,largely assumed responsibility for the running of WRC specification 307s for the following season of2006.Manfred StohlandHenning Solbergwere named as the driving personnel. Stohl impressively placed fourth in the overall drivers' standings, and the 307 WRC took seven podiums by privateer teams that season.
Overall, the car has three WRC victories and 26 podiums to its name, Marcus Grönholm having driven it to the top of the podium in the series at theRally Finlandin2004and2005as well as at theRally Japanin2005.[1][2]
The 307 WRC will be remembered for the accident that befell WRC competitorsMarkko MärtinandMichael Parkon September 18, 2005, which resulted inco-driverPark's death. On stage 15 ofWales Rally GB,Märtin lost control of his 307 WRC and collided with a tree, killing Park instantly.[8]This was the first fatality in a WRC event sinceRodger Freethin1993.[9]
WRC victories
edit| No. | Event | Season | Driver | Co-driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2004 Rally Finland
|
2004 | Marcus Grönholm
|
Timo Rautiainen
|
| 2 | 2005 Rally Finland
|
2005 | Marcus Grönholm
|
Timo Rautiainen
|
| 3 | 2005 Rally Japan
|
2005 | Marcus Grönholm
|
Timo Rautiainen
|
WRC results
editReferences
edit- ^ab"Peugeot 307 WRC".juwra.Retrieved10 November2019.
- ^ab"Peugeot 307 WRC Evo2".juwra.Retrieved10 November2019.
- ^ab"Peugeot 307 Profile".rallye-info.Archived fromthe originalon 20 November 2019.Retrieved20 October2019.
- ^"Finland Rally".juwra.Retrieved22 March2017.
- ^"Angry Martin wants rally overhaul".12 January 2006.
- ^"Rally Japan 2005".Retrieved18 September2014.
- ^"Peugeot rules out WRC return".autocar.co.uk.9 November 2009.Retrieved10 November2019.
- ^"Michael Park killed in Rally of Great Britain".motorsport.Motorsport Network.20 September 2005.Retrieved18 September2014.
- ^"Not forgotten – Rodger Freeth".amcn.8 September 2017.Retrieved10 November2019.
External links
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