TheRally of Turkey(also known asAnatolian Rally) is arallycompetition on theFIAWorld Rally Championship(WRC) schedule.

Rally of Turkey
Statusactive
Genremotorsporting event
CountryTurkey
Inaugurated2000

History

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First international rally in Turkey was held in 1972, starting and finishing inIstanbul.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 inİzmirwas 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 Loebin aCitroën SaxoandJuuso Pykälistöin aPeugeot 206 WRC.

Turkey debuted in the World Rally Championship in the2003 seasonin which only 27 of the 62 entries finished. The first two years were dedicated toJunior World Rally Championship(JWRC) for gaining experience. In2005,the Rally of Turkey hosted for the first timeProduction Car World Rally Championship(PWRC) drivers.

76 rally teams took part in the 2005 Rally of Turkey. Only 53 teams finished the total distance of 1,228 km. Repeating his victory of previous year, Sébastien Loeb ofFrancewon the cup at 4.21.48.00' with hisco-driverDaniel Elena.

The 2006 event was held from October 13 to October 15, 2006 aroundKemer– Kumluca –Antalyain southwesternTurkeyon rough, gravel roads up into occasionally snowy mountain roads. Rally headquarters and the service park were located in Kemer.

The Rally of Turkey returned to the WRC calendar in for the2008 season.The2008 Rally of Turkeytook place between June 12–15 and was won byMikko Hirvonenahead ofJari-Matti LatvalaandSébastien Loeb.The rally was removed from the calendar after the2010event.

The Rally of Turkey was revived for the2018 championshipas a replacement forRally Poland.[1][2]The event was based in the town ofMarmarisinMuğla Province.[3]

Winners

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Pink background indicates that in that year the rally was not part ofWRCcalendar.

Season Name Driver Car Report
2000 1. Anatolian Rally Volkan Isik Subaru Impreza WRC
2001 2. Anatolian Rally Serkan Yazici Toyota Corolla WRC
2002 3. Anatolian Rally Ercan Kazaz Subaru Impreza WRX
2003 4. Rally of Turkey Carlos Sainz Citroën Xsara WRC Report
2004 5. Rally of Turkey Sébastien Loeb Citroën Xsara WRC Report
2005 6. Rally of Turkey Sébastien Loeb Citroën Xsara WRC Report
2006 7. Rally of Turkey Marcus Grönholm Ford Focus RS WRC 06 Report
2007 8. Rally of Turkey Nicolas Vouilloz Peugeot 207 S2000 Report
2008 9. Rally of Turkey Mikko Hirvonen Ford Focus RS WRC 07 Report
2010 10. Rally of Turkey Sébastien Loeb Citroën C4 WRC Report
2018 11. Marmaris Rally of Turkey Ott Tänak Toyota Yaris WRC Report
2019 12. Marmaris Rally of Turkey Sébastien Ogier Citroën C3 WRC Report
2020 13. Marmaris Rally of Turkey Elfyn Evans Toyota Yaris WRC Report

References

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  1. ^"Rally Aus retains WRC finale in 2018".speedcafe.22 September 2017.Retrieved23 September2017.
  2. ^Evans, David (4 November 2017)."WRC 2018: Teams back Turkey's return after candidate event success".autosport.Motorsport Network.Retrieved5 November2017.
  3. ^"Rally Catalunya preview".2017 World Rally Championship season.September 2017.WRC Promoter GmbH.
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