Peugeot 307 WRC explained

Car Name:Peugeot 307 WRC
Category:World Rally Car
Constructor:Peugeot Sport
Predecessor:Peugeot 206 WRC
Wrc:yes
Technical Ref:[1] [2]
Length:43441NaN1
Width:17701NaN1
Height:13701NaN1
Wheelbase:26101NaN1
Capacity:19971NaN1
Configuration:I4
Turbo/Na:turbocharged
Engine Position:
Front transverse
Gears:Five-speed sequential
Type:
4-wheel drive
Weight:12301NaN1
Debut: 2004 Monte Carlo Rally
First Win: 2004 Rally Finland
Last Win: 2005 Rally Japan
Races:36
Podiums:26
Wins:3
Titles:0

The Peugeot 307 WRC is a World Rally Car based on the Peugeot 307 road car. It was used by Peugeot Sport, Peugeot's factory team, and replaced the championship-winning 206 WRC from 2004 to 2005 in the World Rally Championship.

Competition history

The vehicle was plagued by transmission problems throughout its career, and the works team's drivers' driving styles did not suit the car's handling characteristics.[3] In 2004, the car took seven podiums and a maiden win in Rally Finland, but it was not able to challenge for the championship as Marcus Grönholm finished fifth in the drivers' championship and Peugeot fourth in the manufacturers' championship.[4]

The 2005 season was more successful, and Peugeot was a serious challenger for the manufacturers' championship, leading the championship after round 10, but the challenge faded after Markko Märtin's retirement from rallying following the death of Martin's co-driver Michael Park during the 2005 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-placed Petter Solberg. Grönholm took victories at Rally Finland and Rally Japan along 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 of 2005 by PSA's decision to withdraw the factory teams of both Citroën and Peugeot from top level rallying.[7] A private undertaking by seasoned Peugeot preparatory firm Bozian Racing, dubbed OMV Peugeot Norway World Rally Team, largely assumed responsibility for the running of WRC specification 307s for the following season of 2006. Manfred Stohl and Henning Solberg were 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 the Rally Finland in 2004 and 2005 as well as at the Rally Japan in 2005.[1] [2]

The 307 WRC will be remembered for the accident that befell WRC competitors Markko Märtin and Michael Park on September 18, 2005, which resulted in co-driver Park's death. On stage 15 of Wales 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 since Rodger Freeth in 1993.[9]

WRC victories

No.EventSeasonDriverCo-driver
1 2004 Rally Finland Marcus Grönholm Timo Rautiainen
2 2005 Rally Finland Marcus Grönholm Timo Rautiainen
3 2005 Rally Japan Marcus Grönholm Timo Rautiainen

WRC results

YearEntrantDriver12345678910111213141516TCPoints
2004Peugeot Sport Marcus GrönholmMON
4
SWE
2
MEX
6
NZL
2
CYP
DSQ
GRC
Ret
TUR
2
ARG
Ret
FIN
1
GER
Ret
JPN
4
GBR
Ret
ITA
7
FRA
4
ESP
2
AUS
Ret
4th101
Freddy LoixMON
5
SWE
Ret
ESP
Ret
Harri RovanperäMEX
10
NZL
5
CYP
DSQ
GRC
3
TUR
Ret
ARG
5
FIN
Ret
JPN
6
GBR
6
ITA
Ret
AUS
2
Cédric RobertGER
5
FRA
Ret
Freddy LoixMEXNZLCYPGRCTURARGFINGER
6
JPNGBRITAFRA
7
AUS
Sebastian LindholmMONSWEMEXNZLCYPGRCTURARGFIN
Ret
GERJPNGBRITAFRAESPAUS
Daniel CarlssonMONSWEMEXNZLCYPGRCTURARGFINGERJPNGBR
Ret
ITAFRAESPAUS
2005Peugeot Sport Marcus GrönholmMON
5
SWE
Ret
MEX
2
NZL
2
ITA
3
CYP
Ret
TUR
3
GRC
4
ARG
2
FIN
1
GER
3
GBR
Ret
JPN
1
FRA
Ret
ESP
Ret
AUS
Ret
2nd135
Markko MärtinMON
4
SWE
2
MEX
3
NZL
5
ITA
4
CYP
3
TUR
5
GRC
8
ARG
6
FIN
3
GER
4
GBR
Ret
Daniel CarlssonJAP
8
AUS
Ret
Nicolas BernardiFRA
8
ESP
6
Daniel CarlssonMONSWE
6
MEXNZLITACYPTURGRCARGFINGERGBRFRAESP
Sebastian LindholmMONSWEMEXNZLITACYPTURGRCARGFIN
Ret
GERGBRJAPFRAESPAUS

Notes and References

  1. News: Peugeot 307 WRC. juwra.com. 10 November 2019.
  2. News: Peugeot 307 WRC Evo2. juwra.com. 10 November 2019.
  3. Web site: Peugeot 307 Profile. rallye-info.com. 20 October 2019. 20 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191120130019/http://www.rallye-info.com/carmodel.asp?car=256. dead.
  4. Web site: Finland Rally . juwra.com. 22 March 2017.
  5. News: Angry Martin wants rally overhaul. 12 January 2006.
  6. Web site: Rally Japan 2005. 18 September 2014.
  7. Web site: Peugeot rules out WRC return. autocar.co.uk. 9 November 2009. 10 November 2019.
  8. Web site: Michael Park killed in Rally of Great Britain. motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. 20 September 2005. 18 September 2014.
  9. Web site: Not forgotten – Rodger Freeth. amcn.com. 8 September 2017. 10 November 2019.