1998 World Rally Championship

The 1998 World Rally Championship was the 26th season of the FIA World Rally Championship. The season consisted of 13 rallies. Tommi Mäkinen won his third consecutive drivers' world championship driving for Mitsubishi, ahead of Carlos Sainz and Colin McRae. The manufacturers' title was won by Mitsubishi (who still operated under Group A regulations), ahead of Toyota and Subaru. This year also marked the Ford Escort's last full-season works outing before being replaced by the Ford Focus WRC in 1999. The season ended in dramatic fashion when Carlos Sainz's Corolla WRC stopped approximately 300 metres from the finishing line in the final stage at Margam due to mechanical failure, thus surrendering his fourth place on the rally and handing the title to Mäkinen.

1998 World Rally Championship
World Drivers' Champion:
Tommi Mäkinen
World Manufacturers' Champion:
Mitsubishi
Previous: 1997 Next: 1999

Calendar

The 1998 championship was contested over thirteen rounds in Europe, Africa, South America and Oceania.

Round Dates Race
1 19–21 January Monte Carlo Rally
2 6–8 February Swedish Rally
3 28 February-2 March Safari Rally
4 22–25 March Rally Portugal
5 20–22 April Rally Catalunya
6 4–6 May Tour de Corse
7 20–23 May Rally Argentina
8 7–9 June Acropolis Rally
9 24–27 July Rally New Zealand
10 21–23 August Rally Finland
11 12–14 October Rally Sanremo
12 5–8 November Rally Australia
13 22–24 November Rally of Great Britain

Teams and drivers

Team Constructor Car Tyre No Drivers Rounds
Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III
Lancer Evolution IV
Lancer Evolution V
M 1 Tommi Mäkinen All
2 Richard Burns All
15 Ed Ordynski 12
16 Uwe Nittel 1–2, 4–5, 8, 10
555 Subaru World Rally Team Subaru Impreza 555
Impreza WRC 98
P 3 Colin McRae All
4 Piero Liatti 1, 3–9, 11–12
Kenneth Eriksson 2
Jarmo Kytölehto 10
Alister McRae 13
10 Piero Liatti 2
12 Ari Vatanen 13
13 Possum Bourne 12
15 Juha Kangas 13
Toyota Castrol Team Toyota Corolla WRC
Celica GT-Four ST205
M 5 Carlos Sainz All
6 Didier Auriol 1, 3–4, 6–13
Thomas Rådström 2
Freddy Loix 5
9 Didier Auriol 2, 5
11 Freddy Loix 4, 8, 12
Marcus Grönholm 2, 4–5, 9–10, 13
12 Neal Bates 12
14 Thomas Rådström 9
15 Thomas Rådström 4–5, 8, 10
16 Yoshio Fujimoto 9, 12
18 Isolde Holderied 6, 8
27 Henrik Lundgaard 13
34 Volkan Isik 4-6, 8, 10-13
37 Pedro Chaves 4
Ford Motor Co Ltd Ford Escort WRC M 7 Juha Kankkunen All
8 Bruno Thiry 1–2, 5–13
Ari Vatanen 3–4
11 Ari Vatanen 10
SEAT Sport SEAT Córdoba WRC P 9 Harri Rovanperä 10–13
10 Oriol Gómez 10
Marc Duez 11–12
Gwyndaf Evans 13
Peugeot Sport Peugeot 306 Maxi M 11 François Delecour 1, 5–6, 11
14 Gilles Panizzi 1, 5–6, 11
25 Manuel Muniente 5
28 Adruzilo Lopes 1, 4–5
Citroën Sport Citroën Xsara F2 M 12 Philippe Bugalski 5–6, 11
16 Jesús Puras 5, 11
Fabien Doenlen 6
19 Patrick Magaud 6, 11
Renault Sport Renault Mégane Maxi M 19 Martin Rowe 6, 11, 13
21 Luís Climent 5
25 Tapio Laukkanen 6, 10–11, 13
28 Nejat Avci 9, 12
32 José Carlos Macedo 4
35 Jonas Kruse 2, 4, 10
Pedro Azeredo 4
Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai Coupe Evo
Coupe Evo 2
M 20 Kenneth Eriksson 4–5, 7–13
21 Alister McRae 5–6
29 Wayne Bell 4, 8–13
48 Dean Herridge 12
Volkswagen Volkswagen Golf GTI 16V Kit Car P 17 Alister McRae 2, 7, 10-12
30 Harry Joki 2
24 Kris Rosenberger 3-4, 7, 9, 12
31 Raimund Baumschlager 3-4, 13
40 Janne Tuohino 10
41 Jan Habig 13
47 Esa Saarenpää 10
48 Jani Pirttinen 10
Nissan Motorsports Europe Nissan Almera Kit Car M 23 Mark Higgins 4, 8, 10-11, 13
48 José Araújo 4
61 Ercan Kazaz 13
Škoda Motorsport Škoda Octavia Kit Car M 22 Pavel Sibera 5-6, 8, 10-11, 13
37 Fabio Danti 11
Opel
Vauxhall
Opel
Vauxhall
Astra G Kit Car M 18 Jarmo Kytölehto (Opel) 13
40 Neil Wearden (Vauxhall) 13

Results and standings

Drivers' championship

Pos. Driver MON
SWE
KEN
POR
ESP
FRA
ARG
GRE
NZL
FIN
ITA
AUS
GBR
 Pts 
1 Tommi Mäkinen Ret 1 Ret Ret 3 Ret 1 Ret 3 1 1 1 Ret 58
2 Carlos Sainz 1 2 Ret 2 7 8 2 4 1 2 4 2 Ret 56
3 Colin McRae 3 Ret Ret 1 Ret 1 5 1 5 Ret 3 4 Ret 45
4 Juha Kankkunen 2 3 2 7 Ret 9 3 3 4 3 Ret 5 2 39
5 Didier Auriol 14 6 4 Ret 1 6 Ret 2 2 4 Ret 3 Ret 34
6 Richard Burns 5 15 1 4 4 Ret 4 Ret 9 5 7 Ret 1 33
7 Piero Liatti 4 9 Ret 6 Ret 3 6 6 6 2 Ret 17
8 Freddy Loix 3 2 5 6 13
9 Bruno Thiry 6 8 Ret 5 Ret Ret Ret 10 6 7 3 8
10 François Delecour 10 8 2 Ret 6
11 Ari Vatanen 3 5 Ret Ret 6
12 Gilles Panizzi 9 6 4 35 5 Ret 6
13 Kenneth Eriksson 4 Ret 21 Ret Ret 20 Ret Ret 22 Ret 3
14 Grégoire De Mévius 8 12 4 3
15 Harri Rovanperä 11 Ret 5 Ret Ret Ret 15 13 11 Ret 11 6 3
16 Marcus Grönholm 5 Ret Ret Ret 7 Ret 2
17 Philippe Bugalski 5 Ret Ret 2
18 Sebastian Lindholm Ret 9 5 2
19 Raimund Baumschlager 6 Ret Ret 1
20 Thomas Rådström Ret Ret 12 Ret 7 6 1
Pos. Driver MON
SWE
KEN
POR
ESP
FRA
ARG
GRE
NZL
FIN
ITA
AUS
GBR
 Pts 
Key
Colour Result
Gold Winner
Silver 2nd place
Bronze 3rd place
Green Points finish
Blue Non-points finish
Non-classified finish (NC)
Purple Did not finish (Ret)
Black Excluded (EX)
Disqualified (DSQ)
White Did not start (DNS)
Cancelled (C)
Blank Withdrew entry from
the event (WD)

Co-drivers' championship

Pos. Co-driver MON
SWE
KEN
POR
ESP
FRA
ARG
GRE
NZL
FIN
ITA
AUS
GBR
 Pts 
1 Risto Mannisenmäki Ret 1 Ret Ret 3 Ret 1 Ret 3 1 1 1 Ret 58
2 Luis Moya 1 2 Ret 2 7 8 2 4 1 2 4 2 Ret 56
3 Nicky Grist 3 Ret Ret 1 Ret 1 5 1 5 Ret 3 4 Ret 45
4 Juha Repo 2 3 2 7 Ret 9 3 3 4 3 Ret 5 2 39
5 Denis Giraudet 14 6 4 Ret 1 6 Ret 2 2 4 Ret 3 Ret 34
6 Robert Reid 5 15 1 4 4 Ret 4 Ret 9 5 7 Ret 1 33
7 Fabrizia Pons 4 9 Ret 6 Ret 3 6 6 6 2 Ret Ret 17
8 Sven Smeets 3 2 5 6 13
9 Stéphane Prévot 6 8 Ret 5 Ret Ret Ret 10 6 7 3 8
10 Daniel Grataloup 10 8 2 Ret 6
11 Fred Gallagher 3 5 Ret 6
12 Hervé Panizzi 9 6 4 35 5 Ret 6
13 Staffan Parmander 4 Ret 21 Ret Ret 20 Ret Ret 22 Ret 3
14 Jean-Marc Fortin 8 12 4 3
15 Risto Pietiläinen 11 Ret 5 Ret Ret Ret 15 13 11 Ret 11 6 3
16 Timo Rautiainen 5 Ret Ret Ret 7 Ret 2
17 Jean-Paul Chiaroni 5 Ret Ret 2
18 Jukka Aho Ret 9 5 2
19 Klaus Wicha 8 6 Ret Ret 1
20 Gunnar Barth Ret Ret 12 Ret 7 6 1
Pos. Co-driver MON
SWE
KEN
POR
ESP
FRA
ARG
GRE
NZL
FIN
ITA
AUS
GBR
 Pts 

Manufacturers' championship

Pos. Manufacturer No. MON
SWE
KEN
POR
ESP
FRA
ARG
GRE
NZL
FIN
ITA
AUS
GBR
Points
1 Team Mitsubishi Ralliart 1 Ret 1 Ret Ret 3 Ret 1 Ret 3 1 1 1 Ret 91
2 5 15 1 4 4 Ret 4 Ret 9 5 7 Ret 1
2 Toyota Castrol Team 5 1 2 Ret 2 7 8 2 4 1 2 4 2 Ret 85
6 14 Ret 4 Ret 2 6 Ret 2 2 4 Ret 3 Ret
3 555 Subaru World Rally Team 3 3 Ret Ret 1 Ret 1 5 1 5 Ret 3 4 Ret 65
4 4 4 Ret 6 Ret 3 6 6 6 8 2 Ret Ret
4 Ford Motor Co 7 2 3 2 7 Ret 9 3 3 4 3 Ret 5 2 53
8 6 8 3 5 Ret 5 Ret Ret Ret 10 6 7 3
5 SEAT Sport 9 11 Ret 11 6 1
10 Ret 16 Ret
Pos. Manufacturer No. MON
SWE
KEN
POR
ESP
FRA
ARG
GRE
NZL
FIN
ITA
AUS
GBR
Points
Key
Colour Result
Gold Winner
Silver 2nd place
Bronze 3rd place
Green Points finish
Blue Non-points finish
Non-classified finish (NC)
Purple Did not finish (Ret)
Black Excluded (EX)
Disqualified (DSQ)
White Did not start (DNS)
Cancelled (C)
Blank Withdrew entry from
the event (WD)

FIA Teams' Cup

Pos. Team Event Points
MON
SWE
KEN
POR
ESP
FRA
ARG
GRE
NZL
FIN
ITA
AUS
GBR
1 H.F. Grifone 0100101000101071600 73
2 Uruguay en Carrera 0002546284440 39
3 Gazprom Rally Team 000400030001010 27
4 Mobil 1 Stomil Olsztyn 00064010000006 26
5 Toyota Castrol Team Sweden 00006000010060 22
6 Toyota Team Saudi Arabia 00000100003034 20
7 Toyota Mobil Team Turkey 0003060600020 17
8 Frederic Dor 0001004410002 12
9 Hamed Al-Wahaibi 0000003130003 10

Events

1998 World Rally Championship event map
Black = Tarmac Brown = Gravel Blue = Snow/Ice Red = Mixed Surface
1998 World Rally Championship schedule and results
Rally Name Dates run Podium Drivers (Finishing Time) Podium Cars
Monte Carlo Rally19 January–21 January
  1. Carlos Sainz (4h:28m:00.5s)
  2. Juha Kankkunen (4h:28m:41.3s)
  3. Colin McRae (4h:29m:01.5s)
  1. Toyota Corolla WRC
  2. Ford Escort WRC
  3. Subaru Impreza WRC 98
Swedish Rally6 February–8 February
  1. Tommi Mäkinen (3h:32m:51.6s)
  2. Carlos Sainz (3h:33m:43.2s)
  3. Juha Kankkunen (3h:33m:50.4s)
  1. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV
  2. Toyota Corolla WRC
  3. Ford Escort WRC
Safari Rally28 February–2 March
  1. Richard Burns (8h:57m:34s)
  2. Juha Kankkunen (9h:07m:01s)
  3. Ari Vatanen (9h:07m:26s)
  1. Mitsubishi Carisma GT Evolution IV
  2. Ford Escort WRC
  3. Ford Escort WRC
Rally Portugal22 March–25 March
  1. Colin McRae (4h:20m:58.1s)
  2. Carlos Sainz (4h:21m:00.2s)
  3. Freddy Loix (4h:21m:43.9s)
  1. Subaru Impreza WRC 98
  2. Toyota Corolla WRC
  3. Toyota Corolla WRC
Rally Catalunya20 April–22 April
  1. Didier Auriol (4h:18m:36.9s)
  2. Freddy Loix (4h:19m:30.3s)
  3. Tommi Mäkinen (4h:19m:46.3s)
  1. Toyota Corolla WRC
  2. Toyota Corolla WRC
  3. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V
Tour de Corse4 May–6 May
  1. Colin McRae (4h:02m:46.9s)
  2. François Delecour (4h:03m:14.1s)
  3. Piero Liatti (4h:03m:16.9s)
  1. Subaru Impreza WRC 98
  2. Peugeot 306 Maxi
  3. Subaru Impreza WRC 98
Rally Argentina20 May–23 May
  1. Tommi Mäkinen (4h:22m:07.4s)
  2. Carlos Sainz (4h:22m:34.2s)
  3. Juha Kankkunen (4h:22m:34.9s)
  1. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V
  2. Toyota Corolla WRC
  3. Ford Escort WRC
Acropolis Rally7 June–9 June
  1. Colin McRae (4h:26m:31.6s)
  2. Didier Auriol (4h:26m:51.6s)
  3. Juha Kankkunen (4h:27m:15.9s)
  1. Subaru Impreza WRC 98
  2. Toyota Corolla WRC
  3. Ford Escort WRC
Rally New Zealand24 July–27 July
  1. Carlos Sainz (3h:54m:57.1s)
  2. Didier Auriol (3h:55m:01.2s)
  3. Tommi Mäkinen (3h:56m:40.8s)
  1. Toyota Corolla WRC
  2. Toyota Corolla WRC
  3. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V
Rally Finland21 August–23 August
  1. Tommi Mäkinen (3h:16m:56.1s)
  2. Carlos Sainz (3h:17m:31.7s)
  3. Juha Kankkunen (3h:17m:41.3s)
  1. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V
  2. Toyota Corolla WRC
  3. Ford Escort WRC
Rally Sanremo12 October–14 October
  1. Tommi Mäkinen (4h:34m:34.5s)
  2. Piero Liatti (4h:34m:50.3s)
  3. Colin McRae (4h:36m:04.7s)
  1. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V
  2. Subaru Impreza WRC 98
  3. Subaru Impreza WRC 98
Rally Australia5 November–8 November
  1. Tommi Mäkinen (3h:52m:48.7s)
  2. Carlos Sainz (3h:53m:05.2s)
  3. Didier Auriol (3h:53m:13.7s)
  1. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V
  2. Toyota Corolla WRC
  3. Toyota Corolla WRC
Rally of Great Britain22 November–24 November
  1. Richard Burns (3h:50m:30.6s)
  2. Juha Kankkunen (3h:54m:17.1s)
  3. Bruno Thiry (3h:55m:58.1s)
  1. Mitsubishi Carisma GT Evolution V
  2. Ford Escort WRC
  3. Ford Escort WRC


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