Peugeot 307 WRC

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.

Peugeot 307 WRC
CategoryWorld Rally Car
ConstructorPeugeot Sport
PredecessorPeugeot 206 WRC
Technical specifications[1][2]
Length4,344 mm (171.0 in)
Width1,770 mm (69.7 in)
Height1,370 mm (53.9 in)
Wheelbase2,610 mm (102.8 in)
Engine1,997 cc (121.9 cu in) I4 turbo charge
Front transverse
TransmissionFive-speed sequential
4-wheel drive
Weight1,230 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
RacesWinsPodiumsTitles
363260

Competition history
Marcus Grönholm driving his 307 WRC at the 2004 Monte Carlo Rally.

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.[3] 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.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7] This was the first fatality in a WRC event since Rodger Freeth in 1993.[8]

The Peugeot 307 has also been raced in the World Touring Car Championship, the British Touring Car Championship, Stock Car Brasil, TC2000 and the Danish Touring Car Championship.

WRC victories
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

References
  1. "Peugeot 307 WRC". juwra.com. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  2. "Peugeot 307 WRC Evo2". juwra.com. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  3. "Peugeot 307 Profile". rallye-info.com. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  4. "Finland Rally". juwra.com. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  5. "Rally Japan 2005". Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  6. "Peugeot rules out WRC return". autocar.co.uk. 9 November 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  7. "Michael Park killed in Rally of Great Britain". motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. 20 September 2005. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  8. "Not forgotten – Rodger Freeth". amcn.com. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
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