Quote Originally Posted by jonkka View Post
While typing up the results, I realized that some of the old gang were present at the same event again (and found some other parallels too). For comparison, let's refer to 2003 Rally GB where top three was:

Petter Solberg (back here at the wheel of Polo R5)
Sebastien Loeb (back here and winning this time, in 2003 he bowed under Citroen's wishes to make sure of manu title and finished 2nd)
Tommi Makinen (his last WRC event as a driver in 2003, now a team manager)

Also:
JML was 10th then, 7th this time.
Gwyndaf Evans was 27th then, his son Elfyn fourth here.
Kalle Rovanpera's father Harri retired then, his son won WRC2 here.
Eamond Boland was competing then, as he was here too.
As was Jan Kopecky.
Meeke was competing then, could have been competing here too, but...

The one that I was looking for is Timo Rautiainen, then co-driver for Marcus Gronholm. He's been FIA appointed steward on many rallies this season but not this time, thus not extending the already long list above.

All this, despite 15 years has passed.
2003 was the last time 3 drivers went in to the last round with a chance of winning the Championship, I think? Burns, Loeb and Solberg, although we know sadly Burnsie didn't get to compete in GB.

Also the last time someone not named Seb won the Championship - that one is pending a few more weeks and could easily be cancelled!