The rally began with the first special stage in front of Stormont Castle in Belfast, which Marcus Grönholm won Thursday evening.

The next day, in the fourth special stage, Grönholm hit a wall hard, and he and co-driver Timo Rautiainen were taken to hospital as a precaution.

His advantage over his rival Grönholm, who retired on Friday after a serious accident, had been six points before the last round of the world championship.

Mikko Hirvonen finished fourth, securing the second manufacturers' world championship title in a row for the Ford team.

He held this position to the finish despite briefly going off the road on Saturday, losing a little time.