2007 Rally Ireland

The 2007 Rally Ireland, the first Rally Ireland and fifteenth round of the 2007 World Rally Championship, was a motor rally held from 15 to 18 November. It took place over eight counties on both sides of the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The event started in Stormont, Belfast, and finished in Mullaghmore, County Sligo.

Report

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. Both remained unhurt but withdrew from the rally.

Citroën driver Sébastien Loeb took a step towards his fourth Drivers' World Championship title, retaking the lead in the drivers' standings. 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.

Jari-Matti Latvala was third, taking his first WRC podium. On Friday, Latvala edged out Hirvonen for third place. He held this position to the finish despite briefly going off the road on Saturday, losing a little time.