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Cyprus was part of European Rally Championship (ERC) for years until it first was elevated to a reserve status and later to a full WRC round after China Rally was unable to find funding for 2000.
If rallying is supposed to be about different settings and high-speed action, Cyprus is wrong place to start the search. It is very similar to Acropolis and Turkey, rough and hot and the only really distinct characteristics are the extremely twisty and slow nature of the mountain roads. Spectators have found event quite popular, pleasant climate combined with an island that is easy to reach and offers ready accommodation thanks to tourism industry.
Route is drawn in Troodos mountains and as already mentioned, stages are mainly very twisty and easily slowest on the championship. Not quite as rough as Acropolis at it's worst but slow average speed reduces cooling efficiency putting both men and machinery to extreme stress. Though weather is generally sunny, rain is not unheard of and sudden showers have shaken the leaderboard in the past.
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| 2000:
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Sainz, Carlos
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Ford Focus WRC 00
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64.11 km/h
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| 2001:
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McRae, Colin
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Ford Focus RS WRC 01
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66.60 km/h
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| 2002:
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Gronholm, Marcus
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Peugeot 206WRC (2001)
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67.54 km/h
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| 2003:
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Solberg, Petter
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Subaru Impreza WRC2003
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66.18 km/h
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| 2004:
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Loeb, Sebastien
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Citroen Xsara WRC
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65.60 km/h
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| 2005:
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Loeb, Sebastien
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Citroen Xsara WRC
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64.80 km/h
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| 2006:
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Loeb, Sebastien
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Citroen Xsara WRC
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68.18 km/h
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| 2009:
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Loeb, Sebastien
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Citroen C4 WRC
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68.57 km/h
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On twisty and rough roads the only constant thing is change of direction, just follow the dust trail.
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In 2002 rally was held early and spring rain sprang suprises for crews.
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Troodos mountains also provide vertical element. And nice view.
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Driver wins
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Loeb, Sebastien (4)
Gronholm, Marcus (1)
McRae, Colin (1)
Sainz, Carlos (1)
Solberg, Petter (1)
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Manufacturer wins
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Citroen (4)
Ford (2)
Peugeot (1)
Subaru (1)
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