The following crews were set to enter the rally. The event was open to crews competing in the World Rally Championship and its support category, the Junior WRC, as well as privateer entries that were not registered to score points in the manufacturer's championship. Twenty Four were entered under World Rally Car regulations, as were thirteen in the Junior WRC category.[4]
Thursday's shakedown would be a dramatic one, with Petter Solberg crashing out due to setup-related understeer. His mechanics were able to rebuild the car in time for the event.[6] His teammate Sarrazin would win the shakedown.[7]
Friday would see Loeb take an early lead and extend it throughout the morning, whle his biggest competitor was Sordo in second. Gronholm would have a mediocre start, going off the road multiple time sin the opening stage.[8] by the end of the day, Loeb would pull a gap of over forty seconds to the Spaniard.
It would be up to Sordo to close the gap on Saturday, which would see changing weather conditions. While he was able to bring the gap down to under thirty seconds, he was unable to truly compete for the win at the beginning of the weekend. Gardemeister would hold a comfortable third ahead of Gronholm, who was hindered by a poor tyre choice. Solberg would suffer from engine issues and retired from the second day. Privateer Jan Kopecky would take a surprise win in the ninth stage, while Pons went off the road and dropped to twelfth.[9] Gronholm would make a recovery to third by the end of the day, as Gardemeister struggled. The leading duo were ordered to hold position and cruise to a 1–2.[10][11]
Sunday would have very little change in the points paying positions, as Loeb and Sordo cruised home in their previous positions. Loeb had led the rally on every stage, and by winning the rally, equaled the record for the most World Rally wins at twenty six. Gronholm would finish third ahead of Gardemeister and Hirvonen. Skoda rookie Aigner would book an impressive sxth, along with privateer Kopecky in seventh.[12]
