The 2009 Cyprus Rally, also known as the 37th FxPro Cyprus Rally, was a notable chapter in the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar, taking place from March 13 to March 15, 2009, in Limassol, Cyprus. Bringing back the rally after a brief hiatus since 2006, this event was particularly significant as it introduced a mixed-surface format, reminiscent of the days when such events were more common. "It's great to win here in Cyprus, especially given the unique challenges of both tarmac and gravel stages," said Sébastien Loeb, who, alongside co-driver Daniel Elena, secured victory with their Citroën C4 WRC.
The rally was characterized by its split format, where Day 1 featured tarmac surfaces while Days 2 and 3 transitioned to difficult gravel roads. This shift was a departure from the typical all-gravel format of previous rallies, making it the first mixed-surface rally since the 1996 Rallye Sanremo. Loeb's win was not only a testament to his skill but also marked the WRC's return to a more diverse rally experience.
In the overall standings, Loeb finished with a total time of 4:50:34.7, leading the charge. "Consistency was key. We focused on maintaining our pace throughout the stages, especially when transitioning from tarmac to gravel," noted Loeb. Following him was Mikko Hirvonen in the Ford Focus RS WRC 08, who completed the rally in 4:51:01.9, finishing just 27.2 seconds behind. Hirvonen remarked, "We had our own challenges, but I'm pleased with my performance."
Petter Solberg placed third in his Citroën Xsara WRC, finishing with a time of 4:52:24.1. “The stages were quite demanding, but overall it was a thrilling experience, and I’m happy to be on the podium,” Solberg said. The competition tightened as the rally progressed, with Dani Sordo trailing closely in fourth place, driving another Citroën C4 WRC.
The event included a total of 14 stages covering a distance of 332.07 kilometers (approximately 206.34 miles). Drivers faced various conditions, requiring both technical knowledge and strategic prowess. Matthew Wilson finished fifth in the Ford Focus RS WRC 08, completing the rally in 4:57:15.7. "Every stage posed unique challenges, and we adapted as best we could," stressed Wilson.
As the event concluded, dozens of teams and fans celebrated the challenging yet exhilarating atmosphere. The return of the Cyprus Rally came in light of previous events being removed from the calendar in favor of new rallies such as Rally Norway and Rally Ireland; its reinstatement suggested a successful expansion of the WRC format. "This rally has so much history, and being able to bring it back with a new twist is fantastic for the sport," said a WRC executive.
Among the Junior WRC crews, Martin Prokop, alongside co-driver Jan Tomanek, took the top spot, finishing with a time of 5:20:54.0 in their Citroën C2 S1600. Prokop reflected on his achievement, stating, "Winning in this competitive field is always rewarding, especially in such a challenging event."
As the dust settled on the 2009 Cyprus Rally, it was clear that the event not only marked a triumphant return of mixed-surface racing but also set the stage for future rallies within the WRC circuit to adopt similar formats. Loeb's victory reaffirmed his status as a leading figure in the rallying world, while the mixed-surface model may pave the way for more exciting and varied challenges in years to come. The return of the Cyprus Rally also highlighted the importance of adaptability in rally racing, a theme that continues to resonate as the WRC season progresses.
