Carlos Sainz
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Carlos Sainz (born April 12, 1962 in Madrid, Spain) is a now retired rally driver who competed in the sport from 1980 to 2005. He first competed in the World Rally Championship with Ford in 1987. He was World Rally Champion in the Toyota Celica GT4 in 1990 and 1992, to which a limited number of 440 UK Celica's carried his name on a plaque in the vehicle, and decals on the outside. He also won the 1997 Race of Champions.
As well as delivering distinguishing performances for Ford and Toyota at varying points during the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, Sainz also drove for the fledgling Subaru team in 1994 and 1995, winning the manufacturers' series in the latter year alongside World Champion team-mate Colin McRae (whom he was to join on later occasions at both Ford and Citroen).
Other singular achievements include winning the inaugural editions of both the Cyprus (2000) and Turkey rounds of the World Championship. Other highs include inheriting the victory of the 2002 Rally Argentina from third by virtue of the disqualifications of the two Peugeots of Marcus Grönholm and Richard Burns. Lows include enduring a torrid winless season with Lancia's private 'Jolly Club' team in 1993, and retiring from the 1998 Rally Great Britain, the final event of the year, 500 metres from the finish. As a result of losing 4th place both Sainz and team Toyota gifted their respective titles to rivals Tommi Mäkinen and Mitsubishi Ralliart.
On Sunday the 18th of July 2004, Sainz won the Rally of Argentina for the second time. In so doing he set a new world record for WRC career wins, having won 26.
Despite formally retiring at the end of the 2004 season, with a possible view to moving into the European Touring Car Championship, he was invited back to the fold on request of Citroën, to replace the faltering Belgian driver François Duval. Although Duval was soon to reclaim his seat, Sainz's two rallies back in the Citroën impressed many, with the now-43 year old Spaniard posting 4th and 3rd finishing positions respectively.
Titles
| Year | Title | Car |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Spanish rally champion | Ford Sierra RS Cosworth |
| 1988 | Spanish rally champion | Ford Sierra RS Cosworth |
| 1990 | Asia-Pacific rally champion | Toyota Celica GT-Four |
| 1990 | World Rally Champion | Toyota Celica GT-Four |
| 1991 | World Rally Championship runner-up | Toyota Celica GT-Four |
| 1992 | World Rally Champion | Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD |
| 1994 | World Rally Championship runner-up | Subaru Impreza 555 |
| 1995 | World Rally Championship rimmer-up | Subaru Impreza 555 |
| 1996 | World Rally Championship 3rd place | Ford Escort Cosworth |
| 1997 | Champion of Champions | |
| 1998 | World Rally Championship runner-up | Toyota Corolla WRC |
| 2000 | World Rally Championship 3rd place | Ford Focus WRC |
| 2002 | World Rally Championship 3rd place | Ford Focus RS WRC 02 |
| 2003 | World Rally Championship | Citroën Xsara WRC |
| 2004 | World Rally Championship (won Rally Argentina) | Citroën Xsara WRC |
WM-Platzierungen
| Year | Place | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | not rated | Ford Sierra RS Cosworth |
| 1988 | 10. | Ford Sierra RS Cosworth |
| 1989 | 8. | Toyota Celica GT4 |
| 1990 | 1. | Toyota Celica GT4 |
| 1991 | 2. | Toyota Celica GT4 |
| 1992 | 1. | Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD |
| 1993 | 8. | Lancia Delta Integrale |
| 1994 | 2. | Subaru Impreza |
| 1995 | 2. | Subaru Impreza |
| 1996 | 3. | Ford Escort |
| 1997 | 3. | Ford Escort WRC |
| 1998 | 2. | Toyota Corolla WRC |
| 1999 | 5. | Toyota Corolla WRC |
| 2000 | 3. | Ford Focus WRC |
| 2001 | 6. | Ford Focus WRC |
| 2002 | 3. | Ford Focus WRC |
| 2003 | 3. | Citroën Xsara WRC |
| 2004 | 4. | Citroën Xsara WRC |
External links
- Sils Car Museum where the Ford Sierra Cosworth with which Carlos Sainz won the Spain Rally Championship on 1987 can be visited
- http://www.carlos-sainz.comde:Carlos Sainz
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