Marcus Gronholm Sumar
Marcus Grönholm was born on the 5th of February, 1968 in Kauniainen, Finland. He is married and has three children. He lives with his family in Inkoo (some 50 km west of Helsinki) and he used to make his living as a farmer until 1996. Since then the rally driving has taken all his time and attention.
He became interested in motor sports through his father Ulf who was among the best rally drivers in Finland in the 1970's. Marcus started his motoring career
in 1981 with motocross. He drove motocross for five years until he hurt his knees and was forced to quit. Marcus drove his first rally in 1987, the same year he got his driving licence.
In ten years (1989 - 98) Marcus did 25 starts in the World Rally Championship series in Finland, Sweden, Portugal, Great-Britain, New Zealand, Spain and Argentina. During the years Marcus has had several opportunities to drive a proper works car and finally after the good drive in the 1998 Neste Rally Finland his persistent efforts were awarded. Peugeot Sport offered him a two years contract with the new Peugeot 206 WRC.
After his first full season in the championship series in 2000 Marcus won the title by taking victories in four rallies and was crowned as a World Rally Champion. Peugeot took the title for Manufacturer's Championship. The start of season 2001 was bad with several retirements but the end of the year was a lot better and Marcus could finish fourth in the points. Peugeot was again winner in the Manufacturer's Championship.
Peugeot Sport renewed Marcus' contract and offered him a drive until the end of 2004.
Last year Marcus won the Championship again and so did Peugeot!
Timo Rautiainen was born on the 13th of November in 1964. He is married and has two children. He lives with his family in Espoo. Timo started his career as a co-driver in 1988. He was driving together with Marcus for the first time in 1990 and -91 and stopped then for four years making his come back in May 1995.
Marcus Gronholm Rally Homepage
