END OF THE ROAD; Marcus Gronholm wins WRC finale.(Competition)(World Rally Championship)

Ford driver Marcus Gronholm claimed his seventh win of the year at the season-ending Wales Rally Great Britain, dominating the event from start to finish despite torrential rain and 60-mph winds on the final day.

Gronholm's only real challenger was his young teammate, Mikko Hirvonen, who matched his team leader for pace over the opening morning. Hirvonen hit a large rock on the rally's first stage but did not lose any speed. However, when he reached the service area, his team discovered that the impact broke his Ford's roll cage. Hirvonen was forced to retire on safety grounds.

Petter Solberg-a four-time winner of the Rally Great Britain-wrestled his Subaru up into second place on opening day, but a collision with a gatepost on day two broke his Impreza's steering and dropped him to third. A time-consuming spin on the slippery final day meant that he had no chance to improve. For Subaru, 2006 was its first winless season since 1992.

Peugeot driver Manfred Stohl finished second to claim his third podium finish in a row. The Austrian had a fast and reliable run to the finish, demonstrating the consistency that has taken him to a creditable fourth place in the championship.

Britain was also the final round of the Junior World Rally Championship, for smaller front-wheel-drive cars. Renault Clio driver Patrick Sandell from Sweden claimed the junior title in his rookie year.

Loeb set to return

Injured WRC champion Sebastien Loeb was scheduled to drive a rally car the week of Dec. 4 as part of a test of Citroen's all-new C4, in preparation for the 2007 Monte Carlo rally.