Denis Millet survived a last-minute protest from rival Manuel Villa to claim the 2009 Intercontinental Rally Challenge's 2WD Cup.

After he was forced to retire from his home event with engine problems, Villa protested his French rival for a road traffic infraction, but this was rejected by the stewards.

Maintaining his consistent podium-winning form despite a renewed onslaught from a trio of extremely rapid Hondas in Sanremo, Millet held out to take second place on the rally behind the Civic of Sandro Sottile, and put the drivers' and manufacturers' titles beyond reach.

"It is really special for us to win such an important title with this car, which was brand new this season," Millet pointed out.

Rallye Sanremo IRC 2WD Cup results:

1. S. Sottile   Honda Civic Type R3C  2hrs 29m 37.6s
2. D. Millet    Peugeot 207 R3T       +7m 19.4s
3. U. Consigli  Peugeot 207 R3T       +9m 6.8s
4. R. Vescovi   Peugeot 207 R3T       +9m 10.5s
5. A. Carella   Peugeot 207 R3T       +9m 10.7s
6. L. Vizin     Honda Civic Type R3   +10m 50.3s
7. M. Strambi   Peugeot 207 R3T       +11m 0.2s
8. U. Pisano    Abarth Panda Kit      +15m 17.4s

IRC 2WD Cup drivers' standings, round 10 of 11:

1. D. Millet   49 points*
2. M. Villa    36
3. L. Vizin    11
4. S. Sotille  10
(...)

IRC 2WD Cup manufacturers' standings, round 10 of 11:

1. Peugeot     80 points*
2. Abarth      55
3. Honda       53
4. Volkswagen  16