Monday 20th September 2004

Solberg wins Welsh WRC

Subaru takes top slot, Loeb's Citroen is second

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Petter Solberg and co-driver Phil Mills took their third consecutive WRC Rally GB win after a thrilling third and final run through the head-to-head Super Special at the Cardiff dockland arena.

In front of more than five thousand spectators, Petter Solberg held his nerve over the jump and through the stage's water splash to finish third fastest, extend his overall lead and claim his third consecutive WRC Rally GB victory. He became one of only four drivers to ever achieve the feat. The win marked his fourth WRC victory in 2004 and the ninth of his WRC career.

Loeb was fourth fastest to finish second overall, while Martin was fastest to take the final podium position. Mikko Hirvonen crossed the line to take seventh place and, with it, more points in both the Driver and Manufacturer Championships.

Petter Solberg said, "It's been the hardest finish I can remember, but one of the best. Sebastien is a very determined guy. We had the most incredible battle, this is a good result for the sport and we put on a great show - but it was not an easy task today! On the first part of Margam it was very slippery. I hit rocks and everything, but when it dried I thought, right, let's go and I absolutely nailed it. I tried everything, but it worked out. I'm so pleased for everyone in the team, we have a great team atmosphere and we're going to carry it through to Sardinia."

Meanwhile, a storming drive to second place by Sébastien Loeb backed by a determined fourth place from Carlos Sainz in the Xsara WRC cars has taken Citroën a step closer to retaining their title as world rally champions.

The two Citroën drivers added a further 13 points boosting Citroën’s tally to 150, now 38 ahead of nearest rival Ford with just four rounds of the 2004 championship to go.

6.3 seconds separated Loeb from rally winner, Petter Solberg, a result which keeps Loeb very much on track for his first ever world drivers championship crown.

His excellent form throughout 2004 has seen him notch up five victories and three seconds as a string of impressive performances has earned him  92 points, 28 ahead of second placed Sollberg. 

Sébastien  commented “I would lie if I said I’m not disappointed with the final result in the Rally GB. But I’m happy about two things : I was extremely close to winning the event thanks to my Xsara, and with two second places in a row, I still have all my chances for the title.”

Overall Classification Wales Rally GB
1. P. Solberg/Ph. Mills (Subaru Impreza)  3 h 42 min 39,5 s
2. S. Loeb/D. Elena (Citroën Xsara)  + 6,3 s
3. M. Märtin/M. Park (Ford Focus)  + 2 min 53,7 s
4. C. Sainz/M. Marti (Citroën Xsara)  + 3 min 42,1 s
5. F. Duval/S.Prevot (Ford Focus)  + 4 min 51,3 s
6. H. Rovanperä/R. Pietiläinen (Peugeot 307) + 6 min 44,9 s
7. M. Hirvonen/J. Lehtinen (Subaru Impreza) + 7 min 08,3 s
8. M. Stohl/I. Minor (Peugeot 206)  + 10 min 20,1 s
9. N. Vouilloz/D. Giraudet (Peugeot 206)  + 15 min 12,3 s
10. A. Warmbold/G. Price (Ford Focus)  + 15 min 49,3 s

FIA World Manufacturers’ Rally Championship **
1. Citroën, 150 points – 2. Ford, 112 pts - 3. Subaru, 91 pts – 4. Peugeot, 76 pts

FIA World Drivers’ Rally Championship **
1. S. Loeb, 92 points – 2. P. Solberg, 64 pts - 3. M. Märtin, 59 pts - 4. C. Sainz, 55 pts - 5. M. Grönholm, 47 pts - 6. F. Duval, 43 pts – 7. M. Hirvonen, 23 pts - 8. H. Rovanperä, 20 pts – 9. J. Tuohino, 16 pts – 10. F. Loix, 7 pts

** unofficial results until final publication by the FIA.
 

The Sardinian event starts on 1 October. More on the WRC here.

[jamesc]

Richard Francis has great pictures of the Wales Rally GB.

www.richardfrancis.tk

[cptsideways]

I wonder how many of the drivers will be losing their licences this year ? (for driving on the closed off bits of public road I add)

We decided not to go & see this year due to the speed camera stazi.

[D-Angle]

cptsideways said:

I wonder how many of the drivers will be losing their licences this year ? (for driving on the closed off bits of public road I add) We decided not to go & see this year due to the speed camera stazi.

Judge for yourself - the results in the article are actually the number of points picked up on their licenses.

Seriously though, why is the rally still being held there? Could they have done any more to make them move? These people demonise the very people who support the sport, and WRC pour cash into their economy in return. FFS!

[Flat in Fifth]

Only one comment about this year's event.

Re: Markko Märtin on that downhill hairpin right as shown numerous times on the box.

Sheeeit!!! was that impressive or was that impressive?