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2004 WRC: RALLY GREAT BRITAIN

SOLBERG WINS AGAIN

• World champion Petter Solberg's 3rd consecutive win in Great Britain. He trailed Sebastien Loeb by 7.3 seconds going into the final leg. He overtook Loeb in the penultimate stage and won by just 6.3 second. Loeb still has a commanding lead in overall standing; 28 points ahead of Solberg and 33 points ahead of Martin.
• WINNER, SOLBERG (SUBARU):"... 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 though,
  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.
• 2ND, LOEB (CITROEN): "... I would lie if I said I'm not disappointed with this finale. 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."
• 3RD, MARTIN (FORD): "... It's good to finish on the podium again and obviously this is a fantastic achievement for Ford ... It was great to end with fastest time - in front of the live cameras too! The pace was good today. It wasn't as fast as Friday but
  thankfully it wasn't as eventful either. Twice our rally almost ended in the trees then and I was not unhappy to see the end of that day. Driving in the fog yesterday wasn't easy but the conditions were the same for everyone. I had good speed all rally but unfortunately not enough to match Solberg and Loeb for victory on this occasion."

19 special stages;
Total competition distance 394.03km; total distance 1328km
Rally base: Welsh capital Cardiff

PRE RALLY:

• Rally of Great Britain (Wales) moved up to September instead of traditional season finale in November.
• Sebastien Loeb has 30 points lead over world champion Petter Solberg who has won this rally for the past 2 years.
• Loeb could win the championship if he extends his lead to 40 with 4 rallies remaining.

QUOTES

• LOEB (CITROEN) championship leader: "... It's been a wet summer so few people will have had the opportunity to test in dry conditions and certainly our testing was cooler and damper than it may be in the forests next week ... Tyre selection is therefore likely to be quite difficult. Also, if the weather is constant teams will be compromised by the number of tyres available to them ... Under the new rules we no longer have enough options to do the whole rally on the same type of tyre, so if we have three days of glorious sunshine or three days of pouring rain, then I think teams will struggle a little."

• SOLBERG (SUBARU) 2003 WORLD CHAMPION: "... Japan was really very, very good, let me tell you. It was a difficult rally to drive, very technical, but everything worked well for us and it was great to take the win. I'm looking ahead now and getting ready for Wales Rally GB. It will be interesting this year due to the date change, but it doesn't matter to me if it's dry or wet on the stages - I love it! It's my favourite rally of the year. It's absolutely the best rally in the world and I have such great memories of being there. I can't wait to get back."

• SUBARU (LAPWORTH, Team Director): "... One of the big differences about running the rally in September is that the range of weather conditions is potentially wider ... If we have three days of glorious sunshine or three days of pouring rain, then I think teams will struggle a little. In November, we know there will be rain and mud and so know exactly which type of tyre to use ... in September it may be hot and dry with hard-based, dusty stages, or it could rain heavily for three days and the stages could be similar to those used in November ... That's going to be one of the interesting challenges of the rally because it's like a new event, but a very unpredictable new event ...If it's dry, no one will have much experience about which tyres work best and what level of tyre wear to expect on the stages."

• SAINZ (CITROEN): ".. I have mixed memories of the RAC Rally. I have won it twice, but I have also suffered some bitter disappointments. Of course, everyone remembers what happened in 1998. People still bring it up all the time. The title narrowly escaped us so close to home! Except for an accident, a driver couldn't have a worse recollection. It certainly marked me, but in a way it also taught me a great deal. I also remember the last year the stages were secret. Our car broke down two stages from the end while we were leading. That too was very tough to accept... The fact that Citroën leads the Manufacturers' standings and that I am 4th in the Drivers' classification hasn't changed my objective which, as usual, is to win! I will do all I can to succeed in that or else to finish on the podium once again!"

• HIRVONEN (SUBARU): "... I think the change of date for this year's Wales Rally GB should make it pretty interesting. If it's dry, it will be a good rally for me I think. The stages will be really fast and flowing, which suits my driving style. It's easier to find a driving rhythm in those conditions and you can go for it. It's the team's home event, which makes it a bit special and Subaru has a very good record there. The team showed what the Subaru Impreza WRC2004 is capable of on gravel in Finland and I know I'm going to be in a good car - so I'm looking forward to it."

• MARTIN (FORD) : "... I think this year's event will be very, very fast ... People say that it could be as quick as the Rally Finland, which is the fastest round of the year. I'm not sure about that because the roads in Wales are different to those there. They are harder and smoother in Finland and there are probably more tight bends in Wales but it will be a very fast rally, especially if the conditions are dry ... High speeds make the stages really challenging and a driver needs to be committed for every single second in Wales. There is no opportunity for respite. Logs and rocks close to the edge of the road add additional difficulties but it's an event I've always enjoyed and I think there could be a big battle for victory next weekend. One thing I won't miss about Wales in November is the fog. I hate driving in fog and hopefully Wales in the middle of September will be fog-free,"

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