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2004 WRC: RALLY ITALY (SARDINIA)

SOLBERG'S 3RD CONSECUTIVE WIN

• He led every leg and won 13 out of 19 stages.
• WINNER, SOLBERG (SUBARU): "... It's a fantastic feeling, but it's been really hard work all the way - Phil (co-driver) was cheering as we crossed the finish line, but I was still too focused on the driving to take it all in! It's been a very good few rallies, let me tell you, and it's a great feeling to take another win here, the team have been working so hard, and I think we've proved that we're the best team on gravel now."
• 2ND, LOEB (CITROEN): "... Just after the first stage, I said to myself that it will be difficult to beat Petter Solberg here. I went faster in some places but he always kept his lead. When Marcus Grönholm had some problems, I thought it wasn't stupid to go for the second place. And that's what we've done, just before two events which should be favourable to us. Actually, I won't hide that I would really like to win Corsica
• 3RD, SAINZ (CITROEN): "... This event was very difficult for engineers and technicians as we were driving on a new terrain. We had quickly to find the most appropriate settings. It was also very tricky for the drivers due to
  the very narrow stages and the rocks interspersing on the sides. Despite all that, the team has scored a fantastic result with two cars in the top three. On my side, I'm now lying third in the Drivers' Championship and I will try to defend this position."

• 1. SOLBERG, Petter Subaru Impreza
  "... it's working very well. I pushed quite hard earlier on, perhaps a bit too hard in places, but we made a good tyre choice this morning, and the car has a lot of traction when it's slippery. I must say I'm enjoying the stages more than I thought I would, you have to drive very precisely and use the throttle a lot to keep the car in the correct line, it reminded me a bit of my rallycross days in fact. I'm pleased with the position so far, but on this rally 30 seconds is really nothing at all, tomorrow is difficult, and Sunday even more difficult, so of course I'll keep pushing to try and increase the gap."
  2. GRÖNHOLM, Marcus Peugeot 307 +30.3s
  "... We've had no serious problems with the car, and in the afternoon the feeling was quite good. These are not my favourite type of stages - they are too slow and
  twisty - but I was finally able to find a good rhythm and get the best performance out of my 307 WRC. The pace at the front is very quick, so I will have to continue to push hard tomorrow. But I am quite optimistic about my prospects."
  3. LOEB, Sebastien Citröen Xsara +34.8s
  "... it was a good day, with a good fight with Marcus Grönholm. I will continue at
  my chosen pace tomorrow."
  4. SAINZ , Carlos Citröen Xsara
  5. MARTIN, Markko Ford Focus
  6. ROVANPERÄ, Harri Peugeot 307
  7. DUVAL, François Ford Focus
  8. NAVARRA, Andrea Subaru Impreza
  9. VOUILLOZ, Nicolas Peugeot 206
  10. SOLBERG, Henning Peugeot 206

19 special stages;
Total competition distance 384.23km
Rally base: Porto Cervo

PRE RALLY:

QUOTES

• LOEB (CITROEN) championship leader: "... I am cautious about my chances of
  winning ... In Wales, I showed that my lead in the championship didn't prevent me from going for victory when the chance cropped up. In Sardinia, I will stick to my usual tactics: push hard from the start and do my very best, while endeavouring to stay on the right side of the limit."

• SOLBERG (SUBARU) 2003 WORLD CHAMPION: "... I'm feeling good you know. It's so good to have won the last two rallies and we've done pretty well on all the gravel events so far this year. We've proved our pace with all the stage wins we've taken and it's good to go to another gravel rally. I think Sardinia will be difficult because of my road position. The surface is very loose and, running second on the road, I'll be sweeping for those drivers behind, but it will be the same for Loeb too. The stages are very narrow, very twisty and very difficult, but that just adds to the challenge for me! I hope we can get another win."

• SAINZ (CITROEN): ".. I'm not the only quick driver on narrow stages! Seb is also a favourite, as are Marcus, Markko and Petter. But it's true that I like narrow roads and I will naturally be out to do my very best."

• MARTIN (FORD) : "... I don't really know what to expect in Sardinia because I have never been there before .. The stages will be new to everyone so that ensures that nobody has the advantage of greater experience. In this situation it is important to work hard during the recce. We are only allowed to practice the roads twice before the rally so it is crucial to make sure that the pace notes are as accurate as possible. Two rallies ago in Japan, which was another new event, I struggled with my notes for the first two legs. I don't want to repeat that ... Obviously it's always more difficult the first time you drive competitively over roads that are unknown. Because speeds during the recce are restricted, it's only at full rally pace that a driver really finds all the tricky places. It's good to have the opportunity to drive a new rally and from what I hear the roads have a bit of everything, so it will be a good challenge,"

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