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Peugeot report day 1
Rally Cyprus - Both Peugeots in the lead
(Rally Cyprus - Peugeot report day 1 [14/05/2004]
The conditions today were typical of the Rally Cyprus, with rough rocks,
tight hairpin bends and searingly hot temperatures. Marcus had no
mechanical problems at all during the morning's loop of three stages, but
he suffered a clutch failure at the end of stage four. This meant that he
had to get off the start line of stages five and six using just the starter
motor. Despite this considerable handicap, Marcus is in the rally lead
heading back to Parc Ferme in Limassol, having set a fastest stage time
on SS4.
"I'm very happy to be leading-this is something that I am always trying to
do!" he said. "Of course, the problem with the clutch was a big handicap
on the last stages, especially because one of the starts was facing uphill.
But on the whole the car has been excellent throughout the day, and
has given me a lot of confidence in these very rough conditions.But
there's a long way to go and we can take nothing for granted.
Tomorrow we must keep pushing."
Harri had an equally good day, and was free of major mechanical
problems throughout. He was constantly on the same pace as Marcus,
and ends the day within sight of the lead.
"It´s been an excellent day for me,"he said. "The conditions were difficult,
but I have nothing in particular to complain about. The car has felt very
strong and we have been able to push at a good pace without taking any
stupid risks. There are so many big rocks here that you can have a
problem very quickly. That's why it's best not to think too much about what
will happen next – it could be anything!"
Tomorrow's second leg of the Rally Cyprus takes in six more rocky
stages, split once more into two groups of three. The first car leaves parc
ferme at 0745, before returning to Limassol at 2100.
1. GRÖNHOLM, Marcus Peugeot 307 WRC 1.57.24.6
2. ROVANPERÄ, Harri Peugeot 307 WRC 1.57.35.3
3. LOEB, Sebastien Citröen Xsara WRC 1.57.44.7
4. MARTIN, Markko Ford Focus WRC 1.57.45.6
5. SAINZ , Carlos Citröen Xsara WRC 1.57.51.3
6. HIRVONEN, Mikko Subaru Impreza WRC 2.00.03.7
7. THUOINO, Jane Ford Focus WRC 2.01.44.1
8. PANIZZI, Gilles Mitsubishi Lancer WRC 2.01.46.5
9. SOLBERG, Henning Peugeot 206 WRC 2.03.04.1
10. WARMBOLD, Anthony Ford Focus WRC 2.05.26.2
11. SOLBERG, Petter Subaru Impreza WRC 2.06.57.0
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