39TH Rally Catalunya (2003)

[Focus2000]

With the WRC circuit off to Catalunya this weekend it's time for the usual poll. Who do you fancy as the most likely winner on Sunday?

I'm going to go for Markko again mainly because when he's not driving his Focus into the scenery he's setting some blinding times.

Don't forget that Carlos Sainz could win the championship on this, his home event. He'll be fired up and going for the win!

[ales]

My vote goes the same way

[Srocket_3]

I personally think that Solberg is going to pull his head out of where it has been located the past few rallys and I think he might just bag this one.....he has a lot of pressure on him so you never know....

[freakray]

Originally Posted by Srocket_3

I personally think that Solberg is going to pull his head out of where it has been located the past few rallys and I think he might just bag this one.....he has a lot of pressure on him so you never know....

What the HELL are you talking about?
In the last 4 rallies Solberg has 2 wins, a second and a DNF.
That doesn't sound like a bad record to me.

[XspudX]

Look for Panizzi to pull a surprise on everyone and walk away with the 1st place. Gronholm will place 2nd with Sainz in 3rd. Loeb will crash on day 2, and Martin will have a mishap that will put him into 9th place on day 3.

[Guido]

The wheather conditions in Spain are not so good, so - believe it or not - Solberg will win this one. He might be the third dog in this years campaign. Grabbing it in front of Carlos nose. I hate to say it, but realistically, he has the best chances in this stage to do it. Also his crash on last shake-down has put him into an unbeatable mode...

Oh and euh, like I said the other day, forget about the Pug's they're working on next year car. The 206 can't keep up anymore. Does last weekend event wasn't evidence enough. Panizzi fuming after stage 2 that his car was dog-slow

[gnasha]

Well, if the 206 have shown more pace in the last few rallies I would definitly give Panazzi for the win. But as it seems that Peugeot's focus is definitly on the 307 I think Loeb could come back strongly in this one. However if the weather condition deteriorates, it would be more between Sainz and Solberg.

[freakray]

With Solberg getting a 50 second penalty for leaving service late, I think we can only hope for rain if he's going to be a contender.

[gnasha]

... BLOODY HELL, I didn't realise it was this week-end, Duh!
Quick WRC.com... ...well it's looking good for the chevrons.

[Stefanel1]

Results for this Friday :

1. 18 Sébastien LOEB (F)

CITROËN Xsara 1:31:37.8 0.0

2. 19 Carlos SAINZ (E)

CITROËN Xsara 1:32:04.0 +26.2

3. 4 Markko MÄRTIN (EE)

FORD Focus RS WRC 03 1:32:09.0 +31.2

4. 3 Gilles PANIZZI (F)

PEUGEOT 206 WRC 1:32:11.3 +33.5

5. 5 Francois DUVAL (B)

FORD Focus RS WRC 03 1:32:32.8 +55.0

6. 2 Richard BURNS (GB)

PEUGEOT 206 WRC 1:32:51.8 +1:14.0

7. 17 Colin MCRAE (GB)

CITROËN Xsara 1:33:00.7 +1:22.9

8. 20 Philippe BUGALSKI (F)

CITROËN Xsara 1:33:17.1 +1:39.3

9. 8 Tommi MÄKINEN (FIN)

SUBARU Impreza WRC 2003 1:33:19.8 +1:42.0

10. 1 Marcus GRÖNHOLM (FIN)

PEUGEOT 206 WRC 1:33:34.0 +1:56.2

11. 7 Petter SOLBERG (N)

SUBARU Impreza WRC 2003 1:33:37.8 +2:00.0

12. 21 Cedric ROBERT (F)

PEUGEOT 206 WRC 1:33:54.5 +2:16.7

13. 15 Toni GARDEMEISTER (FIN)

SKODA Fabia WRC 1:34:33.9 +2:56.1

14. 22 Roman KRESTA (CZ)

PEUGEOT 206 WRC 1:34:51.4 +3:13.6

15. 14 Didier AURIOL (F)

SKODA Fabia WRC 1:35:43.7 +4:05.9

16. 6 Mikko HIRVONEN (FIN)

FORD Focus Rs Wrc 02 1:37:08.0 +5:30.2

[Deakins]

Rain! This should be interesting. Go Petter!

[ales]

Get this!!!!!!!!!!!

Gilles
Panizzi
wins
the
2003
Rally of
Catalunya!!!
(with Loeb in second just in front of Markko)

He took it on the very final stage, just when it counted! Very very impressive! Perfect result! As you can see, I'm very happy!

The championship standings also look interstting with Loeb and Sainz equal on top with Solberg just behind.

[freakray]

A well deserved win for Gilles!

An excellent fight back by Petter.

[z33guy]

w o w

[gnasha]

What a final day!!! He's definitly the "Roi de l'alsphate" and Loeb is his "dauphin". This season is a cracker.
The last rally being in Wales, Solberg and Sainz got my vote for the final fight.