Corona Rally Mexico 2004

[RallyRaider]

First leg is run and still no Rally Mexico thread yet? Thought I'd better start one!

Very small entry list as usual for this year (thanks Max ) only about 14 A8 cars in it as all of the works teams have only the minimum two entries. Rovanpera is back to the fold for Peugeot, Loix presumably on "gardening leave". A lot of new rules being introduced for the first time, a limit on tyres and flexi-service at some points. The tyres in particular have the potential to screw things up as the teams had to choose their compounds over a month ago, with very little data, since Mexico is new event.

The first leg only featured four stages and Solberg came out the winner on stage times. Unfortunately he was awarded a 40 second penalty when his car wouldn't start up at final service which dropped him back to fourth. That didn't seem too bad but worse news was to follow - a five-minute penalty for receiving outside assistance pushing his car to the top of a ramp at time control. That drops him back to 13th and outside all contention, he might as well go home

The drama has left Seb Loeb in his now customary first position, teammate Sainz in third. Gronholm is only a handful of seconds behind Loeb in second, with Rovanpera warming up to the 307 in fifth, doesn’t look likely to repeat his feat of winning first time out in the 206! Martin and Duval are not up with the pace of the leaders, could that be something to do with the tyres they brought with them?

Since I live in Australia all the action happens very early in the morning so I won't be following it live on the net.

[freakray]

Been too busy at work to even try to keep up with motorsports, let alone the forums.

Sad to hear about Petter, but looking at all the electronics on the 'new' Impreza it's not surprising.

[RallyRaider]

Not a good pattern emerging so far this year. It would appear the way to win in 2004 to take it easy, nurse the car and not make mistakes. Worked for Loeb in Sweden and now for Martin in Mexico (so far). The FIA’s rule changes are working well

Most ridiculous was the paperwork error that forced Carlos Sainz to run the whole leg on one set of tyres! Including starting the final stage on an already punctured tyre.

Barring any major upsets the podium should consist of Sainz and the two Fords. Hirvonen will probably make it easy for Solberg to catch him for fourth. Gronholm and Rovanpera will just be waiting for the next part of their 307s to snap, leak, fail or break. Hope Peugeot can get everything sorted for New Zealand in only a months time...

[ales]

In all honesty, I haven't been following the rally at all... Will try to read up on the events.

[ales]

Wow, cool, a Ford 1-2 with Carlos in 3rd. Nice and unexpected.

[1viadrft]

Petter was robbed! He would've won! But that's the beauty and excitement of rally... anything can happen!

[mattwrx100]

I think petter would have won if it wasnt for that time penalty also. The car function pretty well except for that dead battery but if he didnt have spectators help it looked like from the coverage it would have taken him alot longer. The intresting thing is to see how the new focus wrc will function in New Zeland. I also think Markko got very lucky this rally with Solberg getting the 5min. and 40sec. penalty and Loeb hitting the rock and damaging his oil system. If Markko drives like he did this rally all season with the spins and all I don't think Ford will stay up at the top for long. But thats just my opinion.

[1viadrft]

I thougt Solberg got a 15min. penalty? He was up to 5min. at the end of the race...

[street_racer_00]

You gotta Feel for Petter. 5 mins 40 seconds in penalties and loses the rally by 3 mins 15 seconds. He woulda walked away with it. Oh well, I still think he's the man to beat again this year, although Loeb is looking mighty strong. Sad to see that the works mitsubishi team is struggling with their car so much, too.

[Anti-Lag]

an amazing driver and am in AW
he could of stoped and picked up a pint he drove like he was posesed
and i think it might ask some questions how the bloody bloody hell he did that !!
it was the new impreza to with it's lower engine /center of gravity
if he ceeps driving like that loeb will be in the shtoom

[c32b1 NSX]

mexico was a really big punishment for most of the teams. great rally though.