WRC Rally Italy - Sardinia

flying finn · 16 May 2007, 21:33 (Ref:1914959)

WRC Rally Italy - Sardinia

Leg 1 : Friday 18.05 : 6 stages (145.40 Km)
Leg 2 : Saturday 19.05 : 6 stages (142.72 Km)
Leg 3 : Sunday 20.05 : 6 stages (54.74 Km)

18 Special Stages = 342.86 Km

entry list > http://www.rallye-info.com/event_ent....asp?event=438
home page > http://www.rallyitaliasardegna.com/2007/gb/index_gb.htm

Championship Standings

1. S. Loeb (F) 10 8 0 10 10 10 = 48
2. M. Gronholm (FIN) 6 10 8 8 5 8 = 45
3. M. Hirvonen (FIN) 4 6 10 6 4 6 = 36
4. D. Sordo (SP) 8 0 0 5 6 3 = 22
5. P. Solberg (N) 3 0 5 0 8 0 = 16
6. H. Solberg (N) 0 5 6 0 0 4 = 15
7. J. Latvala (FIN) 0 0 4 2 1 5 = 12
8. C. Atkinson (AUS) 5 1 0 4 0 2 = 12
9. D. Carlsson (S) -- 4 2 -- 3 -- = 9
10. M. Stohl (AUT) 0 2 0 3 0 1 = 6
11. T. Gardemeister (FIN) 2 3 0 -- 0 -- = 5
12. G. Galli (I) -- 0 3 -- 2 0 -- = 5
13. J. Kopecky (CZ) 1 0 1 -- 0 = 2
14. M.Wilson (GB) 0 0 0 1 0 0 = 1

**BertMk2** · 17 May 2007, 07:40 (Ref:1915137)

I can't see this one being anything other than an easy win for Loeb

(OK - even easier than normal

)

**BertMk2** · 18 May 2007, 12:28 (Ref:1915995)

3 stages completed and the top ten is:

Latvala
Gronholm
P Solberg
H Solberg
Loeb
Atkinson
Hirvonen
Sordo
Hanninen
Ostberg

Good to see a new face at the top of the timesheets

Roundy Mooney · 18 May 2007, 12:56 (Ref:1916023)

Wilson 1min52secs down on his team mate after 3 stages. Time for Big M to bite the bullet and give the seat to someone else like Mickelson, Meeke or Wilks. they can't be any worse and definatley deserve a run.

**BertMk2** · 18 May 2007, 13:37 (Ref:1916062)

I'd have to agree with that, Latvala has done a good job and Henning is getting solid results too. Wilson is inexperienced but so is Latvala so he can't rely on that as an excuse. Time to give someone else a run, as you say - there's nothing to lose really.

**BertMk2** · 18 May 2007, 15:23 (Ref:1916124)

Stage 4 sees Gronholm take the lead and Loeb climb up the order:

Gronholm
Latvala
Loeb
H Solberg
Hirvonen
P Solberg
Atkinson
Sordo
Gardemeister
Stohl

Petter Solberg left service late and picked up a 10 second penalty which has dropped him down a bit.

WJM · 18 May 2007, 15:24 (Ref:1916125)

Stage 6 done and Loeb 23 seconds ahead

Gronholm had a broken shock absorber, but is still running. Atkinson and Latvala both crashed. Petter Solberg had brake problems and dropped down behind Sordo.

Knowlesy · 18 May 2007, 17:27 (Ref:1916184)

Still a long way to go yet folks.

Err...

Knowlesy · 19 May 2007, 19:43 (Ref:1916844)

Standings after day two:

1. Loeb Citroen 3h12:45.6
2. Gronholm Ford + 36.5
3. Hirvonen Ford + 1:30.2
4. Sordo Citroen + 2:22.4
5. Solberg Ford + 2:32.7
6. Solberg Subaru + 3:02.6
7. Gardemeister Mitsubishi + 5:21.5
8. Stohl Citroen + 5:44.8
9. Hanninen Mitsubishi + 9:43.3
10. Latvala Ford + 12:15.8

Right, time to get Schumacher out of that Citroen, he's running away again!

Decent run for Henning and Toni.

WJM · 20 May 2007, 09:24 (Ref:1917092)

Loeb crashed and out

And Gronholm should have been disqualified after losing his spare wheel yesterday, but wasn't... (you are obliged to carry 5 wheels all the time).

Knowlesy · 20 May 2007, 10:11 (Ref:1917112)

Did I read that right? Is this a dream?

cptkablamo · 20 May 2007, 11:05 (Ref:1917154)

Quote:

Originally Posted by WJM

And Gronholm should have been disqualified after losing his spare wheel yesterday, but wasn't... (you are obliged to carry 5 wheels all the time).

Yeah...but if you were to do that you would have had to disqualify Loeb last year in Greece? where he lost a rear wheel...if they had done anything to Gronholm, it would have looked like extreme favourtism to Loeb...

But like everyone, I am shocked at Loeb going out...

WJM · 20 May 2007, 19:10 (Ref:1917413)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cptkablamo

Yeah...but if you were to do that you would have had to disqualify Loeb last year in Greece? where he lost a rear wheel...if they had done anything to Gronholm, it would have looked like extreme favourtism to Loeb...

The rules are changed this year. Last year these things were sort of allowed, now they are strictly forbidden.

bigted · 20 May 2007, 19:51 (Ref:1917447)

i almost fell out of my chair when i heard Loeb crashed!

HrRACING · 20 May 2007, 20:19 (Ref:1917460)

blimey

GolddustMini · 20 May 2007, 21:57 (Ref:1917529)

they have changed the rules to ensure that cars arnt dragged back to service on their sump guards, i wasnt aware it was a requirement to have 5 wheels on the car (what if you choose to run without a spare) only to have the 4 running wheels attached. his car was over the weight limit which was what the flap was about at service, and it was deamed ok.......

WJM- he had 5 wheels on his car anyway.... if you count the one in his hands.......

either way a solid result for gronholm (dispite problems) to capitalise on a rare mistake by loeb, good result for sordo as well.

**BertMk2** · 21 May 2007, 09:05 (Ref:1917765)

Well that result came as a bit of a shock - it's been a long time since loeb made a mistake and didn't get away with it. Final top ten:

1. Gronholm
2. Hirvonen
3. Sordo
4. H Solberg
5. P Solberg
6. Gardemeister
7. Stohl
8. Hanninen
9. Latvala
10. Atkinson

The Fords look strong again and I expect Henning will have taken great pleasure in beating Petter again

The sparse nature of the field is evident again though - more quality entries are definitely needed.

Gronholm retakes the lead in the drivers championship and now has a 7 point advantage over Loeb, Ford has increased it's lead in the manufactruers table to 21 points.

MR666 · 21 May 2007, 09:27 (Ref:1917780)

Any one seen photos or a video?

**gomick** · 21 May 2007, 09:38 (Ref:1917789)

well, it is a big surprise, but it has taken 3 or 4 years

- could this be what marcus has been waiting for

.... shall be an enthralling run for the rest of the season

c'mon chris atkinson

- deliver...

**BertMk2** · 21 May 2007, 11:08 (Ref:1917869)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomick

c'mon chris atkinson

- deliver...

Subaru are going to run a third car for the second half of the season (Xavi Pons at the wheel) so it'll be interesting to see how he stacks up against Atkinson. Atkinson really needs to start getting some results.

cptkablamo · 21 May 2007, 12:44 (Ref:1917944)

If Pons outdoes Atko...I fear to say its the end of Atko's international driver...esp now that he has a proven co driver at a world level...saying that, he has never had the luck or really the car under him...

I reckon give Jari-Matti a few years and he will be right up there...but it seems at the moment that really close finishes are a dream...

cg7aa · 21 May 2007, 12:50 (Ref:1917954)

Did Gigi Galli enter this rally at all? I would have thought this was practically a home event for him.

**BertMk2** · 21 May 2007, 14:19 (Ref:1918032)

I don't think Galli was on the entry list, shame really as he's certainly entertaining to watch

Subaru may well be bringing in Pons to compare his pace with Atkinson - if he's quicker then maybe Pons will get a full season next year at Atkinsons expense?

cg7aa · 21 May 2007, 14:49 (Ref:1918057)

You can say that again! The very reason I'm heading to Finland this year. He was pretty spectacular some years ago in the Mitsubishi.

sihorton · 21 May 2007, 14:50 (Ref:1918058)

I don't think that people doubt that at times Chris can be as fast as the best of them over a stage, but lacks the consitant results that will keep him in the works drive.

Will see have xavi does in the number 3 car for the rest of the year.

Si

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