A good start for SWRT

The 2008 season’s first rally, Rally Monte Carlo, is completed, with a really good result for SWRT. Petter ended 5th, and his teamcollegue Chris Atkinson ended 3rd. This is Petters best result in Monte Carlo ever, and it is the second time Chris is on the podium. The good result puts Subaru in second position in the manufacturer championship, only 1 point behind Citroen. A brilliant start on the new season! Sebastien Loeb is the winner, while Mikko Hirvonen ended second.

49 crews were set to start the 76th Rally Monte Carlo. 19 specialstages and 365 competitive kilometres to drive on small and narrow tarmac-roads up in the mountains of Ardeche and the Col du Turini. Not much snow in Ardeche, but the famous Col du Turini gave the drivers quite a challenge with snow in the stages.

The rally started with two special stages on Thursday evening, and continued with 6 stages on Friday and 6 stages on Saturday. On Saturday evening the crews went by bus 400kms from Valence to Monaco, to finish the rally with 4 special stages in the mountains north of Nice. A superspecial in the lower part of the F1 circuit completed the weekend. And again we could follow a battle for seconds between Chris and this time, Duval. In 2007 Chris was fighting with Mikko Hirvonen.

Next event is Swedish Rally, 8. – 10. February.

Overall classification Rally Monte Carlo

1. Sebastien Loeb, Citroen
2. Mikko Hirvonen, Ford
3. Chris Atkinson, Subaru
4. Francois Duval, Stobart Ford
5. Petter Solberg, Subaru
6. Gigi Galli, Stobart Ford
7. Cuoq, Peugeot
8. PG Andersson, Suzuki
9. Henning Solberg, Stobart Ford

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Leg 3, Rally Monte Carlo

When Leg 3 of Rally Monte Carlo are completed Petter and Phil is in the 5th place. They made some changes for the grip after SS 11,and it worked well.

Chris Atkinson,Subaru beated both Duval and Loeb,and was the fastest on SS 13 today.

Sordo,Gardemeister and Latvala have had mechanical and engine-problems today. Gardemeister will not start tomorrow. Latvala and Sordo will maybe start again tomorrow during Super-Rally-rules.

Rally Monte Carlo ends Sunday with 5 more stages,the first car starting at 09.50.
The last stage is a superspecial in the Formula 1 track along the harbour in Monte Carlo. It starts 15.10

Overall classification leg 3 Rally Monte Carlo

1. Loeb,Citroen
2. Hirvonen,Ford+2.10,6
3. Chris,Subaru+3.02,6
4. Duval,Ford+3.22,7
5. Petter,Subaru+4.11,8
6. Galli,Ford+7.39,7
7. Cuoq,Peugeot+8.19,7
8. Andersson,Suzuki+9.31,8
9. Henning,Ford+11.17,0
10.Gardemeister,Suzuki+11.23,4

Leg 2, Rally Monte Carlo

After Day 2 of Rally Monte Carlo Petter and Phil are holding their 6th position.
They have had a good day,and are satisfied with the driving and the tyres.
Petter said this morning after SS 3 that it was very tricky,and that they were trying hard to do their best without taking any chances.

Because of new rules this year,the car that leading the Rally after Day 1,start as nr.1 the following Day,so Loeb was the first car on the roads also today. He and Elena hold their 1th position after Day 2.

Rally Monte Carlo continues with 6 more stages on Saturday, with the first car starting at 07.31

Overall classification leg 2 Rally Monte Carlo
1. Loeb,Citroen
2. Sordo,Citroen+56,6
3. Hirvonen,Ford+1.22,8
4. Chris,Subaru+2.28,6
5. Duval,Ford+2.42,6
6. Petter,Subaru+3.09,6
7. Galli,Ford+5.21,1
8. Cuoq,Peugeot+5.27,9
9. Latvala,Ford+6.55,8
10.Henning,Ford+6.58,7