Rally Argentina 2008 – result

Going into the third day of Rally Argentina, Petter was in a good second position. But on todays first stage his car suffered a total electrical failure and he were forced to retire from the rally.

Yet there was a good result for Subaru in Argentina. Chris Atkinson drove into 2nd. The winner of the 2008 Rally Argentina is Sebastien Loeb.

Next event is Jordan Rally, 24. – 27. April.

Overall classification Rally Argentina 2008

1. Sebastien Loeb, Citroen – total time 4.05.48,6
2. Chris Aktinson,, Subaru + 2.33,2
3. Dani Sordo, Citroen + 4.04,7
4. Rautenbach, Citroen +20.03,5
5. Mikko Hirvonen, Ford + 25.15,3
6. Federico Villagra, Ford + 27.42,0
7. Gigi Galli, Ford + 27.51,8
8. Andreas Aigner, Mitsubishi + 28.59,3

Petter stopped on stage 19

After fantastic driving for two days, Petter experienced his worse nightmare, when his car stopped on stage 19. With only three more stages to go on the final day of Rally Argentina, it should possible to secure his 2nd position. – We were going extremely well on the stage, suddenly the car just stopped! It was terrible; right now I’m just really disappointed and sad. The problem was electrical, Petter said on the phone shortly after the incident.

Petter is still 2nd in Argentina

Another fantastic day in Argentina for Petter and Subaru. Petter is 2nd and Chris Atkinson is 3rd. Sebastien Loeb is still holding first position when day 2 in Rally Argentina is finished. – The stages are so muddy and slippery, but it’s good fun being out there when things are going so well!

Petter ended the day with 5 stage wins and was fighting in top 3 on the other 4 stages of the day. If this result should stay until the finish, this will be the first time since 2003 that two Subaru’s are on the podium. In Wales 2003 Petter was first and Tommi Makinen third.

Rally Argentina continues with 3 more stages Sunday. First car is on stage at 0913 local time.

Overall classification Day 2

1. Sebastien Loeb, Citroen
2. Petter, Subaru +1.19,6
3. Chris Atkinson, Subaru +2.08,5
4. Dani Sordo, Citroen +3.32,3
5. Rautenbach, Citroen +18.00,1
6. Mikko Hirvonen, Ford +24.44,5
7. Andreas Aigner, Mitsubishi +25.27,2
8. Federico Villagra, Ford +25.53,4

Saturday – morning stages

Sebastien Loeb is still in the lead, but Petter has climbed up to 2nd when we are halfway trough the second day of Rally Argentina. Chris Atkinson is number three. Petter started the day with a stage win and continued with second and third fastest times. Henning is competing under Superally regulations today, since he had to retire after a damaged suspension yesterday. He is 19 after SS13. PG Andersson is also doing Superally today, and is currently 27. Hirvonen is driving SupeRally today, he also went off the road yesterday and were forced to retire. Latvala had problems with the tricky conditions yesterday, and today his car wouldn’t start on SS11 and he lost almost 15 minutes. He is no 8.

The cars are in the servicepark now, before they head out for the second loop trough the morning stages. The roads are expected to be with huge ruts comparing to the morning run trough.

Overall SS13

1. Sebastien Loeb, Citroen
2. Petter, Subaru +1.32,4
3. Chris, Subaru +1.36,5
4. Galli, Ford +2.46,8

Elda report

Friday evening;

We are already back home after attending the Super Special very happy with an exceptional 3º position of Petter. He was precise and concentrated in all the curves and he bring us a wonderful minutes of pleasure.  
During the whole day rained and of course during the Super Special was not the exception. 
Since we enter the circuit until we retire, the rain was present preventing to achieve good pictures. 
Really the worse was the circuit…a very narrow muddy…and with a car per time!!!!! 
As spectator I found the most boring thing that I saw in my life. 
I believe that it is time that the organizers of the rally make a decent circuit for this event because as much the crews as the public deserve it. 
There were not microphones announcing to the cars arrived, there was not any giant screen at least where we were… it was not a good show really…I´m so sad. 
The best thing of everything was of course the Subaru Nº 5 of Petter and Phil, the unfolding of the Police to organize the people and parking places.
Tomorrow a second day: All our support and love for Petter and Phil us always. 
Good night to all. 

Elda for PSSC.  

Petter is 3rd

Two Subaru’s in top 3, when the day 1 are finished in Argentina. Petter is 3rd and Chris Atkinson is 2nd. Sebastien Loeb is in the lead.

During the day drivers had to struggle with heavy rain, fog and low clouds. The roads are extremely muddy and the tricky conditions are quite a challenge. At SS1 and SS2 this morning the fog came in only 15 seconds and made it almost impossible to see anything. First on the road this morning was Mikko Hirvonen, and on SS1 he was 48 seconds faster than the next car trough. Being first on the road under these tricky conditions is a good advantage. Every car is creating deep ruts on their run. Hirvonen kept his lead for the next stages, but on SS4 he hit a rock and stopped on the stage. Henning also got into trouble and were forced to stop on the stage with a broken front suspension. Swedish PG Andersson retired from the rally on the way to the start of SS1 with engine problems.

Rally Argentina continues with 9 more stages Saturday. Petter will be car number 3 on the road. First car is on stage at 0805 local time.

Overall classification Day 1

1. Sebastien Loeb, Citroen
2. Chris Atkinson, Subaru +1.30,6
3. Petter, Subaru +1.38,9
4. Gigi Galli, Ford +1.47,7
5. Dani Sordo, Citroen +2.06,9
6. Federico Villagra, Ford +4.48,3
7. Matthew Wilson, Ford +6.18,3
8. Jari-Matti Latvala, Ford +9.27,5

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Elda for PSSC

Friday morning.

If the rain doesn’t stop,  will be a rally where the crews will have to support the most diverse problem due to the bad reining weather in the whole mountains area added to the fog that gets off the mountains and the high humidity. 
It will be a great challenge for the crews that will have to fight against the oily mud
The inconsistent weather conditions will be the big protagonist in this rally.
In spite of the rain always the fanatics brings to all the world the colour and the heat of this rally……something sad because with the rain they cannot make their BBQ.
Here in the city we are very anxious that arrive Super Special´s time in the Stadium!
I hope you can see me in the tribune with my letters of  P-E-T-T-E-R -!!!!!
See you soon and many greetings.

GO-GO-GO –PETTER & PHIL GOOOOO!!!!!

Elda for PSSC.

Petter fastest at shakedown

Heavy rain did not stop Petter at todays shakedown in Argentina. With the time 2.27,6 he was 0,4 seconds faster than Sebastien Loeb on the 4,59 kms test stage this morning.

Rally Argentina starts Friday morning – Argentina time.

Times – Shakdown

1. P. Solberg: 2:37.6
2. Loeb: 2:38.0
3. Hirvonen: 2:38.9
4. Latvala: 2:39.5
5. H. Solberg: 2:40.7
6. Galli: 2:40.9
7. Atkinson: 2:42.6
8. Villagra: 2:44.6
9. Wilson: 2:45.6
10. Gardemeister: 2:46.1
11. Perez-Companc: 2:46.3
12. Sordo: 2:47.1
13. Andersson: 2:49.5
14. Rautenbach: 2:55.6

Eldas report

Very early in the morning we leave for the place where will run during the day the Shakedown.
When we arrive to Cabalango place under an intense rain, the police didnt allow us to cross the bridge because the water passed on it.
For that we decide to take another route about 18 kilometers of distance for enter across the area of the start called Villa García.
There, we were waiting the arrival of the WRC and the first car in appearing was Chris´s car.
After few minutes we saw at the end of the street the Petter´s car with its lit lights and proving to the maximum the Pirelli tyres.
He stopped the car for a control of FIA while Phil for his side testing the tyres.
The emotion of being living another rally made me so happy.
I said Petter and Phil good luck and both goes on the road for our mountains!
Supporting a torrential rain we stays to the side of the road until passed all the cars many times, but when we cannot support more the rain we decide to return to our pick up.

Hope the weather change!
Elda for PSSC.

Wednesday 26th
After a big rain stopped we decide to attend in disco Club Inn the launching of a book in honor to Argentinean´s rally driver deceased during a rally called Jorge Recalde.
The ceremony was very emotive with the presence of his relatives and friends.
When we saw the video of his races and when we listen a song, the memory took our senses and an immense emotion moved us because we remembered that he was not only a great rally driver also he was a great person.
We return the city full of emotion and very anxious to read the book about his memories and ready to sleep only some hours and to leave for the shakedown
Elda for PSSC.

A picture with Mr.Del Buono co-driver of the died pilot and so remembered for the Argentina people:Jorge Recalde.