Petter Solberg Steers Subaru to NZ Win
Norway’s Solberg saw his overnight lead cut back as Gronholm won the 18th and 21st special stages. With two stages left, Ford’s Gronholm had secured a 1.9sec lead over Subaru driver Solberg. But Gronholm lost 15 seconds when his handbrake jammed on the penultimate stage and Solberg clung on to win. Gronholm did recover to claim the final stage, but finished second, 5.9sec off the lead, while Markko Martin in a Ford Focus took third.
“It has been an incredible rally,” said Solberg.”I tell you, if there’s one man you don’t want behind you on the last day, it’s Marcus Gronholm. “We were both pushing like hell out there. He had trouble, then I had trouble. I’m totally exhausted but overall it’s been really, really good fun.” “The most important thing is that the car has taken a step forward,” said Gronholm. “It’s nice to be on the pace all the time and there are improvements still to come for the car. I’m very confident for the rest of the season.”
The podium finish saw Martin take sole possession in the driver’s championship, the Estonian leading with 26 points after four rounds.
Frenchman Sebastien Loeb, who piloted his Citroen Xsara to fourth place overall more than one minute behind Solberg, is second in the standings with 25 points.
Gronholm and Solberg are both well within striking distance though, the two rivals on 24 and 23 points.
Final results:
1 Petter Solberg (Nor) Subaru Impreza WRC 4hr 2min 29.5sec
2 Marcus Gronholm (Fin) Peugeot 307 WRC at 5.9sec
3 Markko Martin (Est) Ford Focus WRC 25.6
4 Sebastien Loeb (Fra) Citroen Xsara WRC 1:05.2
5 Harri Rovanpera (Fin) Peugeot 307 WRC 2:23.7
6 Carlos Sainz (Spa) Citroen Xsara WRC 3:08.9
7 Mikko Hirvonen (Fin) Subaru Impreza WRC 5:42.5
8 Daniel Carlsson (Swe) Peugeot 206 WRC 13:23.8
