Petter Solberg:
"Halfway into SS4 I was turning on to a bridge, the road was all covered in ice and I was probably only doing 5kph. I turned, but the car just went straight on into the bridge post, the post broke and the front of the car hung off the bridge – it was like the Italian Job! We stayed there for about 20 seconds and then I put the car in reverse and got going again. I went flat out after that. Monte Carlo is a rally that you have to respect and I’m respecting it a little more now!"

Tommi Mäkinen:
"About 15-16 km into the first one (SS3) we lost the brakes completely. We hit a rock in the road and broke the inside of a wheel and that cut our brake pipe. The fluid drained from the system and we drove the rest of the stage with only the handbrake and engine to slow us down. Before SS4, we fixed the brakes on the other three wheels and topped up the hydraulic fluid with engine oil. It wasn’t ideal but at least we got back to service."

And this is even before they retired!! They both went off during SS5. more info to come...


-PJ

 

...D'OH...

 

Dang..this is definately not good. The new points system puts a greater emphasis on consistency because more points is being distributed to more finishers. This means that after Monte Carlo, 8 drivers would have more points than Petter and Tommi.

 

Certainally not the best way to start the season. i think the points system could actually be a help the 555 team. there are points going to the top 8 drivers, but only 2 points separates 1 & 2. subaru is a very strong contender and with them IN (keyword) races there are less chances for others to get points. consistant top 5 and up can quickly rebuild their standing. thats assuming Gronholm, or another 1 driver doesn't win everyrace.

o and by the way, Gronholms had a bit of a tangle on the road, and no longer sits in contention to win! hehe...

top 3:
1 S LOEB 0.0
2 C MCRAE +1:07.9
3 C SAINZ +1:45.0


-PJ