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CITROËN CONSOLIDATES CHAMPIONSHIP POSITION IN FINLAND ~ AND PREPARES FOR AUSTRALIA

Citroën – still in its debut season in the World Rally Championship – has strengthened its position in the World Rally Championship with Citroën Xsara WRC drivers Carlos Sainz and Sébastien Loeb finishing fourth and fifth in the Rally of Finland at the weekend (8-10 August 2003).

Citroën will arrive in Australia for the next round of the World Rally Championship with 97 points in its manufacturers’ championship account, well ahead of Ford’s 60 points and close enough to Peugeot’s 101 points to overhaul their French rivals in the forests around Perth in September. Carlos Sainz, likewise is, with 44 driver’s championship points, close on the tail of championship leading Peugeot driver, Richard Burns, and his 49 points.

“Before the rally, I would have signed a contract for such an outcome,” said Citroen team boss Guy Fréquelin at the end of the rally in Finland. “This event is meant to be one the toughest of the WRC and it was only our second time here. The fight was extreme. Yesterday’s minute penalty given to Colin McRae cost us a lot, because we lost our best positioned car. Fortunately Carlos was as solid as usual and Sébastien has shown again how versatile he is. We improved a lot since last year thanks to the team, as everyone has done a superb job. Again, the Xsara’s reliability has been perfect.”

Last night, Carlos Sainz stood in a good position to fight for second place with Petter Solberg and Richard Burns. But he made a small mistake in today’s first stage which prevented him reaching his goal.

“I went out of a corner a bit too wide and couldn’t avoid going into a ditch. The rear right rim was broken. We changed the wheel after the stage and realised the damper was also damaged from the impact,” explained Sainz.

The Spanish driver lost about thirty seconds, and logically chose to secure his fourth place.

“We have strengthened our positions in both Championships – which still remain very open – and that’s important before the next event in Australia, with its notoriously difficult and demanding conditions.”

Sébastien Loeb experienced a problem-free last leg. Without making any mistakes, he kept Finland five-time winner Tommi Mäkinen at bay. The young Frenchman was as happy as his Spanish team-mate.

“The result for the team is simply great,” said Loeb.“On my side it’s also positive I think. I enjoyed driving here last year, and it’s even better this year. The Xsara improved a lot and its balance is simply remarkable. Daniel and I set some good times in the second passes through the stages, and we put the finishing touches to our pacenotes for next year. We reached our target by scoring valuable points.Australia will be difficult for, even with one event behind us. The conditions are so different from anywhere else, but our aim will be another top six five finish in Perth.”

(ends)

Telefónica Movistar, Michelin, Magneti-Marelli, Kinetic, OZ, AIS and Citroën Financement are the partners of Team Citroën Total in the World Rally Championship

THE RALLY FINLAND IN FIGURES

Stage wins :

Leg 1 : SS1 : Markko Märtin (Ford Focus) – SS2 : Marcus Grönholm (Peugeot 206) and M. Märtin – SS3 : M. Märtin – SS4, SS5 : M. Grönholm - SS6 : M. Märtin – SS7 : Richard Burns (Peugeot 206) – SS8, SS9 : M. Märtin – SS10 : M. Grönholm.

Leg 2 : SS11, SS12 : M. Grönholm – SS13 : R. Burns – SS14 : Colin McRae (Citroën Xsara) – SS15 : R. Burns – SS16 : M. Märtin – SS17 : Petter Solberg (Subaru Impreza)

Leg 3 : SS18 : M. Märtin – SS19, SS20, SS21 : R. Burns – SS22, SS23 : P. Solberg

Best performers

M. Märtin : 8 fastest time (including 1 equal fastest time) – R. Burns : 6 – M. Grönholm : 6 (including 1 equal fastest time) – P. Solberg : 3 – C. McRae : 1.

Leaders

SS1 to SS4 : M. Märtin – SS5 to SS8 : M. Grönholm – SS9 to SS11 : M. Märtin – SS12 to SS13: M. Grönholm – SS14 to SS23 : M. Märtin.

Overall classification

  1. M. Märtin – M. Park (Ford Focus) 3 h 21 mn 51,7 s
  2. P. Solberg – Ph Mills (Subaru Impreza) + 58,9 s
  3. R. Burns – R. Reid (Peugeot 206) + 1 mn 00,1 s
  4. C. Sainz - M. Marti (Citroën Xsara) + 1 mn 59 s
  5. S. Loeb – D. Elena (Citroën Xsara) + 2 mn 48,7 s
  6. T. Mäkinen – K. Lindstrom (Subaru Impreza) + 3 mn 25,2 s
  7. J. Tuohino – J. Aho (Ford Focus) + 4 mn 22,9 s
  8. S. Lindholm – T. Hantunen (Peugeot 206)+ 4 mn 39,5 s
  9. J. Pykälisto – E. Mertsalmi (Peugeot 206)+ 6 mn 23,4 s
  10. F. Loix – S. Smeets (Hyundai Accent) + 8 mn 19,9 s ….

Manufacturers’ Championship

1. Peugeot, 101 pts – 2. Citroën, 97 pts – 3. Ford, 60 pts - 4. Subaru, 60 pts – 5. Skoda, 20 pts – 6. Hyundai, 10 pts

Drivers’ Championship

1. R. Burns, 49 pts – 2. C. Sainz, 44 pts – 3. M. Grönholm, 38 pts – 4. P. Solberg, 38 pts - 5. S. Loeb, 37pts – 6. M. Martin, 37 pts - 7. C. McRae, 28 pts – 8. T. Mäkinen, 18 pts - 9. H. Rovanperä, 16 pts – 10. F. Duval, 11 pts – 11. T. Gardemeister, 9 pts – 12. G. Panizzi, 6 pts – 13. D. Auriol, 4 pts – 14. M. Hirvonen, 3 pts – 15. C. Robert and A. McRae, 3 pts – 17. A. Schwarz, 3 pts – 18. J. Tuohino, 2 pts – 19. A. Ginley, 1 pt – 20. S. Lindholm, 1 pt.

(ends)

For further information:

Citroën Australia Media Web Site:

Miles Williams

/ Tel: (02) 9558 7111
General Manager / Fax: (02) 9558 7722
Citroën Australia / Mob: 0419 800 520
E-Mail:

Edward Rowe

/ Tel: (02) 9558 7111
Public Relations Manager / Fax: (02) 9558 7722
Citroën Australia / Mob: 0407 913 244
E-Mail:

Web site:

EJR/ejr/007

8/11/2003