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THE REIGN IN SPAIN STAYS MAINLY ON PODIUM

It wasn’t quite the fairy tale ending that his legions of fans wanted or dreamed off, but for the World’s most successful rally driver, Carlos Sainz, finishing his final home event before his retirement on the podium, albeit not the top step, was quite sufficient to end his reign in Spain.

“The result doesn’t really matter, in the end,” said Carlos Sainz at the end of the Rally Catalunya at the weekend (29-31 November) as climbed a World Rally Championship podium for the 96th time. “For us, this was a rally full of emotion, the last time through these special stages, in front of my public. The result doesn’t really matter, in the end. The crowds flocked to support us. They gave me a wonderful gift, and I would like to thank them all!”

This not to say that “El Matador” had driven his final rally in Spain with anything less than the grit and determination for which his name has become a byword over the past 24 years. Right to the last stage he took the battle to second place holder Marcus Gronholm and the pair of Subarus following in his wake knew that there was little chance of catching the Sainz/Gronholm battle. Nor did he back off in the service park, taking what can only be considered a brave choice with tyres for the final stages in a bid to make up the nine second shortfall on Gronholm. Unfortunately, Carlos found that the roads had dried too much and were too dirty for this choice to be able to overturn the battle

Back in the final Spanish service park, the pressure was off, and the joking started.

“I don’t know how I manage to do it, Sainz told the adoring crowds. “I can never just maintain my position in the third leg. On Sunday, I am always still fighting hard with someone or other. I really tried everything to get passed Marcus. He was able to put up strong resistance, bravo!"

Absent at the end was team mate Sébastien Loeb, a stone having put paid to his event, when he leading the event in a major battle with the Ford team.

“Sebastian’s rally, unfortunately was cut short, but it proved that the time differences in Corsica were purely down to the decision to favour the title fight,” said team manager Guy Fréquelin. “Our Xsara, when Seb is pushing, has undoubtedly the potential to be at the front. I will also long remember the superb performance from Carlos Sainz during this Rally Catalunya, fighting tooth and nail until the finish line, and rewarded by a well-deserved podium.”

With the World Rally Championship now heading for Australia, anyone who thinks that the Citroen team will back off for the final event will be disappointed. Sébastien Loeb will be more than eager to finish his World Championship winning season with a win and Carlos Sainz, as probably the greatest rally driver of all time, will want to end his career with a final climb to the top step of the podium.

Rally statistics

Stage wins

Leg 1. SS1: François Duval (Ford Focus) – SS2: Sébastien Loeb (Citroën Xsara) – SS3 and 4: F. Duval – SS5: S. Loeb – SS6: Markko Märtin (Ford Focus).

Leg 2. SS7: S. Loeb – SS8: M. Märtin – SS9: Marcus Grönholm (Peugeot 307) – SS10: cancelled – SS11:M. Grönholm – SS12: M. Märtin – SS13: M. Grönholm – SS14: Carlos Sainz (Citroën Xsara).

Leg 3. SS15: Stéphane Sarrazin (Subaru Impreza) – SS16: C. Sainz and M. Märtin – SS17: M. Märtin – SS18, 19 and 20: M. Grönholm.

Best performers

M. Grönholm, 6 fastest times - M. Märtin, 5 - F. Duval, 3 – S. Loeb, 3 – C. Sainz, 2 – S. Sarrazin, 1.

Successive leaders

SS1: F. Duval – SS2 and 3: S. Loeb - SS 4: F. Duval – SS5 to 7: S. Loeb – SS8 à 20: M. Märtin.

Final positions of Rallye Catalunya Costa Brava/Rallye de España.

1.  M. Märtin/M. Park (Ford Focus) h 40 mn 43,8 s

2.  M. Grönholm/T. Rautiainen (Peugeot 307) + 23,2 s

3.  C. Sainz/M. Marti (Citroën Xsara) + 37,7 s

4.  S. Sarrazin/P. Pivato (Subaru Impreza) 2 mn 50,4 s

5.  P. Solberg/Ph. Mills (Subaru Impreza) 3 mn 06,7 s

6.  D. Solà/X. Amigo (Mitsubishi Lancer) 4 mn 05,7 s

7.  G. Galli/G. D’Amore (Mitsubishi Lancer) 4 mn 05,9 s

8.  M. Hirvonen/J. Lehtinen (Subaru Impreza) + 4 mn 31,7 s

9.  T. Gardemeister/P. Lukander (Skoda Fabia) + 4 mn 37,6 s

10. N. Vouilloz/D. Giraudet (Peugeot 206) 4 mn 45 s …

FIA World Manufacturers’ Rally Championship **

1. Citroën, 184 points (2004 World Champion**) – 2. Ford, 137 pts - 3. Subaru, 117 pts – 4. Peugeot, 93 pts.

FIA World Drivers’ Rally Championship **

1. S. Loeb, 108 points (2004 World Champion**) – 2. P. Solberg, 82 pts - 3. M. Märtin, 79 pts - 4. C. Sainz, 73 pts - 5. M. Grönholm, 62 pts - 6. F. Duval, 47 pts – 7. M. Hirvonen, 24 pts - 8. H. Rovanperä, 20 pts – 9. J. Tuohino, 16 pts – 10. F. Loix, 9 pts – 11. S. Sarrazin, 8 pts – 12. D. Carlsson, 6 pts - 13. G. Panizzi, 6 pts – 14. A. Navarra, 5 pts – 15. G. Galli, 5 pts – 16. C. Robert, 4 pts… etc.

** Results remain provisional subject to FIA confirmation

(ends)

For further information:

Citroën Australia Media Web Site: http://media.ateco.com.au/

Miles Williams

/ Tel: (02) 9701 8020
General Manager / Fax: (02) 9701 3555
Citroën Australia / Mob: 0419 800 520
E-Mail:

Edward Rowe

/ Tel: (02) 9701 8015
Public Relations Manager / Fax: (02) 9701 3555
Citroën Australia / Mob: 0407 913 244
E-Mail:

Web site: www.citroen.com.au

Citroen Australia

Street Address: Heritage Building, Campus Business Park, 350 Parramatta Road, Homebush NSW 2140 Australia.

Postal Address: Ateco Automotive Pty Ltd,Locked Bag 260, Silverwater, NSW 1811, Australia

Telephone: 02 9701 8000; Direct Telephone 02 9701 8015 Fax: 02 9701 3555. Mobile +61 0407 913 244

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EJR/ejr/488

11/3/2004