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Corona Rally Mexico |
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Production Car World Rally Championship Rd.2 12 to 14 March 2004 |
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Itinerary | |
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| Entry List | |||
| Course Map | |||
| Results | |||
| Preview | |||
| Leg1 Report | |||
| Leg2 Report | |||
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Leg3 Report | ||
| Gallery | |||
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WRC |
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Production Car World Rally Championship (PCWRC) Rd.2 Infomation
Toshi and Niall Both on the Podium
SUBARU drivers finish Corona Rally Mexico 2nd and 3rd in Group N Leg3
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Event News 14 March 2004 |
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Toshi Arai took the first three stages today at a nice and steady speed, although he had to answer Niall McShea's challenging pace to maintain second spot in the PCWRC. He faced no problems at all on the last two stages of the rally, but lifted his pace close to maximum attack in order to make sure he stayed ahead of Niall."Toshi has driven a very good rally and fully deserves his second place. The pace at the front of PCWRC was very challenging and was bound to turn into a race of attrition. Toshi pushed hard throughout the event to a sustainable level but even at that he hit some problems which cost him his chance to challenge for category victory. Toshi is looking forward to what he regards as home territory in NZ and is aiming firmly for the top spot on this, the next event" - George Donaldson, STI Group N Project General Manager. 
Meanwhile, McShea went out this morning with a mission to secure third place. He hoped of course, to be able to challenge Toshi if the opportunity arose. Behind Niall, the challenge from the Proton driver Karamjit Singh never materialized, though it did appear that Niall might be able to snatch second place for a short while from Toshi.Toshi and Niall played a game of cat and mouse throughout the stages today, the pace they set resulting in a damaged and ripped off sumpguard on SS14 for McShea. This ended Niall's challenge as he had to be careful not to fatally wound the engine as was likely without the underbody protection. 
"Niall has shown great maturity in interpreting the characteristics of this rally and brought his car home in immaculate condition, having not a single puncture on his Pirelli-shod car. He made a massive step forward in applying event strategy and as a result, we expect him to be a front runner of this year's PCWRC" said George Donaldson, STI Group N Project General Manager.Joakim Roman ran trouble-free throughout today's stages, having found a pace where he could enjoy the rally and his driving. The Swede considers this a technically very difficult event and is pleased to have made it to the finish. Next month, the WRC visits New Zealand for one of the most popular and prestigious events on the WRC calendar. Look out for fireworks as six or seven drivers will be looking to knock Toshi off the top step of the podium Down Under. Driver Comments:
Toshi Arai - Car #31"I have really enjoyed the Corona Rally Mexico and consider it one of the toughest tests in the WRC, particularly on the driver. I'll be looking for a win in New Zealand next month as I was the top Group N entry there last year." Niall McShea - Car #34 "I'm very happy with third place as this was my strategy at the start of the event. I have a lot more speed to come and I intend to increase my pace a touch in New Zealand, looking to better my position there." Joakim Roman - Car #37 "I found a pace today where I could enjoy the rally and my driving. I am very happy to get some points on the table here. I feel this is one of the most technically difficult rallies I've ever contested, and I had to stretch myself to be able to survive the rigour of the stages." |
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