 |
|
|
|
|
2003 FIA Junior World Rally Championship
Round 1 -Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo (23-26 January)
Saturday 25 January 2003
SUZUKI TEAMS FIGHT ON IN MONTE CARLO
 |
| V.P. Teuronen in
action on SS 8 |
The three remaining Suzuki Ignis teams know that the finish ramp of the prestigious Monte
Carlo Rally is less than 24 hours away ?if they can survive the final day of gruelling action.
Today's action was unexpectedly curtailed after only one stage was run. The opening test was
cancelled due to badly parked spectator cars, and although stage eight was run, the remaining
stages of the day were not competitively run because of a lorry blocking the motorway.
Daniel Carlsson, who led the event in spectacular style yesterday, could not take the start this
morning as he had arrived late in Parc Ferme the previous night. This was due to a delay on the
road section, after he was stopped by the police for speeding.
Weather conditions were bright and sunny for the second day of the Monte Carlo Rally, with
patches of ice in the morning.
Monaco is all about the survival of the fittest and if today's performance is anything to judge
by, then the young Suzuki Ignis drivers can count themselves amongst the elite.
Our teams in action
 |
Teuronen enjoyed a good run to return to Monte
Carlo in 5th
He said: "Everything was fine, and it was nice to have a clean
stage without any incidents. But I'm quite disappointed that we
did not have the chance to drive on more stages. I need the experience
and the time in the car." |
Suzuki Ignis Number 69, Salvador Canellas (E)/Xavier Amigo
(E)
 |
Canellas was 10th overnight
He commented: "I enjoyed the one stage, but everyone had
to be careful the ice on some of the corners. Like all of
the drivers, I would have liked to have driven more stages
today!" |
Suzuki Ignis Number 71, Urmo Aava (EE)/Kuldar Sikk (EE)
 |
Aava grew in confidence throughout the day
to end it in 7th
He said: "This is my first experience of a proper dry asphalt
stage so it was an interesting experience. I learnt a lot
from it, but I also realise there is a lot more to learn.
I need to build up confidence in the fast corners." |
Team manager Risto Laine was delighted with the performance of
the cars today, but explained that there was still a long way
to go before the finish.
"You can never assume anything in rallying!" he said. "Today has
been the sort of crazy day that happens sometimes. But I'm very
happy with the performance of all the drivers on the stage they
completed. The cars are looking in good shape, and we look forward
to welcoming them back to the finish tomorrow afternoon!"
Before then, the drivers have to cover another 104 competitive
kilometres, including two runs over the legendary Col de Turini.
Known as one of the most difficult stages of the rally, the Col
de Turini covers 32 kilometres and contains 401 corners, 34 of
which are hairpins!
Turini is also one of the highest points of the rally, so the
drivers can once again expect unpredictable weather. After completing
the final four stages, the first car is scheduled to reach the
finish ramp in Monaco at 1500.
Today in the JWRC
Brice Tirabassi finished today in the lead by nearly three minutes,
following the retirement of Suzuki's Daniel Carlsson. Kosti Katajamaki
is second, but Marcos Ligato has passed Alessandro Broccoli for
the final podium place. With only one stage run today, the order
has not changed significantly
Suzuki versus rivals
SS7 Les 4 chemins Sigale 1 (32.11km)
Cancelled due to spectator overcrowding
SS8 Saint Antonin Tourette du Chateau (25.15km)
Fastest JWRC: Ligato (Fiat Punto) :19m52s5
Teuronen (5th fastest):20m27s6
Canellas (7th fastest):20m40s2
Aava (12th fastest):21m20s5
SS9 Les 4 chemins Sigale 2 (32.11km)
Notional time of 29m34.5s given to all JWRC competitors due to
blockage on motorway.
SS10 Saint Antonin Tourette du Chateau (25.15km)
Cancelled due to blockage on motorway.
Result
1 Tirabassi (Renault Clio) 3h20m50.5s
2 Katajamaki (VW Polo) 3h23m17.5s
3 Ligato (Fiat Punto) 3h25m02.8s
4 Broccoli (Opel Corca) 3h25m44.5s
5 Teuronen (Suzuki Ignis) 3h28m09s2
6 Wilks (Ford Puma) 3h27m55.4s
7 Aava (Suzuki Ignis) 3h28m49s3
8 Sebalj (Renault Clio) 3h29m18s3
10 Canellas (Suzuki Ignis) 3h30m05s6
|
|
|
|
|
