Gronholm to return to WRC in Portugal

[Scaff]

Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes.

Two-time World Rally Champion Marcus Gronholm will make a sensational return to the championship after entering Rally Portugal with a Subaru.

The Finnish driver retired from competition at the end of the 2007 season, but will return to action on 5 April to take part in the Portuguese event.

Gronholm will drive a Subaru Impreza WRC 2008 rally car run by Prodrive.

The former champion said, however, his return is just a one-off, but admitted he will consider his options after the rally.

"Prodrive approached and offered me a chance to compete in WRC Portugal with Subaru Impreza WRC 2008 rally car. After having a test in Norway I decided to take the challenge," said Gronholm.

"When one and a half years ago I made a decision to retire from WRC I didn't say I'd never come back.

"However, WRC Portugal is just a single event and nothing more. After the rally I have to analyze my feelings and to see what happens next."

Gronholm will have Timo Rautiainen as his co-driver for the event.

Source - http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73403

I so hope he comes back for the rest of the year, but if not one more rally is good enough (for now).



Scaff

 

[theewar]

I so hope he comes back for the rest of the year, but if not one more rally is good enough (for now).

+1:tup:

 

[Milliethemutt]

It's got to be good news. With all the cutting back of teams and sponsors this is a good turn up for fans

 

[Jay]

Great to see 👍

 

[mafia_boy]

YAY!! *starts the chant* MARCUS, MARCUS, MARCUS!!

It would be good to see God I mean Gronholm sticking it to Loeb one more time. If it wasn't for piss poor Ford reliability, Gronholm would've had atleast one of Seb's past 5 titles, let alone the P.O.S. that was the Peugeot 307 WRC.

 

[Mr.Grandorifto]

I'm very happy to hear that,. Hope he well have the same CO-DRIVER Timo Rautiainen.. You know... the guy that got the stone up the K hole. So a Subaru, but is it gonna be the official Prodrive Team Car, or will it just be a one time thing. Anyway I guess we'll find out in April!

 

[Jay]

I'm very happy to hear that,. Hope he well have the same CO-DRIVER Timo Rautiainen.. You know... the guy that got the stone up the K hole.

It was in the Scaff's post up the top

Gronholm will have Timo Rautiainen as his co-driver for the event.

 

[AutoAki]

Wow... nice to see Marcus has fans outside of Finland too! 👍

It's so great he will test if that Subaru could still have some potential. I heard those Subaru rumours way before Subaru said they will leave. Marcus tested their vehicles secretly, and was very competitive... maybe thats why Richards want to do this. He maybe was pissed off about Subarus decision, and wants to show to them.

Youre really betting right horse, when you think Marcus is great dude... He really is. You cant find more 'down to earth' person than He is, and what a great sense of humour he has. Nothing is more fun, than see when Seb and Marcus are interviewed together. They are best racing-persons ever.

Sad that Marcus needed to wait so long before brakethrough... there was so many great Finns in 90's, so Marcus had very hard to find team. Finnish drivers never has good sponsors, so they need to be awesome+little bit more, if they want to get a job.

I hope Marcus wont hurt himself... He aint that guy who takes easily, if car is not competitive. He goes out of limits in that case. Mäkinen almost killed himself when he tried to be competitive with that lowsy Mitsu Evo in early years of 2000.

 

[Timppaq]

Go Busse! 👍

 

[Jay]

Youre really betting right horse, when you think Marcus is great dude... He really is. You cant find more 'down to earth' person than He is, and what a great sense of humour he has. Nothing is more fun, than see when Seb and Marcus are interviewed together. They are best racing-persons ever.

Agreed

Marcus is such a character, him and Seb is my Fav rally drivers of all time really.

 

[Gabkicks]

I stopped watching WRC shortly after Gronholm retired. I'll try and remember to watch the Portugal stages!

 

[mafia_boy]

Just to let you all know, Marcus unfortunately retired on Day 2 due to a roll-over on SS7. But up until that point he still proved he has what it takes to stick it to Seb and the boys, he was in 2nd just behind Mikko Hirvonen. 👍

I hope he comes back for more rallies, preferably at Finland.

 

[Coxis]

Marcus Gronholm is awesome. He speaks in a rather funny way... Loved to see when they interviewed him back at the end of the WRC stages. Good to hear that.