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STAGE WINNER
SS1 Selonnet - Breziers 1 CANCELLED
SS2 Piegut - Urtis 1 M GRÖNHOLM / T RAUTIAINEN
SS3 Selonnet - Breziers 2 M MÄRTIN / M PARK
SS4 Piegut - Urtis 2 S LOEB / D ELENA
A good start for Peugeot and Gronholm
Marcus Gronholm showed everyone his intentions for the 2004 World Rally Championship when he finished first in the first timed stage of the Monte Carlo Rally, almost 10 seconds ahead of his nearest opponent.
The Finn is driving the new Peugeot 307 WRC and so far the results look promising since Marcus was almost half a second faster per kilometre than anyone else. "I like the car but the stage was very difficult," admitted the former World Champion, who mastered the damp and slightly snowy road conditions.
The battle behind the Peugeot driver is fierce. Markko Martin is second at the wheel of his Focus WRC, followed by Sebastien Loeb (Citroën Xsara WRC), Francois Duval (Ford Focus WRC) and reigning World Champion Petter Solberg (Subaru Impreza WRC), who lost some time after making a contact and stalling his car. The Norwegian was able to continue, even if he had some problems re- starting his Impreza.
One of the most impressive result of the stage belongs to Roman Kresta, who finished in sixth place in this stage. The young Czech is driving a Hyundai Accent WRC for the first time in a rally but managed a very competitive time despite the fact that he doesn't know the car very well. We could also mention that the Accent WRC was never as competitive as the leading WRC cars, adding more credit to Kresta's performance.
Carlos Sainz takes seventh place at the wheel of his Xsara WRC, just in front of Gigi Galli (Mitsubishi Lancer WRC), Freddy Loix (Peugeot 307 WRC) and Nicolas Vouilloz (Peugeot 206 WRC).
Freddy Loix (Peugeot 307 WRC) rounds up the top 10 while Gilles Panizzi is only eleventh for his first stage result behind the wheel of the new Mitsubishi Lancer WRC.
SS1 Selonnet - Breziers 1 CANCELLED
SS2 Piegut - Urtis 1 M GRÖNHOLM / T RAUTIAINEN
SS3 Selonnet - Breziers 2 M MÄRTIN / M PARK
SS4 Piegut - Urtis 2 S LOEB / D ELENA
A good start for Peugeot and Gronholm
Marcus Gronholm showed everyone his intentions for the 2004 World Rally Championship when he finished first in the first timed stage of the Monte Carlo Rally, almost 10 seconds ahead of his nearest opponent.
The Finn is driving the new Peugeot 307 WRC and so far the results look promising since Marcus was almost half a second faster per kilometre than anyone else. "I like the car but the stage was very difficult," admitted the former World Champion, who mastered the damp and slightly snowy road conditions.
The battle behind the Peugeot driver is fierce. Markko Martin is second at the wheel of his Focus WRC, followed by Sebastien Loeb (Citroën Xsara WRC), Francois Duval (Ford Focus WRC) and reigning World Champion Petter Solberg (Subaru Impreza WRC), who lost some time after making a contact and stalling his car. The Norwegian was able to continue, even if he had some problems re- starting his Impreza.
One of the most impressive result of the stage belongs to Roman Kresta, who finished in sixth place in this stage. The young Czech is driving a Hyundai Accent WRC for the first time in a rally but managed a very competitive time despite the fact that he doesn't know the car very well. We could also mention that the Accent WRC was never as competitive as the leading WRC cars, adding more credit to Kresta's performance.
Carlos Sainz takes seventh place at the wheel of his Xsara WRC, just in front of Gigi Galli (Mitsubishi Lancer WRC), Freddy Loix (Peugeot 307 WRC) and Nicolas Vouilloz (Peugeot 206 WRC).
Freddy Loix (Peugeot 307 WRC) rounds up the top 10 while Gilles Panizzi is only eleventh for his first stage result behind the wheel of the new Mitsubishi Lancer WRC.
