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THIRD CONSECUTIVE VICTORY OF LOEB IN ARGENTINA Rally Argentina 2007 – Overall Classification Niall McShea 6th in Production
Live Times Rally Launch Rally Argentina is “a issue of State” A Tale of Two Cities: Córdoba and Buenos Aires Four days “flat out”
THIRD CONSECUTIVE VICTORY OF LOEB IN ARGENTINA Sébastien Loeb was the winner of the 27th edition of Rally Argentina, the sixth round of the FIA World Rally Championship, and he equalized Tommi Makinen’s record after obtaining three consecutive victories in this competition. The French driver was the fastest in the Super Special 22 Cordoba Stadium II and he could obtain a conclusive victory with 36s.7/10 of advantage over Markus Grönholm, who could not do anything to cause inconveniences to the driver of the Citroën Total WRT. The third position was for Mikko Hirvonen, who reached his fourth podium in this season consolidating himself in the third place of the Championship. This race had a big surprise when Jari Matti Latvala ended up in the fourth place on his first competition in Argentina driving his WRC. Rally Argentina 2007 – Overall Classification: 1) Loeb / Elena (Citroën C4) 2h.52m.03s.8/10 2) Grönholm / Rautiainen (Ford Focus) a 36s.7 3) Hirvonen / Lehtinen (Ford Focus) a 2m.15s.2 4) Latvala / Anttila (Ford Focus) a 3m.43s.0 5) H. Solberg / Menkerud (Ford Focus) a 4m.10s.1 Niall McShea 6th in Production 2004 World Champion Niall McShea from Fermanagh was back behind the wheel this weekend as well, finishing in sixth place in the Production Championship round. Co-driver Omagh’s Gordon Noble, who is Assistant Clerk of the Course on Rally Ireland said: “We’ve had a great run in Argentina, despite not having a lot of experience in this car. It’s a fabulous country and the fans are very enthusiastic – just like home!” McShea will drive the Subaru Impreza S12 for Lukoil Rally Team – TaCK for the remainder of the season.
Bad weather and transportation problems forced the cancellation of Friday’s stages of the event, but competitors more than made up for it over the two days rallying on some of the highest stages in the WRC, climbing to over 2,100 metres in the mountains of Cordoba.
Rally Ireland’s Deputy Clerk of the Course Fred Gallagher was also on hand this weekend in advance of the Championship’s inaugural Irish round in November this year. Live Times and Rally Info! Rally Launch The Automóvil Club Argentino (ACA) officially launched the XXVII edition of Rally Argentina to be run next 3 - 6 May and valid for the World Rally Championship organised by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). The press conference was held in the “TierrAlta Ecopueblo” complex near Villa Carlos Paz, and it was headed by the Governor of the Province of Córdoba, Dr. José Manuel De La Sota; the Clerk of the Course, Alfredo Menéndez, and the General Co-ordinator of Rally Argentina, David Eli. Next to them were the Head of Cordoba Sports Office, Horacio Manzur; the Head of Cordoba Turist Office, Carlos Alessandri and the Mayor of the City of Villa Carlos Paz, Carlos Felpeto. Several drivers were also present at the head table: Tango Rally Team members Gabriel Pozzo and Marcos Ligato, together with WRC Munchi´s Ford WRT, Juan Pablo Raies. Rally Argentina is “a issue of State” Governor De la Sota highlighted the relevant of this international event and assured that ” Rally Argentina is the most important sport event in our province and it should always be considered as a governmental policy as it is our image to the world”. Then added that “no matter who the head of state is, the rally is guaranteed and rooted in Cordoba for many years to come”. Mayor Felpeto also highlighted the effort made by the Organisers and the Municipality of Villa Carlos Paz to build the brand new Service Area on the banks of San Roque Lake, that will welcome the competing cards. A Tale of Two Cities: Córdoba and Buenos Aires Arquitect David Eli thanked the support given by the provincial authorities and the people of Cordoba and also gave some details on the logistics plan to transport the 77 competing cars from Villa Carlos Paz to Buenos Aires. “It is a very hard task but we want to show to everyone in Buenos Aires what we do here every year. This is a year of investments and we will see the results of all this work in the next editions”, added. The General Co-ordinator announced that the organisers have planned a series of activities in the Service Area for the members of the teams that are not travelling to Buenos Aires on May 3. Four days “flat out” Rally Argentina 2007 starts next Thursday May 3 at River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires and continues on Friday in Córdoba, along Punilla Valley. The First leg is completed with the Super Special Stage in Cordoba Stadium, while on Sunday Leg 2 will take drivers back to Punilla and then to Santa Rosa de Calamuchita. Lastly, on Sunday May 6 the cars will run along the Traslasierra roads and finish the race on a total speed show at Cordoba Stadium. Rally Argentina 2007 is the sixth round of the Championship for Drivers and Manufacturers and also the third round of the World calendar for Production Cars. |
