WRC: Citroen and Loeb continue record smashing spree
from Automotive (1598 articles)
Click image to enlarge
Image Gallery ( 15 images )July 17, 2005 Sebastien Loeb and Citroen broke a number of rallying's world records with a dominant performance in the Argentinean round of the World Rally Championship at the weekend (15-17 July 2005) giving them the record for the most consecutive wins in a season (six) and, adding their win in the Monte Carlo season-opener, the most wins in one season … with seven more rounds to come. Loeb, who just a short few years ago was dismissed as a tarmac-only expert, has set the records on six out of seven gravel events so we can expect more wins and more records as the season unfolds.
As with the six previous events Loeb took control of the event on day one and never relinquished the lead. But that does not mean it was a walk in the park for Loeb has he headed towards the record books in front of the 1.5 million spectators who turned out to watch the event.
"It wasn't easy," said Seb between autographs at the finish. "You only have to look at the gaps to see that. I can tell you, I pushed very hard right up to two stages from home. That forced me into a couple of mistakes, notably my spin in yesterday's loop to the south. Once again though, I was able to count on the Xsara's impeccable reliability and the team didn't put a foot wrong again. Also, the 'eight' compound Michelin BTO tyre lived every bit up to our expectations. This may be our seventh win of the year, but it only strengthens our resolve to win more. We want to do even better."
Nor was Loeb alone in the Citroën celebrations with no less than four Citroën Xsaras in the top ten finishers. Loeb's team mate, François Duval finished 7th overall to earn two valuable, extra Manufacturers' points for the team. The performances of Manfred Stohl and Xavi Pons who finished as the best placed privateers with their Team Kronos Racing Xsaras, both inside the top-ten in 8th and 10th places were further reasons for a big fiesta in the Citroën camp tonight.
With world records 24 hours away, Guy Fréquelin and Sébastien Loeb were very reserved on Saturday evening. With such classics as Giulio Césare and El Cóndor to come on the final day, Seb's overnight cushion of 30 seconds by no means guaranteed success and the following morning's weather report provided further reason to be cautious: the temperature at 2,200 metres the highest altitude visited by the rally was well below zero, while snow lined these two legendary, rocky stages. The frozen conditions prompted Seb to opt for the softest compound '8 minus' version of the BTO, while François chose the slightly harder '8' compound.
The classic El Cóndor test was always going to be a highlight of the 2005 Rally Argentina and, if he proved able to stem Marcus Grönholm's bid on this one, it would put Seb all but clear of a last-minute charge from the Finn. And Seb played the situation perfectly by posting his ninth fastest time of the weekend. After that, the Citroën driver was able to control from in front over the last two 'true' stages and the two runs at the Complejo Pro Racing super special were more like laps of honour for the Frenchman. Rally Argentina is obviously not indifferent to Guy Fréquelin following his win here in the eighties.
"This is a result I want to savour," said the Citroën Sport Team Director. "I can't get enough of this, but this result has a special taste. Not only because it was a difficult rally and establishes a new record, but also because we got four Citroëns inside the top-ten and because all this happened in a country that loves its rallying as much as we do."
Marcus Gronholm, Marlboro Peugeot team, second: "This has been a good rally for us and second place is always a satisfactory result, but I think that I should have been closer to Sebastien Loeb. The car was very good over the fast and wide stages, but not so good over the slow and bumpy sections, where we still have a lot of work to do. Our tyre choice was exactly right for most of the time, and I think we did the best job that we could under the circumstances."
Jean-Pierre Nicolas, Marlboro Peugeot team: "As expected there were no big surprises at the end of the rally, with the gaps too big for our drivers to expect to make up places. Marcus drove an excellent rally, with no mechanical problems, and set six fastest stage times which were incredibly encouraging for the whole team. Markko Martin was quick in the fast sections, but lost confidence in his car whenever the route became narrower and twistier. He decided just to bring the car home, but he could have fought with Harri Rovanpera and Toni Gardemeister for fourth place. We now lose one point to Citroen, who are currently six points ahead of us. The next rally, in Finland, is a whole new ball game, and it should suit our drivers very well."
Gallery Images
Share this article
