Drift Monkey Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 I know I'm not the only one keeping up with this! DRIVERS' STANDINGS 1. P. SOLBERG (N) 20 Pts 2. M. MÄRTIN (EE) 19 Pts 3. T. GARDEMEISTER (FIN) 17 Pts 4. S. LOEB (F) 15 Pts 5. M. GRÖNHOLM (FIN) 12 Pts 6. H. ROVANPERÄ (FIN) 11 Pts http://www.wrc.com/javaImages/7/2d/0,,10111~535815,00.jpg Solberg had victory doubts Corona Rally Mexico winner Petter Solberg has admitted that he didn't think he would be able to win the event with the new, 2005-specification Subaru Impreza. The heavily-revised car made its competitive debut on the event, but Solberg was unsure about its ultimate pace after having limited time to test it before the rally. Solberg won the first stage of Mexico on the Friday morning, however, and went on to dominate the rally from the Peugeot's of double world champion Marcus Gronholm and Markko Martin. The new car features modified aerodynamics and heavily revised suspension - including a wider track under new regulations for 2005. Work has also been carried out on lighter bodywork and a more powerful engine, with another engine evolution promised for next month's Propecia Rally New Zealand. Solberg says that, following his victories in Mexico and in Sweden - with the 2004-spec car - he's now feeling a lot more confident about his title chances. "I never thought it would be possible to win this rally," Solberg said. "I never got the proper feeling during the shakedown, but I had a very good set-up after that. For the next few rallies, I have a good feeling. Obviously in New Zealand, the first day will be tricky as I'll be first on the road now I'm leading the championship, but I think it will be a very interesting championship this season. The points are very close and everyone is scoring. This will be on of the greatest years for a long, long time." Subaru team boss David Lapworth, however, says he was always more confident about Solberg's chances of victory in Mexico with the new car. "Petter had done some testing in the new car, but he'd never done a back-to-back comparison with the old one," Lapworth said. "I was confident coming here, but Petter had to get that feeling. I think we were halfway there at shakedown and the rest came during the rally. I was much more relaxed than Petter was. I could see the objective data from the car and I knew that once he saw that and the times, then he'd relax and get better. Now he can go to New Zealand knowing what he's got." http://www.wrc.com/page/BreakingNewsDetail/0,,10111~639463,00.html Looks like the new WRC2005 car is kicking some ass! Nice hi-res pics there! DM's current work wallpaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PGT Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Damn.....I had my TiVo set to record this and it missed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racerdave Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Yep, very cool. I hope he keeps it up. He's got one of the best personalities in all of racing: "bleeps" when he messed up a stage, and has an absolute blast when he wins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drift Monkey Posted March 15, 2005 Author Share Posted March 15, 2005 Yes, agreed! I love watching his reactions, he's definately got some spunk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Great competitor - love to watch his reactions as he goes through the varying emotions both on and off the course. Probably one of the most approachable guys in motorsports today. Very fan-engaged. SBT - Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatV8 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Yes, agreed! I love watching his reactions, he's definately A spunk! OH MY GOD, DM JUST CALLED PETTER A SPUNK!! http://www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/gayrepost.gif http://www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/whistling.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatV8 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Seriously... Was an awesome race and Petter did very well. Keep it up and he will have the driver title again after this season... Young Aussie Chris Atkinson did very well too until he lost power steering after hitting a rock. Nicky Grist or whatever his name was said he showed why Subaru signed him and has shown he can match pace with the big guns... quote: "A star of the future" GO AUSSIE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drift Monkey Posted March 15, 2005 Author Share Posted March 15, 2005 OH MY GOD, DM JUST CALLED PETTER A SPUNK!! http://www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/gayrepost.gif http://www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/whistling.gif http://www.illfindsomethingtoputhere.com/funforum/images/smilies/kekekegay.gifhttp://www.illfindsomethingtoputhere.com/funforum/images/smilies/gayroll.gifhttp://www.illfindsomethingtoputhere.com/funforum/images/smilies/gayflag.gifhttp://www.illfindsomethingtoputhere.com/funforum/images/smilies/samclub.gifhttp://www.illfindsomethingtoputhere.com/funforum/images/smilies/gayfight2.gif http://www.illfindsomethingtoputhere.com/funforum/images/smilies/gheyghey.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drift Monkey Posted March 15, 2005 Author Share Posted March 15, 2005 Seriously... Was an awesome race and Petter did very well. Keep it up and he will have the driver title again after this season... Young Aussie Chris Atkinson did very well too until he lost power steering after hitting a rock. Nicky Grist or whatever his name was said he showed why Subaru signed him and has shown he can match pace with the big guns... quote: "A star of the future" GO AUSSIE! You should have met up at my place and caravaned down to Leon. I was actually thinking of going.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatV8 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Next year possibly... If $ and everything permit certainly... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtguy Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Loeb, however, was astounding. His performance on the last few stages, coming back from 18th, shows that he is a force to be reckoned with. His in-car was scary at times, the level of commitment he showed, as well as the tidiness and pace. Solberg was brilliant, but he can thank Loeb's hitting that rock for the victory, as well. The WRC Impreza upgrade to be water splash immune wasn't really tested in Mexico, but it will be soon. The thing will be, can Solberg avoid the stupid crash. He killed his chances at the drivers' championship last year with boneheaded moments. But it's looking like a great year, particularly with Martin getting to grips with the Peugeot. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatV8 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 I wouldn't say Loeb hitting the rock gave him the victory. If Loeb hadnt hit the rock, the whole race would of been completely different. Petter would of pushed harder etc etc. Way to many varibles in the event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limeydriver Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 We will need to see how the 2005 WRC car deals with the tarmac only events. That has always been the weakness. Loeb and the Citroen are incredibly quick on tarmac. Sardinia will be the first test. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBY Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 DM's current work wallpaper. Mine now to, Cheers! ---> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBE555 Posted March 25, 2005 Share Posted March 25, 2005 Keep it up Petter. Anyone heard word on Burns? I know he's taking this year off as well due to his medical treatment and just wondering if anyone's heard of this progress? I hope Subaru can pick him back up when he gets better. He is one heck of a driver unless Petter's two partners can really pick up the pace over Hirvonen from last season and prove to be up there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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