Stage 1 – Loeb, Sordo and Citroen in the lead… Gronholm out!
After a first stage that was already very eventful, it is Sébastien Loeb who is dominating the discussion. The Frenchman is on track to achieve a great result, just like in Japan three weeks ago, and then Marcus Gronholm was forced to retire earlier in the day due to going off the road. Dani Sordo […]
After a first stage that was already very eventful, it is Sébastien Loeb who is dominating the discussion. The Frenchman is on track to achieve a great result, just like in Japan three weeks ago, and then Marcus Gronholm was forced to retire earlier in the day due to going off the road.
Dani Sordo takes the provisional second position to achieve a double with Citroën, about 11 seconds behind.
The Alsatian will more than ever need to finish his rally above all and not repeat his retirement in Japan as the situation is completely identical.
« What is important right now is to keep the car on the road », he stated. « For now, everything is fine. There is a long day ahead tomorrow, we must manage to stay focused, even if it’s difficult. »
On his side, Sordo is satisfied with this provisional result: « The conditions are very bad, but I’m still happy. The two Citroëns are in front, so it’s perfect. »
Behind the two Citroëns, points are valuable. Currently, it’s Jari-Matti Latvala on the podium after having taken it from Mikko Hirvonen in the other Ford Focus.
« It was a very special day. We started off poorly, then it got better and better… and now I am quite surprised to take third place. »
The first Subaru with Peter Solberg is only 5th while Chris Atkinson has retired due to a mechanical problem.
Another retirement was that of Henning Solberg with Stobart after being involved in an accident. The Finn went off the road in SS6, two stages after Gronholm’s violent exit.
The Finn and his teammate are unharmed despite the car being almost beyond repair. Gronholm and Rautiainen then spent a few hours at the hospital for tests that ultimately showed nothing.
If everything remains as it is, Sébastien Loeb could leave Ireland with a 6-point lead over Gronholm for the last rally of the year.
Rally of Ireland – Stage 1 – Special 10
| Drivers | Teams | Time | Gaps | |
| 1 | Loeb/Elena | Citroen C4 WRC | 1h33’15″9 | 108.1 km/h |
| 2 | Sordo/Marti | Citroen C4 WRC | 1h33’27″1 | + 00’11″2 |
| 3 | Latvala/Anttila | Ford Focus WRC | 1h34’44″3 | + 01’28″4 |
| 4 | Hirvonen/Lehtinen | Ford Focus WRC | 1h35’09″1 | + 01’53″2 |
| 5 | P.Solberg/Mills | Subaru Impreza | 1h35’35″1 | + 02’19″2 |
| 6 | Wilks/Pugh | Subaru Impreza | 1h37’29″5 | + 04’13″6 |
| 7 | Stohl/Minor | Citroen Xsara | 1h37’57″8 | + 04’41″9 |
| 8 | Wilson/Orr | Ford Focus WRC | 1h40’01″3 | + 06’45″4 |
| 9 | Mcnulty/Odonnell | Subaru Impreza | 1h41’11″8 | + 07’55″9 |
| 10 | G.Machale/Harryman | Ford Focus WRC | 1h41’15″7 | + 07’59″8 |
