Gigi Galli: the Saviour of Stobart in Argentina!

Gigi Galli’s seventh place at the Rally Argentina allows the Italian to retain the fifth position in the drivers’ championship and his team Stobart VK M-Sport to remain in third place in the manufacturers’ standings despite a very modest result this weekend. The rally was not as successful for the Italian’s teammates; Henning Solberg and Matthew Wilson.

Galli nevertheless needed the Superally on Sunday after retiring during the second day to save the British team’s points. His teammates, on the other hand, had permanently retired on the first and third days…

« Last night, I didn’t think I would be able to finish the rally in seventh position. But it shows once again that a rally isn’t over until the podium is crossed », explains Gigi Galli. « We weren’t lucky; our mechanics did a great job repairing the car. I have to thank them all. »

During the first day, things went well even though the conditions were the most difficult of my career. We made good times and even a scratch. This is a good sign for Jordan because I had only a few kilometers on the odometer on dirt with this car.

The other driver chosen to score points in the constructors’ standings for Stobart, Henning Solberg, retired three times… in three days… On the first day, he stopped with a broken suspension. The Norwegian did not participate in Saturday afternoon’s stages to preserve his car for the Jordan Rally, the next event of the season. He restarted on Sunday and stopped again in the first stage with a broken suspension.

“It wasn’t my best event but you have to know how to accept it,” admits the Norwegian. “We started quite cautiously on Friday in the fog. I found a good feeling afterwards and the times were good. The conditions were difficult, I wasn’t lucky hitting a rock that tore off the suspension. It was the most challenging event of my career, but I hope it will help us in the future. Now, I’m focusing on the Jordan Rally, which is a new event for everyone.”

Matthew Wilson was sixth at the halfway point. But in SS15 (day 2), the Briton broke his steering, preventing him from continuing his race. He was able to restart on Sunday morning before breaking his suspension again during the first stage (SS19).

« It was the most difficult rally of my career. I learned a lot. The ending is disappointing because we started well on Friday and the mechanics did a great job allowing us to continue on Saturday afternoon. Sunday was the toughest day. The rain was incredible. We couldn’t see 20 meters ahead because of the fog. It would have been good to finish the rally, but we posted good times during the first two days and gained valuable experience in the toughest conditions we might encounter in a rally. » Concluded Wilson.

According to a statement from the WRC