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CITROËN STRENGTHENS ITS GRIP ON THE WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

Citroen strengthened its grip on the 2004 World Rally Championship at the weekend (16-19 September 2004) with the reigning manufacturers’ title holder extending its lead in the 2004 title chase thanks to second and fourth places in the UK round of the championship for Sébastien Loeb, now with 28 point lead in the drivers’ championship, and Carlos Sainz in the Citroën Xsara WRC.

The battle between Loeb and Solberg dominated the event, with Loeb leading from the start to the penultimate stage, where he finally succumbed to the pressure from a relentless challenge by Subaru’s Petter Solberg. The ice-cool Frenchman decided that it was better to maintain his championship position than risk an event ending ‘off’ challenging Solberg, who was on a do-die mission to snatch victory from Loeb in the dieing seconds of the event. Loeb’s performance during the rally proved that he was not prepared to take easy with his substantial lead in the drivers’ championship.

"Petter was very fast towards the end,” said Loeb at the finish. “I made little mistakes, but not all that many, and I did not want to put the championship at risk."

Loeb’s team mate, Carlos Sainz, who is now the world’s most successful rally driver of all time, following his win in Argentina earlier this year, played a strong supporting role, ensuring that Citroën collected more manufacturers’ points than any other team and was able to extend its lead.

Petter Solberg would have to win the next three rounds and Loeb score no points for the Subaru driver to overhaul the Citroën driver. So, with the next three rounds on tarmac – Sardinia on 1-3 October, Corsica on 15 -17 October and Spain on 29-31 October – which is Citroën’s forte, there is every chance that Loeb and Citroën will arrive in Australia for Rally Australia on 12-14 November as the newly crowned World Champions.

The Rally in Figures

Event Leaders

Francois Duval, Ford Focus, SS 1; Sébastien Loeb, Citroën Xsara, SS 2 to 17; Petter Solberg, Subaru Impreza, SS 18 to 19.

Fastest Stage Times

Drivers:

Petter Solberg, Subaru Impreza, 8; Sébastien Loeb, Citroën Xsara, 5; Francois Duval, Ford Focus, 4; Marcus Gronholm, Peugeot 307, 1; Markko Martin, Ford Focus, 1.

Constructors:

Subaru, 8; Citroën, 5; Ford, 5; Peugeot, 1.

Tyre manufacturers:

Michelin, 11; Pirelli, 8.

Final Classification

1P.Solberg-Mills Subaru Impreza3h42'39"500 106.9 km/h

2Loeb-Elena Citroen Xsara3h42'45"800 + 00'06"30

3Martin-Park Ford Focus 3h45'33"200 + 02'53"70

4Sainz-Marti Citroen Xsara3h46'21"600 + 03'42"10

5Duval-Prevot Ford Focus3h47'20"800 + 04'41"30

6Rovanpera-Pieti Peugeot 307 3h49'24"400 + 06'44"90

7Hirvonen-Lehtin Subaru Imprexa3h49'47"800 + 07'08"30

8Stohl-Minor Peugeot 2063h52'59"600 + 10'20"10

9Vouilloz-Giraud Peugeot 206 3h57'51"800 + 15'12"30

10Warmbold-PriceFord Focus 3h58'28"800 + 15'49"30

World Rally Championship

Driver Victories

Sébastien Loeb5

Petter Solberg4

Markko Martin1

Carlos Sainz1

Marcus Gronholm1

Manufacturer Victories

Citroën6

Subaru4

Ford1

Peugeot1

Podiums per Drivers

Sébastien Loeb9

Markko Martin7

Petter Solberg6

Marcus Gronholm4

Carlos Sainz5

François Duval4

Harri Rovanpera1

Podiums per Manufacturer

Citroën14

Ford11

Subaru6

Peugeot5

Drivers’ Championship Points

1. S. Loeb (F)92; 2. P. Solberg (N)64; 3.M. Martin (EE)59; 4.C. Sainz (SP)55; 5.M. Gronholm (FIN)47; 6. F. Duval (B)43; 7.M. Hirvonen (FIN)23; 8. H. Rovanpera (FIN)20;

9. J. Tuohino (FIN) 16; 10.F. Loix (B)7; 11. D. Carlsson (SW) 6; 12.G. Panizzi (F)6;

13. C. Robert (F) 4; 14. M. Stohl (A)4; 15. H. Solberg (N)3;

Manufacturers’ Championship Points

1. Citroën, 150; 2.Ford, 112; 3.Subaru, 91; 4. Peugeot, 76; 5. Mitsubishi, 17;

(ends)

For further information:

Citroën Australia Media Web Site:

Miles Williams

/ Tel: (02) 9701 8020
General Manager / Fax: (02) 9701 3555
Citroën Australia / Mob: 0419 800 520
E-Mail:

Edward Rowe

/ Tel: (02) 9701 8015
Public Relations Manager / Fax: (02) 9701 3555
Citroën Australia / Mob: 0407 913 244
E-Mail:

Web site:

Citroen Australia

Street Address: Heritage Building, Campus Business Park, 350 Parramatta Road, Homebush NSW 2140 Australia.

Postal Address: Ateco Automotive Pty Ltd,Locked Bag 260, Silverwater, NSW 1811, Australia

Telephone: 02 9701 8000; Direct Telephone 02 9701 8015 Fax: 02 9701 3555. Mobile +61 0407 913 244

A.B.N. 34 000 486 706

EJR/ejr/007

9/20/2004