The results of the New Zealand rally
1. Marcus GRONHOLM (FIN) Peugeot 206 WRC 3: 45: 21.2 0.0
2. Richard Burns (GB) Peugeot 206 WRC 3: 46: 29.9 + 1: 08.7
3. Petter Solberg (N) Subaru Impreza WRC2003 3: 47: 31.0 + 2: 09.8
4. Sebastien LOEB (F) Citroen Xsara 3: 49: 36.6 + 4: 15.4
5. Toni GARDEMEISTER (FIN) Skoda Octavia WRC Evo 3 3: 53: 35.0 + 8: 13.8
6. Alister MCRAE (GB) Mitsubishi Lancer WRC 02 3: 54: 35.4 + 9: 14.2
7. Tommi MAKINEN (FIN) Subaru Impreza WRC2003 3: 55: 11.4 + 9: 50.2
8. Didier AURIOL (F) Skoda Octavia WRC Evo 3 3: 55: 29.8 + 10: 08.6
The top ten were completed
9. Francois DUVAL (B) Ford Focus RS WRC 03 3: 56: 32.9 + 11: 11.7
10. Mikko HIRVONEN (FIN) Ford Focus RS WRC 02 3: 59: 03.5 + 13: 42.3
Driver Ranking (4 / 14 Rally)
1. Richard BURNS (GB) 26 pts
2. Marcus GRONHOLM (FIN) 20 pts
3. Sebastien LOEB (F) 17 pts
4. Colin MCRAE (GB) 17 pts
5. Carlos SAINZ (E) 16 pts
6. Markko MARTIN (EE) 13 pts
7. Tommi MAKINEN (FIN) 11 pts
8. Petter SOLBERG (N) 9 pts
9. Francois DUVAL (B) 8 pts
10. Toni GARDEMEISTER (FIN) 7 pts
Manufacturers Ranking (4 / 14 Rally)
1. Peugeot 49 pts
2. Citroen 44 pts
3. Ford 26 pts
4. Subaru 22 pts
5. Skoda 12 pts
6. Hyundai 3 pts
Comment
It was a race that Gronholm could not lose anything. It started with a rain in the first specials which meant that the first timed drivers had no disadvantage. Gronholm attacked from the first moment and took the lead. Even when Tobacco was able to put the car back in the race and despite the shock and pressure from Martin's approach, it drove exceptionally well and made a difference that was not covered. On the third day with conservative fast driving he got his 14 victory and came second in the standings and most importantly gave us 92.5 units from 50 we trusted him.
Of the rest Peugeot o Burns patient and good driving took second place and remained first in the standings while Rovanpera gave up. Good weekend for Peugeot as well as leading manufacturers.
Citroen didn't go well, something happened with the glazing system and they went blind for the first day, McRae broke it (suspension) and Sainz was left behind while only Loeb held the Citroen flag high by conquering it position.
Subaru went with Solberg third and Makinen seventh despite the latter being ill (as was his co-driver).
The new Focus was a pleasant surprise. It seems that the money Ford cut out of the drivers' fat contracts fell into the design and its new car appeared fast and competitive with the rest. In Martin's hands, he did well, though at some point he went out and never stepped forward. But he pressed Gronholm and held the second position relatively easily until abandonment. With small improvements and troubleshooting, Ford could lay the groundwork for 2004 while being held in front of Subaru for 2003.
Also pleasantly surprised was the octave two Skoda.
Next race on 8 May in Argentina, a difficult and unpredictable race, we a few days earlier for suggestions or sooner if something important comes up.
Before I close and give an overview of our betting performance so far:
Rally ____ Budget_We got_Paid
M.Carlo ___________20_______20__________35.0 (or 45 with the Improved Proposal)
Sweden ____________ 30_______11___________0
Turkey ____________ 20_______15___________0
New Zealand _________ 60_______60__________92.5
Total __________ 130_____106________127.5 (or 137.5 with improved sentence)
At the outright level we have bet 60 units (from 140 budget), all that's missing is a Gronholm bet, but the odds have been pretty good so far.
1. Marcus GRONHOLM (FIN) Peugeot 206 WRC 3: 45: 21.2 0.0
2. Richard Burns (GB) Peugeot 206 WRC 3: 46: 29.9 + 1: 08.7
3. Petter Solberg (N) Subaru Impreza WRC2003 3: 47: 31.0 + 2: 09.8
4. Sebastien LOEB (F) Citroen Xsara 3: 49: 36.6 + 4: 15.4
5. Toni GARDEMEISTER (FIN) Skoda Octavia WRC Evo 3 3: 53: 35.0 + 8: 13.8
6. Alister MCRAE (GB) Mitsubishi Lancer WRC 02 3: 54: 35.4 + 9: 14.2
7. Tommi MAKINEN (FIN) Subaru Impreza WRC2003 3: 55: 11.4 + 9: 50.2
8. Didier AURIOL (F) Skoda Octavia WRC Evo 3 3: 55: 29.8 + 10: 08.6
The top ten were completed
9. Francois DUVAL (B) Ford Focus RS WRC 03 3: 56: 32.9 + 11: 11.7
10. Mikko HIRVONEN (FIN) Ford Focus RS WRC 02 3: 59: 03.5 + 13: 42.3
Driver Ranking (4 / 14 Rally)
1. Richard BURNS (GB) 26 pts
2. Marcus GRONHOLM (FIN) 20 pts
3. Sebastien LOEB (F) 17 pts
4. Colin MCRAE (GB) 17 pts
5. Carlos SAINZ (E) 16 pts
6. Markko MARTIN (EE) 13 pts
7. Tommi MAKINEN (FIN) 11 pts
8. Petter SOLBERG (N) 9 pts
9. Francois DUVAL (B) 8 pts
10. Toni GARDEMEISTER (FIN) 7 pts
Manufacturers Ranking (4 / 14 Rally)
1. Peugeot 49 pts
2. Citroen 44 pts
3. Ford 26 pts
4. Subaru 22 pts
5. Skoda 12 pts
6. Hyundai 3 pts
Comment
It was a race that Gronholm could not lose anything. It started with a rain in the first specials which meant that the first timed drivers had no disadvantage. Gronholm attacked from the first moment and took the lead. Even when Tobacco was able to put the car back in the race and despite the shock and pressure from Martin's approach, it drove exceptionally well and made a difference that was not covered. On the third day with conservative fast driving he got his 14 victory and came second in the standings and most importantly gave us 92.5 units from 50 we trusted him.
Of the rest Peugeot o Burns patient and good driving took second place and remained first in the standings while Rovanpera gave up. Good weekend for Peugeot as well as leading manufacturers.
Citroen didn't go well, something happened with the glazing system and they went blind for the first day, McRae broke it (suspension) and Sainz was left behind while only Loeb held the Citroen flag high by conquering it position.
Subaru went with Solberg third and Makinen seventh despite the latter being ill (as was his co-driver).
The new Focus was a pleasant surprise. It seems that the money Ford cut out of the drivers' fat contracts fell into the design and its new car appeared fast and competitive with the rest. In Martin's hands, he did well, though at some point he went out and never stepped forward. But he pressed Gronholm and held the second position relatively easily until abandonment. With small improvements and troubleshooting, Ford could lay the groundwork for 2004 while being held in front of Subaru for 2003.
Also pleasantly surprised was the octave two Skoda.
Next race on 8 May in Argentina, a difficult and unpredictable race, we a few days earlier for suggestions or sooner if something important comes up.
Before I close and give an overview of our betting performance so far:
Rally ____ Budget_We got_Paid
M.Carlo ___________20_______20__________35.0 (or 45 with the Improved Proposal)
Sweden ____________ 30_______11___________0
Turkey ____________ 20_______15___________0
New Zealand _________ 60_______60__________92.5
Total __________ 130_____106________127.5 (or 137.5 with improved sentence)
At the outright level we have bet 60 units (from 140 budget), all that's missing is a Gronholm bet, but the odds have been pretty good so far.
