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Rallye Catalunya: End of Leg 1

21 April 1999

A spectacular day today with the two Formula 2 Citroen Xsara Kit cars leading the Rallye Catalunya outright. Puras won 4 of the days 7 stages (SS1 was cancelled due to excess spectators) and finished 7 seconds ahead of team mate Bugalski who were followed neatly by the 2 Corollas of Auriol & Sainz and then the 2 Mitsubishis of Makinen and Loix.

Regular World Championship teams were frustrated by the pace of the Citroens and Peugots which are built for European tarmac events, not the World Championship like the WRC cars. The F2 cars develop the same power as the WRC cars but are considerably lighter and are therefore faster, particularly on dry bitumen.

Other than the Citroens, Toyotas had no major problems. Mitusbishi - Makinen had some tyre/suspension problems early on but was able to fix these; 'Fast Freddy' Loix was still feeling some pain from his accident in the Safari but is still on the pace.

Colin McRae finished in 33rd and had 1min 20 sec of penalties after engine problems. He stalled at the start of SS4 and lost over 4 minutes during SS5. Jean-Joseph was 12th.

Subarus had a quiet day - Burns was unhappy with his car; Thiry made some incorrect tyre choices and Kankkunen finished in 11th.

The Seats of Liatti and Rovanpera had handling problems and dropped to 15th and 19th.

Other impressive drives were the Skoda of Armin Schwarz - it is great to see the Skoda doing well after its problems earlier this year. Also, Adruzilo Lopes in the Peugot 306 Maxi desipte having brake problem for most of the day was 9th outright.

Tyres and grip were perhaps the biggest common problem today. Tyre temperature was up to 130 deg C which caused excess tyre wear and some braking problems. Also, the WR cars are throwing up a lot of dirt on the road as they pass which is making it difficult for the Formula 2 cars such as the Citroens and Peugots to set competitive times. Tomorrow, when the Citroens start at the front of the field they may have an even greater advantage.

In Group N, two of the favourites, Finnish driver Puhakka (Mitsubishi) and Austrian driver Stohl (Mitsubishi) retired with mechanical problems. Trelles now leads comfortably.

Unofficial results at the end of Leg 1:

1 Puras Citroen Xsara 1:27:19,4
2 Bugalski Citroen Xsara 1:27:26,4
3 Auriol Toyota Corolla 1:27:29,7
4 Sainz Toyota Corolla 1:27:36.8
5 Makinen Mit Lancer Evo VI 1:27:53,7
6 Loix Mit Carimsa 1:28:15,5
7 Burns Subaru Impreza 1:28:29,7
8 Schwarz Skoda Octavia 1:28:46,2
9 Lopes Peugot 3O6 Maxi 1:28:50,4
10 Thiry Subaru Impreza 1:29:04,7


Group N:

1 Trellles Mit Lancer Evo V 1:32:40,9
2 Al Wahaibi Mit Lancer 1:33:43,1
2 Manfrinato Mit Lancer 1:34:31,8


Formula 2:

1 Puras Citroen Xsara 1:27:19,4
2 Bugalski Citroen Xsara 1:27:26,4
9 Lopes Peugot 3O6 Maxi 1:28:50,4

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Stage Winners:

  Puras: 2,3,5,8
  Auriol: 6,7
  Makinen: 4

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