---

RALLY: Tour De Corse: End of Leg 1

9 May 1999

Today belonged to the Citroens and the Peugeots - Philippe Bugalski took 4 stage wins and leads the rally at the end of the first leg. Team mate Jesus Puras is in 3rd. A bemused Carlos Sainz said "The speed of the Citroens is incredible, but theres still a long way" The speed of the 2 wheel drives was helped by dry roads and clear skies.

The Peugeots have made a spectacular debut - 2nd and 5th for Delecour and Panizzi. There were some early problems with the gearbox but this has now been fixed

McRae: "Its been a pleasing day for us really," said former world champion McRae. "The gap between ourselves and the leader is not that large and were still well in contention at the top of the leaderboard. Ive been happy with the way the Ford Focus has run today and I think a few alterations to the suspension and transmission settings will make it even better."

The water cooling on Makinen's car failed losing him time. "Our Lancer is running very well now and tomorrow should be better. We are quite a long way behind, but this is a long rally and anything can happen", Makinen said. Loix is at Corsica for his first time and is learning..

The Seats were unable to find the correct settings during testing and this was reflected in their stage times - Liatti finished in 11th and Rovanpera in 17th.

Only leading retirement was Jean-Joseph in the Ford Focus who retired with transmission related problems.

Unofficial results at the end of Leg 1:

1 Bugalski Citroen Xsara 1:13:41,7
2 Delecour Peugeot 206 WRC 1:13:53,0
3 Puras Citroen Xsara 1:13:54,0
4 Sainz Toyota Corolla 1:14:02,8
5 Panizzi Peugeot 206 WRC 1:14:13,2
6 McRae Ford Focus 1:14:20,9
7 Auriol Toyota Corolla 1:14:34,0
8 Burns Subaru Impreza 1:14:39,5
9 Makinen Mit Lancer Evo VI 1:14:32,5
10 Thiry Subaru Impreza 1:15:07,4


Group N:

1 Stohl Mit Carisma GT 1.20.12,7
1 Trellles Mit Lancer Evo V 1.20.31,7
2 Al Wahaibi Mit Lancer 1.20.36.5



Formula 2:

1 Bugalski Citroen Xsara 1:13:41,7
2 Puras Citroen Xsara 1:13:54,0
3 Rousselot    Renault Megane 1:16:09,9

-----------------------------------------------------------

Stage Winners:

SS1 - McRae, SS2 - Bugalski, SS3 - Bugalski, 
SS4 - Bugalski, SS5 - Bugalski, SS6 - Puras

Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.