555 Subaru W R T

555 Subaru World Rally Team - Test Bulletin Date of Issue: 11 April 2003 Period of Test: 8-10 April 2003 Location: Two stages near Chateau Lastours, France Surface: Gravel Purpose: General development test Weather: 6-14C, overcast and windy with some drizzle on day one Driver: Paolo Andreucci 555 Subaru World Rally Team test driver, Paolo Andreucci, took the wheel of an Impreza WRC2003 test car for three days this week when he undertook a development test in the Chateau Lastours area of France. The Italian, winner of the 2001 Italian Rally Championship, notched up 430 kilometres of loose surface testing. On day one the team used a fast stage with a rough bedrock base and a challenging uphill section. Carrying on the work of previous development tests this year, Andreucci worked on evaluating modifications to the 2003 specification engine and suspension systems, as well as revised data logging software. The team moved to a different 4.2 kilometre road for the second day, which featured a rougher, more abrasive surface and several uphill hairpin corners. The majority of the day was spent on further engine development work with the remainder concentrating on the brake and suspension set-ups for rough gravel. For the final day, the team moved back to the stage used on day one, where heavy overnight rain had made conditions very slippery. Making good use of the difficult terrain, the team concentrated on testing drivetrain and braking components as well as modifications to the engine cooling system. The rally team is currently in New Zealand where team regulars Tommi Mkinen and Petter Solberg are battling it out on round four of the FIA World Rally Championship. At the end of leg one, Petter lies in third place, just 5.5 seconds from Ford's Markko Mrtin in second, and Tommi is in overnight seventh. Leg two begins tomorrow at 0800hrs (NZ local time).