Pirelli Positive Despite Spanish Frustration
1993 World Champion Didier Auriol drove his Peugeot to victory at the Catalunya Rally. Disappointing finish result for Pirelli, with just one point scored by Carlos Sainz who drove his Ford to their 4th points finish out the 4 World Champ. events run sofar.
Pirelli leaves Spain in a positive frame of mind despite suffering a particularly frustrating Catalunya Rally. The 6th place Ford-Pirelli driver Carlos Sainz is not an accurate reflection of the performance of the PZero asphalt tyre range. Pirelli's technicians return to Italy confident that, by the time the series returns to asphalt for the San Remo and Corsica rallies in October, it can prove this point to the world.
Unexpectedly high temperatures on the opening day of the event, coupled with several technical problems encountered by Pirelli's sporting partners at Ford and Subaru, left the Pirelli crews running later on the road than anticipated and forced greater compromises with tread patterns and compounds than had been hoped. Despite this the data obtained showed that the latest RP and RS tyres have made significant improvements over previous versions. Also, on the rare occasion when a tyre was damaged, Pirelli's EMI anti-deflation system worked perfectly to lessen the effect of the 'injury'.
Although Pirelli's overall position in the event was not as high as expected before the rally, its Group N Mitsubishi drivers again dominated the production category and were never headed throughout the event. Gustavo Trelles and Marcos Ligato both led before Gabriel Pozzo claimed the victory.
FINAL STANDINGS (18 SSs totally): 1. Auriol (Peugeot), 3.40m54.7; 2. Panizzi (Peugeot) +23.2; 3. Makinen (Mitsubishi), +1m01.4; 4. Bugalski (Citroen) +1m25.7; 5. Loix (Mitsubishi) +2m16.7; 6. Sainz (Ford-Pirelli) +2m35.7; 7. Delecour (Ford-Pirelli) +2m43.7; 9. Burns (Subaru-Pirelli) +3m02.8; . . .
NOTE: Bugalski (4th) appealed against a penalty received during Leg3. If his appeal is recognized, he will climb to the 3rd position. The FIA will officialize the result Monday the 26th.
WORLD CHAMP. STANDINGS (after 4 events)
Drivers: 1. Makinen pt.24; 2. Sainz 17; 3. Rovanpera and Auriol 10; 5. Delecour 8; 6. Radstrom and Panizzi 6; 8. Gardemeister 5; 9. Gronholm 4; 10. Burns, Bugalski and Schwarz 3
Manufacturers: 1 Mitsubishi pt.39; 2. Ford-Pirelli 21; 3. Peugeot 20; 4. Hyundai 8; 5. Subaru-Pirelli 7; 5. Skoda 6; 6.Citroen 3
NEXT EVENT: Argentina (gravel), 3-6 May