WRC - Argentina: domination then disappointment for Solberg; Hirvonen: personal best!

Mikko Hirvonen's Subaru Impreza WRC2004, running on Pirelli tyres, has finished the Rally Argentina in fourth place: his best-ever overall result. The young Finn also took his first-ever fastest stage time with Pirelli and Subaru. Mikko used Pirelli's P Zero KP4 tyres for all five stages of the final leg. His World Champion team mate Petter Solberg was forced to retire from the rally with recurring engine problems on the opening day, having led the rally for four stages and set four fastest times. Since the Rally New Zealand in April, Petter has led every single event - proving the excellent all-round capabilities of Pirelli's P Zero tyre range. Prior to Argentina, Petter had taken five wins and seven podium places from the last 11 rallies. Conditions in Argentina were once again cold during day three - particularly on the two final and most famous stages of the rally: Giulio Cesare and El Condor. The weather remained dry, with temperatures of around five degrees centigrade. After Petter's problems on the opening day, the rally was won by the Citroen of Carlos Sainz. Pirelli dominated Group N: local man Gabriel Pozzo took the class win ahead of Daniel Sola - who was first of the registered championship runners. Pirelli's sporting director Paul Hembery commented: "Congratulations to Mikko on his best-ever result, achieved with the help of our tyres. It's been a difficult rally and very unfortunate that Petter was one of the victims. Before his mechanical problems, he was clearly able to demonstrate the winning pace of the P Zero tyre range - as he has done all year." Mikko Hirvonen said: "I've learnt a lot on this rally, both about the car and the tyres. Although it was only the second time I've been to Argentina, I had a very good feeling with the whole package - which has given me my best-ever result. I'd like to thank everybody at Subaru and Pirelli: now I look forward to my home rally in Finland!" RALLY ARGENTINA - Final Classification 1 Sainz-Marti Citroen Xsara WRC 3h14m20.3 2 Loeb-Elena Citroen Xsara WRC +1m32.5 3 Duval-Prevot Ford Focus WRC +4m23.5 4 Hirvonen-Lehtinen Subaru Impreza WRC +8m27.7 5 Rovanpera-Pietilainen Peugeot 307 WRC +9m59.9 6 Perez-Companc-Volta Peugeot 206 WRC +16m24.7 7 Panizzi-Panizzi Mitsubishi Lancer WRC +17m39.0 8 Pozzo-Stillo SubaruImpreza Gp.N +20m38.6 9 Warmbold-Price Ford Focus WRC02 +22m17.4 10 Sola-Amigo Mitsubishi Lancer Gp.N +22m21.4 Next rally: Rally Finland, 6-8 August FIA Drivers Championship: 1.Loeb 61; 2 Solberg 44; 3 Martin & Sainz 34; 5 Gronholm 32; 6 Duval 29; 7 Hirvonen 18; 8 Rovanpera 14; 9 Tuohino 12; 10 Carlsson & Panizzi 6; 12 Loix 4 FIA Manufacturers Championship: 1 Citroen 98; 2 Ford 71; 3 Subaru 64; 4 Peugeot 51; 5 Mitsubishi 14