WRC: Podium for Pirelli, Subaru and Solberg in Turkey

Petter Solberg's Pirelli-equipped Subaru Impreza WRC2004 has finished the Rally of Turkey in third overall behind the Citroen of Sebastien Loeb and the Peugeot of Marcus Gronholm, despite losing more than 30 seconds on the second day with a technical problem following a watersplash. Solberg set six fastest stage times over one of the toughest rallies in recent memory, characterised by extremely high temperatures but also by mud in the opening stages. Petter's young team mate Mikko Hirvonen ended the rally in sixth place - the first time he has finished the Rally of Turkey - after a mature and consistent drive throughout the three days. Conditions in Turkey were nearly always hot, rough and aggressive - but with large patches of mud on the opening day due to heavy rain before the rally start. Pirelli's KP tyre showed itself to be well-suited to these types of slippery conditions. As the stages dried out Petter and Mikko moved onto the robust XR tyre - ideal for hard surfaces of rough gravel in normal hot conditions. Solberg and Hirvonen chose the XR tyres once more for the final four stages, with the hardest possible compound (step 3). This proved to be an excellent base tyre throughout the rally, with hand- cutting available to maximise grip. Pirelli's rally manager Fiorenzo Brivio commented: "The key to this most difficult rally was finding the right rhythm after the unusual conditions of wet mud on the first day. Petter maintained his podium position thanks to the high durability of the P Zero XR tyres, which made a big difference on the hardest stages." Petter Solberg said: "I've been very impressed by the strength and reliability of my car and its Pirelli tyres on one of the toughest rallies I have ever contested." The Junior World Championship winner in Turkey, running on Pirelli tyres, was Suzuki Ignis driver P-G Andersson. Nicolas Bernardi continues to lead the series in his Renault Clio. RALLY OF TURKEY - Final classification 1 Loeb-Elena Citroen Xsara WRC 3h50m09.3 2 Gronholm-Rautiainen Peugeot 307 WRC +15.9 3 Solberg-Mills Subaru Impreza WRC +50.4 4 Sainz-Marti Citroen Xsara WRC +2m15.9 5 Duval-Prevot Ford Focus WRC +4m14.8 6 Hirvonen-Lehtinen Subaru Impreza WRC +5m01.4 7 Tuohino-Aho Ford Focus WRC +8m42.2 8 Warmbold-Price Ford Focus WRC +15m31.6 9 Yazici-Okan Ford Focus WRC +16m25.9 10 Galli-d'Amore Mitsubishi Lancer WRC +11m23.6 Next rally: Rally of Argentina, 16-18 July FIA Drivers Championship: 1.Loeb 43; 2 Solberg 38; 3 Martin 34; 4 Gronholm 24; 5 Sainz 19 FIA Manufacturers Championship: 1 Citroen 65; 2 Ford 60; 3 Subaru 50; 4 Peugeot 39; 5 Mitsubishi 9