Peugeot loves Finland!

Peugeot loves Finland!From Chris Biewer [ 05/08/2003 ].
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Remember the amazing performance by Peugeot a year ago? It was mindblowing stuff for the team when in Rally Finland 2002 it looked for a long time as if Peugeot could secure their 2nd podium lock out of the season. The first non-Peugeot was nearly 3 minutes off the pace and Peugeot would rarely allow anybody else to score a fastest stage time. So hot was the pace, Marcus averaged at 121.8km/h in the Finnish forests. But there was still a fight. It was Richard Burns, rather than the team’s two Finns, who was the leader for the first half of the rally. Only when Richard went over a jump too fast and damaged an intercooler pipe on the rather hard landing, Marcus Grönholm could take the lead and keep it to the end.

While Richard Burns still could finish 2nd, Harri Rovanperä looked like completing the Peugeot 1-2-3. But then came an unlucky misjudgement when Harri collected a nasty front right puncture. He took the gamble to complete the stage with the puncture rather than stop and change. The result of this was extensive suspension damage caused by flaling rubber and Harri had to retire.

This was far from the first time the Rally Finland had been Peugeot’s Rally. They must have the most amazing memories of this event as many Peugeot models looked good here. Already over 50 years ago Finnish driver Eino Elo got works support and won this rally in his Peugeot 203 in 1952. In 1955 he repeated that success, this time at the wheel of a Peugeot 403.

In the group B days Peugeot seemingly could not be beaten on this rally. The legendary Peugeot 205 T16 competed 3 times here: Finland 1984 marked the first of many victories for this car, then with Ari Vatanen. In 1985, when Timo Salonen won this event, both Peugeot and Timo celebrated a very early WRChampionship win! And in 1986, when again Timo Salonen won, Peugeot again won the makes title here in Finland, although Juha Kankkunen had to wait to confirm his personal title.

This Finland hatrick of the 205 has meanwhile been backed up by another Finland hatrick of the 206, with Marcus Grönholm winning the rally non-stop between 2000 and 2002. They were convincing victories, but the competition has become tougher by now. Citroen is present with a full program and especially the Ford has gained speed, while Peugeot has to wait for their new car until next year.

Still, confidence is high and Marcus Grönholm hopes for his 4th win in a row on this event, while as well Richard Burns believes he has a chance of beating his team mates on their home soil. He declares having a confidence boost thanks to his performance here last year. Also Harri Rovanperä believes this event might be his best chance yet for this year to shine. Other drivers worth a note: Marcus Grönholm’s protégé Juuso Pykälistö will be driving a Peugeot 206 WRC Evo3, as Cedric Robert has done at Rallye Deutschland – the pair of them trying to impress team management for a possible drive in the 3rd works car next year. But as well watch out for Ari Vatanen, who follows the Finnish tradition of Timo Salonen and Markku Alen to celebrate a come back at (slightly over) 50 years of age at this rally.

Quotes of the drivers before the event:

Marcus Grönholm: "You really want to do well. For a long time, I personally started this event under a great deal of pressure. I am now less prone to that, no doubt following my first win in 2000. I really would have liked to have come away from Germany with more points in order to get closer to Richard in the championship. But Rally Finland could be a great opportunity to get another win. I feel confident but I'm expecting a big fight, especially with my own team-mates, Harri and Richard, as well as with Markko Märtin who is very strong at the moment."

Harri Rovanperä: "Competing in Finland is something special. For the past three years, I have always started well before hitting problems. This time, I have sworn I won't put myself under too much pressure. I haven't even opened a newspaper recently. I'm quite simply going to do my best and we'll see what happens."

Richard Burns: "Finland is one of my favourite events. I would love to finish at least as well as last year, and why not one place better? I hope the conditions won't be too dry. I will be first on the road and, as is invariably the case on gravel, that could be a handicap on Day 1. Apart from that, our team has all it takes to succeed. And I intend to do everything I can to make the most of that!"