Subiesport Magazine - August/September 2008 - (Page 68)

RALLY GREECE “IT’S INCREDIBLE, I can’t believe it! It’s what everyone has been waiting for: Phil and I, the team, the fans, everybody. This is it, we’re coming back!” A jubilant Petter Solberg captured the feeling in the SWRT service area after clinching second place on Rally Greece on the Impreza WRC2008’s debut; he even joked with the waiting media about how good it was to see them all again, after so long. Surpassing his and Subaru’s expectations, Solberg and co-driver Phil Mills looked to have left years of mediocrity behind in one fell swoop. But they and the rest of the team will realize that this success is just one small step if they are to be seen as a serious force by Ford and Citroën. For now, though, they could all enjoy the moment — and who would argue against that? For Chris Atkinson, Greece brought mixed results and feelings. The Australian retired from Leg Two because of electrical problems with the starter motor. Disappointing as that was, he rejoined for the final day’s stages and promptly set the fastest time on the first stage of Leg Three, the 12.42-mile Avionas 1, giving the WRC2008 its maiden stage win. Until that victory, the Subaru duo had been consistent in their times over the first two days, improving throughout the event. Solberg proved the faster driver; this included two second-place finishes on the first Superspecial on day one and then on the 20-mile run through SS11, Aghi Theodori 2, on Leg Two. However, Atkinson was the more unfortunate in terms of glitches and fell prey to the rough conditions of Greece. As well as the electrical problem, he suffered suspension damage on Leg One, and 2008 BP Ultimate Acropolis Rally of Greece 7th Round, 30 May - 01 June, 2008. Athens, Greece. Day One 2 5 14 17 14 15 18 Day Three Rally start time Local 19:30 GMT 17:30 36 16 19 Tatoi Tatoi Athens 20 7 Distances Kms Special Stages Leg 1 110.08 Leg 2 119.12 Leg 3 110.74 Total 339.94 Liaison Combined 355.16 353.60 262.62 971.38 465.24 472.72 373.36 1311.32 Day Two Athens 10 13 9 12 8 11 Tatoi HQ Athens 2008 Result - Top Eight 1 S Loeb 2 P Solberg 3 M Hirvonen 4 U Aava 5 D Sordo 7 M Wilson 8 J Latvala 8 H Solberg Citroën Subaru Ford Citroën Citroën Ford Ford Ford Key HQ Start Rally Stage Stage Rally Location HQ Start Finish Route 5 Special Rally Service Overnight Finish Stage Direction Location Stop Location Location on the final day when he spun and struck a rock, he damaged the rear suspension. Although he reached the end of the test (SS15), he couldn’t start the next stage and had to retire from the event. Sébastien Loeb won the rally to retake the championship lead from Mikko Hirvonen, but for many observers the real story came from the recolored (blue and silver!) and revamped (hatchback!) SWRT — not because of any blinkered views but because without a competitive Subaru the WRC had lost much of its drama. For those with partisan views, though, the Acropolis Rally represented the end of a long exile in the WRC wilderness. If the new evolution of the Impreza can fulfill its early promise, then Solberg’s result in Greece could be remembered with as much reverence as those victories that seem a long time ago. —David Hobbs Photos: Subaru World Rally Team 68 SEPTEMBER 2008

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Subiesport Magazine - August/September 2008 Features Contents Editor Letters Readers' Rides New Products Subaru News 2009 Impreza WRX East Meets West Shoebox Sleeper Bettering the Breed ...Even the Kitchen Sink WRC Rally Greace WRC Rally Turkey Rally America: New England Rally America: STPR 2008 STI Open Class GCRallyX R4 Where to Buy Subiesport ICY Racing E85 & Methanol Rebuild Your Heads Budget Building Ad Directory Spotted!

Subiesport Magazine - August/September 2008

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