Motor Sports Round-Up: Finnish drivers secure Ford WRC manufacturers' title

Enduro riders take seventh world title

Juha Salminen

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Ford team boss Malcolm Wilson's dream of nine years became a reality on Sunday, when Ford's 1-2 finish in the New Zealand Rally secured the team the World Rally Championship manufacturers' title.
      The team victory brought some consolation to the race winner Marcus Grönholm of Finland, whose crashing out in the Australian race three weeks ago ensured that the French Citroën pilot Sebastien Loeb would win his third consecutive World Rally Championship title.
      "The manufacturers' title is the culmination of our efforts to develop a world-class team. It brings me immense personal satisfaction", chuckled Wilson, a former world-class driver himself. Wilson has led the Ford team since 1997. Ford's previous manufacturers' title dates back all the way to 1979.
     
The roads in the New Zealand rally resemble those of the Finnish race, save the jumps. Team Ford's Finnish pilots Marcus Grönholm and Mikko Hirvonen gave little chance to the rest of the field. In the end Grönholm beat his teammate by 56 seconds.
      Third-placed Manfred Stohl (Peugeot) of Austria, came in 2:39.3 behind Grönholm. The fourth spot was secured by Xavier Pons (Citroën) of Spain, nearly three minutes behind the winner. Grönholm clocked the fastest time on 13 of the 17 special stages.
     
The World Rally season culminates in the Wales Rally in early December. The drivers' title has already been secured by Loeb. Before his mountain bike accident and a subsequent shoulder injury, the Frenchman managed to put together 112 points, enough to keep him beyond the reach of Grönholm, whose current standing is 101 points.
      "A couple of silly mistakes and some technical problems cost me my third drivers' title. I was given another unexpected chance when Sebastien got himself injured, but I blew it by crashing out in Australia. Loeb has earned his championship", Grönholm admitted.
      With his 24 WRC wins, Grönholm holds the shared fourth position in the all-time table with his countryman Tommi Mäkinen. The list is topped by Loeb (28), followed by Carlos Sainz (26) of Spain and Colin McRae (25) of Great Britain.
     
The tour de force performance
by Finnish motor sports representatives in New Zealand continued in Lake Taupo, where Finland secured its seventh Enduro World Trophy Team Championship.
      In the six-day event, Finland beat France, who came in second, by over 15 minutes. The third place went to Spain.
      Finland's previous championship wins are from 1996, 1998-99, and 2002-04.
      "The title shows that Finland continues to dominate the sport. This was a terrific effort from the entire team and a strong affirmation to the rest of the enduro world", rejoiced Juha Salminen, the Finnish enduro legend, who once again earned all the top individual honours.
      In the Finnish team Salminen was accompanied by Petri Pohjamo, Samuli Aro, Mika Ahola, Jari Mattila, and Marko Tarkkala.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Hirvonen celebrates his first-ever WRC victory chained to pillory (30.10.2006)
  Sports Round-Up: Grönholm wins, Hirvonen second in Turkish rally (16.10.2006)

Links:
  World Rally Championship
  Enduro (Wikipedia)
  Enduro World Trophy Team Championship

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