Catalunya - FinishGilles Schammel (LUX, Citroën) had a broken clutch cable on SS5 and he adopted a two-minute penalty after making repairs. He drove well during leg two but his rally was cut short when his transmission broke on SS16, seeing him eventually finish 12th.
Milos
Komljenovic (SCG, Renault) had a problem with his recce car and as a result, only competed one run through the stages, so his approach to the event was cautious from the outset. Stages nine and 10 saw him experience problems with his rear brakes and he lost the use of his clutch during the afternoon of leg two. But he drove trouble-free on the final day to finish 13th.
Andrea Cortinovis (I, Renault) retired after a spin into a tree on the opening stage of the rally caused too much damage to continue. Raphaël Auquier (B, Citroën) also went off the road on SS1 and the team opted to re-prepare the car for Corsica next week.
2006 Junior Champion Patrik Sandell (S, Renault) made a cautious approach to the event on his first asphalt rally in the wet but he understeered into a wall on SS7, hitting the front left wing and damaging the suspension, steering and roll cage in the process.
Stefano Benoni (I, Citroën) rolled his C2-R2 on SS8 while lying in 11th, and was forced to withdraw following too much damage.
Kalle Pinomäki (FIN, Renault) enjoyed an excellent start in the tricky conditions, running as high as fourth, but he went off the road only 500 metres before the end of SS9, when he slipped down a 10 metre drop beside the road. As with others, extensive damage prevented him from continuing.
Entered by the organisers as a Guest Driver, Spanish driver Yeray Lemes (Citroën) broke his gear stick on SS2 but on leg two, a few impressive stage times promoted him into fifth. Unfortunately a broken piston, losing the 20-year-old 18 minutes in SS12, saw the end of his first WRC rally.
Following his accident in Germany, Kosciuszko started steadily and although he wasn't happy with the set-up during leg one, he struggled more with his mental approach to the rally, lacking in confidence. He held sixth during leg two but disaster struck on SS15 when a hardened set-up caused his tyres to overheat and after 10 kilometres he entered a corner too fast, hit a wall and damaged the front right wheel beyond repair.
Winning Driver quote – P-G Andersson (S), Suzuki Swift S1600
"I had to win or be in front of Aava here but this is just the end of part one – part two is next week. In Corsica I have to stay in front of Aava as well but I've had a really good feeling here."
Second Place Driver quote – Martin Prokop (CZ), Citroën C2 S1600
"This was a good race for us but I'm not happy as I was too slow on Friday – that's where I lost this race. Yesterday and today were much better, we were really fast and I really enjoyed the fight with Urmo."
Third Place Driver quote – Urmo Aava (EE), Suzuki Swift S1600
"We had two choices – to be in front of P-G or behind and unfortunately it was behind here. We lost four points here so I still have to win in Corsica. And today I tried to catch Martin to get a couple more points but he was too fast."
FIA Juniors Rookie award winner – Shaun Gallagher, Citroën C2-R2
"I can't quite believe it! At the start of the year I hoped there was a chance to win the Rookies but to be here now is absolutely brilliant – it sounds unreal! It's good for me and Clive and the whole team as we just weren't sure it was possible."
Source WRC
