Catalunya - Subaru World Rally Team - Finish Today's route was the shortest of the rally, totalling just 85.66 competitive kilometres over four stages. As with the previous two legs, two stages were each run twice, meaning that competitors were faced with gravel and dirt
dragged onto the routes on the second passes.
Sunday started with a slight chill in the air, especially in the mountain stages. Conditions were dry all day, and temperatures ranged from 14 degrees Celsius in the morning to a high of 23 degrees.
The three Subaru World Rally Team cars of Petter Solberg, Chris Atkinson and Xevi Pons all finished inside the top ten after the final leg of Rally Catalunya. The third and final day of the event saw the pace of the Impreza WRC2007s improve, recording better stage times throughout the day.
On a day where none of the top ten positions changed, Petter finished sixth, Chris eighth and Xevi ninth.
With the time differences between the top ten well-cushioned, the three drivers used the day to adjust the setup of their cars in preparation for Corsica just next week. All three feel comfortable with the handling and balance following the changes made and are looking forward to a fresh event.
The WRC makes the short hop to Corsica for the thirteenth round of the championship next weekend, 12-14 October. In back-to-back asphalt weekends, drivers have used Rally Catalunya to prepare as much as possible, but Corsica will bring its own unique challenges. Stretching away from the service park, which is nestled against the sea in the port of Ajaccio, the asphalt stages are rough and bumpy, not at all like the new and smooth surfaces in Spain.
Richard Taylor, Managing Director:
"We've got all three drivers to the end of the rally in the top ten, however the results are not what we wanted or expected before the rally. We have however learnt more about the car on asphalt and expect to be able to show some further improvement in Corsica next week."
Source Subaru World Rally Team
