Shaun Gallagher [Citroen C2 S1600]: [Junior WRC - runner-up]
"I’m very pleased with our result – it goes to show that consistency pays! We were able to manage our rally and the way in which we drove the car very well. The C2 Super 1600 proved itself to be very competitive and resisted the heat very well, just as we had to. The last leg was not at all easy. On the longest stage we had no grip at all and the important thing was to keep up the right rhythm in order to complete the 135 competitive kilometres of the day. This second place is the result of some excellent work from our team, and we sincerely hope to repeat it on the events that are still to come."
Conrad Rautenbach [PH Sport-Citroen C4 WRC]:
"I was looking forward to the long stages today - I'm a bit more used to them after rallying in Africa. We had some problems this morning, though. The car was pulling quite badly to one side, which obviously affected the handling. We had a spin in the first stage and then two spins in the third. I felt I was fighting the car all of the time. The team worked on the car and put some new dampers on for the stages this afternoon. The car felt better, but it was still bouncing around a bit at the back end
"It's been good to get back in the car today. As I said before the start, I want to spend as much time as possible in the Citroen driving it. Getting those two long stages in was really important. It's helped me ahead of the next three rallies, which are run under similar conditions. I now know more about how the car will handle hot and rough roads, which is really important for me ahead of Sardinia, Greece and Turkey."
Notable retirements:
Per-Gunnar Andersson [Suzuki WRT]: [retired from day 1 in SS1 - went off the road and was unable to rejoin - re-started on day 2 under SupeRally]
