World Rally News

Since its recent one-two finish in Catalunya, Peugeot has been busy preparing for Rally Argentina, the fifth round of this year's fourteen-round calendar and an event that poses a contrasting challenge to the asphalt of Lloret de Mar.

In its bid to strengthen its position in the 2001 FIA World Rally Championship, Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart has signed two additional drivers to compete in three forthcoming WRC events.

For the second time this season, Skoda Motorsport is ready to venture into the unknown.

The Korean corporation of British American Tobacco, British American Tobacco Korea (BAT Korea), will become an official sponsor of Hyundai Castrol World Rally Team.

For their return to rallying, MG has developed the MG ZR EX258 in line with the new Super 1600 category rules. Rally experts GSE Motorsport are responsible for the vehicle development and management, with the car to be driven by Gwyndaf Evans - the 1996 British Rally Champion.

The Subaru World Rally Team completed a gruelling 2500km test in the Lake Baringo area of Kenya this week in preparation for July's Safari Rally and the forthcoming three rough-gravel events.

Skoda Motorsport has just completed an exhaustive five-day test in Kenya in preparation for July's Safari Rally.

Citro?n's 300bhp Xsara T4 World Rally Car stormed onto the international rallying stage this weekend by dominating the competition during the fourth round of the 2001 World Rally Championship in Catalunya, Spain.

Maximum points for Peugeot on the tarmac of Catalunya have given a welcome kick-start to the defending champions' 2001 campaign.

Armin Schwarz has retired from Rallye Catalunya on the first stage of the second leg after his Skoda experienced steering problems.

Colin McRae has retired from Rally Catalunya after his Ford engine refused to start at the beginning of SS6, Vallfogona.

Tommi Makinen powered his Lancer Evolution to victory today in the closing kilometres of a thrilling Portugal Rally. In doing so, the Finn notched up his 22nd win in 100 World Championship rallies, and Mitsubishi reached a landmark of 25 victories with the Lancer Evolution/Carisma GT.

Francois Delecour and Daniel Grataloup have moved up to fifth in their Focus RS, despite suffering continuing problems with a misted windscreen and the appalling conditions in the Rallye de Portugal.

Colin McRae has retired from Rally Portugal after stopping on SS8 with a terminal engine problem. The Scotsman had been lying in seventh place 2mins 28.6secs off leader Makinen heading into the 18.44km Amarante stage.

The Hyundai Castrol World Rally Team has launched the second generation of the Hyundai world rally car, the Accent WRC?. The launch took place at Grahams' distillery on the southern side of the port wine city of Oporto, preceding the TAP-Rallye de Portugal, on which it will make its debut.

Mitsubishi Ralliart Europe has strengthened its engineering department with the appointment of Ed Wood as Technical Head. Wood, who will report to chief engineer Bernard Lindauer, joins the team from Ferrari Formula One where he was a senior special projects engineer.

Skoda Motorsport's Armin Schwarz has earned himself a reputation as one of the bravest drivers currently competing in the FIA World Rally Championship - and nowhere is the fearless German's nerve better proven than on the famous Fafe jump in Portugal.

Four-times World Rally champion, Tommi Makinen, answered questions on his illustrious career as he prepares to make his 100th WRC start in Portugal. Q: Does it feel like you've been around long enough to have competed in 100 World Championship rallies?

Despite having officially withdrawn from the World Rally Championship at the end of last season, SEAT have announced works support for two teams - one of which will enter four rounds of this years championship.

Ford have announced that one of Portugal's most successful rally drivers, Rui Madeira, will be contesting the Rally of Portugal [16-18 March] at the wheel of a Focus WRC.

Speaking at the service area after SS14 Tommi Makinen confessed his surprise at the speed of Rovanpera, who has extended his lead to 17.2secs over the Mitsubishi driver.

With just the 21.21km Hagfors stage remaining, Carlos Sainz and Thomas Radstrom are engaged in a thrilling battle for what should be the final podium place.

Thomas Radstrom has powered into second position after the group of two stages totalling 49 competitive kilometres. The Mitsubishi Carisma GT driver is now just 7.7 seconds adrift of the new leader of the Swedish Rally, Peugeot's Harri Rovanpera.

Stage times and overall standings after SS3. Top ten stage times for SS3