World Rally News

2001 Word Rally champion, Richard Burns underwent surgery today in London as he continues his battle against a brain tumour - and according to reports from the doctors treating him the operation was 'very successful'.

Mitsubishi technical director, Mario Fornaris has revealed that the Lancer Evo WRC05 will benefit from new dampers on the Rally Italia Sardinia this weekend, as the team look to continue to get on a level pegging with rivals - Peugeot, Citroen, Subaru and Ford.

The organisers of the Neste Rally Finland have confirmed that the legendary Ouninpohja stage will remain in 2005, however following safety concerns it has been divided into two.

Former works Subaru driver, Toshi Arai, the current leader of the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship [PCWRC], has confirmed that he will contest the 2005 Asia Pacific Rally Championship [APRC] this season, in addition to his commitments in the WRC.

M-Sport, the British-based team which runs Ford's programme in the FIA World Rally Championship, has announced Simon Carrier as their new chief designer.

Reigning world rally champion, Sebastien Loeb has revealed that he has made contact with other teams in the WRC about 2006, following Citroen's decision to pull out at the end of this season - but no decision has yet been made.

The FIA - the governing body for the World Rally Championship has confirmed that the following drivers will occupy the second car manufacturer entries on the Supermag Rally Italia Sardinia [April 29-May 1]...

Peugeot's Markko Martin reckons that he has finally found the key to going fast with the 307 WRC, after struggling to adapt to the car following his move from Ford at the end of last season.

Peugeot boss, Jean-Pierre Nicolas has seemingly taken a pop at Pirelli - blaming their tyres for their inability to take the fight to Citroen and Sebastien Loeb.

Suzuki team manager, Risto Laine has revealed that they have high hopes for New Zealand, following back-to-back class victories in Mexico and Sweden.

In addition to contributing to Peugeot's position at the top of provisional manufacturers' championship, Markko Martin himself figures in second place in the drivers' series, just one point behind the leader; not a bad start at all for the team's new Estonian signing and a favourable pointer to e

Markko Martin has admitted that he has had a fight at Peugeot - but not with the team, rather with the 307 WRC, especially during the opening two rounds of the season in Monte Carlo and Sweden, where despite his lack of confidence in the car, he still managed to notch up fourth and second place f

World Rally annual Rallycourse has been bought by Crash dot Net Ltd, the online publishing house responsible for motorsports website, www.crash.net .

by Rob Wilkins. Ford number one driver, Toni Gardemeister has already enjoyed much success this season, after leaving the struggling Skoda outfit at the end of 2004.

The organisers of the Wales Rally GB have confirmed that Cardiff's Millennium Stadium will set a precedent during this September's event, when its host the first ever indoor special stage in the WRC.

Ford boss, Malcolm Wilson has revealed that he is 'disappointed' with team leader, Toni Gardemeister, after the Finn dropped from fourth to sixth on the final day of the Rally Mexico.

Subaru star, Petter Solberg has dedicated his Rally Mexico triumph to Ryuichiro Kuze - one of the founding members of the team, who died on Wednesday last week, prior to the start of the event.

SS14 - Alfaro-El Establo (44.39 km): Loeb fastest through SS14; Rovanpera second; Gardemeister third; Solberg fourth; Gronholm fifth; Martin sixth; Atkinson stopped in the stage with no oil pressure; Duval retired after the stage; Wilks wins the JWRC category; Solberg takes the overall vic

Subaru's Petter Solberg leads the Rally Mexico at the end of leg one - 20.5 seconds up Marcus Gronholm; Markko Martin completes the provisional podium in the second Peugeot 307 with Francois Duval fourth, and Chris Atkinson fifth. Overall times after SS6 / Leg 1 - Top 20:

While the team should be celebrating the first event for the new 2005 specification Impreza this weekend on Rally Mexico, the Subaru World Rally Team is instead competing under a dark cloud following the death on Wednesday night of Ryuichiro Kuze - one of the founding members of the team.

The Rally of Spain will remain an asphalt event in 2005 and 2006, after the organisers agreed a deal, which will see the event stay in the Catalunya region.

Mitsubishi has announced that they will add an extra 'weapon' to their arsenal in Mexico this weekend, with confirmation that the Lancer WRC05 will run with their 'active differential system' for the first time.

Citroen new boy, Francois Duval has admitted that he is going to have to learn to talk more, in order to 'settle in' at his new team.

Mitsubishi's Gilles Panizzi has hailed the team's latest electronic gizmo - their 'active centre differential system' that they will use for the first time in Mexico this week.