- by Remi Blondet
Peugeot podiums in EnZee
14 April 2003: Marcus Gronholm and Richard Burns finished first and second on the Rally of New Zealand, boosting Peugeot to the top of the manufacturers’ championship.
Burns also increased his lead of the driver’s championship, while Marcus moved up to second in the series, six points behind his team mate.
The reigning World Champion took the lead on the opening special stage of the rally and was never headed for the remainder of the event. He set fastest time on 10 out of a total of 22 special stages, and ended up with a winning margin of more than one minute over his team mate.
The action consisted of six stages, including four run consecutively at the end of the rally. Conditions were mainly dry, in contrast to the intermittent rain showers over the first two days that made the roads very slippery.
The fifth round of the World Rally Championship takes place in Argentina, from May 9-11. The Rally of Argentina, based in Villa Carlos Paz, is another classic gravel event and the Peugeot drivers will all be aiming to capitalise on their success here in New Zealand.
©2003 irishcar.com