Alfa Romeo is giving...
Alfa Romeo is giving its cars the personal touch! The stylish Italian brand is offering owners the chance to customise their new motors. With its Unique Alfa scheme, buyers can choose from three finishes to give their purchase a bespoke look.
Mikko Hirvonen bagged...
Mikko Hirvonen bagged the second championship win of his career when he came home nine seconds clear of team-mate Marcus Gronholm, with local hero Henning Solberg third in his privately entered Focus.
Adding to the blue oval’s delight in sub-zero Scandinavia, reigning world champion Sebastien Loeb failed to score after stuffing his Citroen into a snow bank.
“When Sebastien went off, the pressure was lifted and the guys controlled it to the finish,” said a delighted Ford team boss Malcolm Wilson. “We’re not underestimating the task ahead – we’ve seen how Sebastien goes. We really have to capitalise on this type of event as well as the gravel rallies ahead, as we know Citroen will be at its strongest on the asphalt rounds.”
The results from the third round of the WRC have transformed
both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ championships.
In the drivers’ title chase, Gronholm has now taken the lead, with team-mate Hirvonen second. Loeb has dropped to third after failing to score points for the first time in the last 15 rallies he has contested.
Ford has also taken a commanding lead in the manufacturers’ championship. Maximum points in Norway have seen the Cumbrian-based team establish a 16-point lead over arch-rival Citroen. Past champion Subaru is languishing in fourth place.