— After three rough gravel rallies hosted around the Mediterranean, the FIA World Rally Championship now takes the Mitsubishi Motors Motor Sports team to Argentina for the only round to be hosted on the South American continent. Rally Argentina (July 15-18), the eighth round of the series, will see Gilles and Hervé Panizzi joined by Finland's Kristian Sohlberg and Kaj Lindström and the team will be looking to build on the progress made during the recent Rally of Turkey.
Gilles and Hervé Panizzi have, surprisingly, previously only contested Rally Argentina once but their lack of knowledge of the stages in the Punilla, Calamuchita and Traslasierra valleys is unlikely to deter the French duo as they continue to develop the Lancer WRC04.
"In Turkey we found some things which make the car more balanced and easier to drive; I hope it also works on the difficult gravel surface in Argentina," said Gilles. "Personally, I don't know the rally in Argentina too well as I don't have much experience on this terrain. But after Turkey I would say points should be possible."
Despite competing around the globe in Group N machinery, Kristian Sohlberg has only completed the recce in Argentina (2003), purely for experience, although co-driver Kaj Lindström has greater experience having co-driven Mitsubishi's former World Champion Tommi Makinen on two occasions.
"Having only done the recce I think it's hard to expect too much, but even so my objective is to get points for Mitsubishi," commented Kristian. "The rally is quite fast but some parts are pretty rough, and also the altitude adds another dimension."
Rally Argentina is based in the tourist resort of Villa Carlos Paz, near the bustling industrial city of Córdoba, 700 kilometers northwest of Buenos Aires, and the rock-strewn stages that run across plains and barren mountain ranges are some of the highest in the World Championship, posing a tough test for engines and electronics.
For daily updates on Rally Argentina from the shakedown on July 15 to the final leg on July 18 see:
Daily reports: www.mitsubishi-motors.com/motorsports/e/04wrc/ra/index.html
Race photos: www.mitsubishi-motors.com/motorsports/e/04wrc/ra/photo.html
Mitsubishi Drivers Target 22nd Victory in Argentina
— Rally Argentina: 2004 FIA Production Car World Rally Championship Round 4—
Tokyo, July 13, 2004 — Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution drivers head to Rally Argentina seeking a 22nd South American victory and their fourth in as many rounds of the 2004 FIA Production Car World Rally Championship.
Mitsubishi's Production Car series leader Dani Solà has made a strong start to the season and having come second in class in Argentina last year, he is eagerly looking forward to getting behind the wheel of his Lancer Evolution once more.
"This is a difficult rally, because the stages can be so different and the surface changes. Also, many of the stages will be new to me, but I have a good feeling with the car and I think we can get a good result," said Solà.
For Italian Lancer Evolution driver Gigi Galli, Argentina will be an entirely fresh challenge but one he relishes, especially after a points-scoring result for Mitsubishi in the Rally of Turkey at the end of June. "I think this is one of the special rallies in the World Championship, so it is good for me to get experience. But we also need points, so I have to make sure I finish. It will be tough," Galli commented.
For Mexican Ricardo Triviño, Argentina represents more familiar territory and another chance to impress in his Lancer Evolution against ultra-tough opposition. "It is a long way from México, but it is a bit like being at home to drive here," he said. "The fans are amazing and it is an incredible rally because of their reaction on all the stages."
The 24th Rally Argentina returns to a more traditional route that takes the contenders over three very distinct legs, remote re-fueling zones in La Cumbre, Santa Rosa de Calamuchita and Copina allowing the route to spread over a wider geographic area. The event kicks off on Thursday July 15 with two runs over the now famous super special stage at the Pro-Racing complex on the outskirts of Villa Carlos Paz. The 2004 Rally Argentina includes 26 stages and 382.63 competitive kilometers in a total distance of 1,347.27 kilometers.
For daily updates on Rally Argentina from the shakedown on July 15 to the final leg on July 18 see:
Daily reports: www.mitsubishi-motors.com/motorsports/e/04wrc/ra/index.html
Race photos: www.mitsubishi-motors.com/motorsports/e/04wrc/ra/photo.html
