A team effort from the Citroën Juniors
The Citroën Junior Team once again showed the potential of its C4 WRCs and its three crews with some strong performances on the Rally Poland, round eight of the FIA World Rally Championship. This impressive form gives the team plenty of confidence for the rest of the season.Nearly 90 competitive kilometres made up the last day of the Rally Poland. The three Citroën Junior Team C4 WRCs were once again amongst the frontrunners, with a fastest time for Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia in Milki (SS14) at an average speed of more than 116 kph. Starting off at a rapid pace, which was even quicker than that of their team mates at the halfway split, Evgeny Novikov and Dale Moscatt unfortunately lost a few seconds in the final kilometres of the stage with a puncture.
Having driven a consistent rally, Conrad Rautenbach and Daniel Barritt continued to make progress on Sunday. « The gaps both in front and behind us are large » said the Zimbabwean. « I am building up confidence with the Citroën C4 WRC on these very quick roads. It is really valuable to gain more experience with the car under these conditions. »
After setting off for the second loop of stages, Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia had to stop 2.5 kilometres into Milki (SS16). « We lost power and decided to stop in order not to damage the engine further » reported the Frenchman. « I am very disappointed that our rally has ended this way, but I think we have shown our capabilities well over the last three days. Our learning curve continues and we are building up more and more experience with each rally. I believe we can draw a positive conclusion from this event. »
Evgeny Novikov and Conrad Rautenbach slowed down to allow the Citroën Total World Rally Team to score two extra points and consolidate its first place in the overall manufacturer standings.
Olivier Quesnel, the team principal of Citroën Racing, confirmed : « We asked Evgeny Novikov and Conrad Rautenbach to let Sébastien Loeb past so that the Citroën Total World Rally Team could score points that may well become vital by the end of the season. »
Benoit Nogier, the Citroën Junior Team manager, concluded: « Sébastien Ogier managed to get past both the Solberg brothers before a turbo problem prevented him from finishing the rally and going for the third place that he deserved. Nonetheless, it was an excellent performance from him and a good confirmation of his pace in Greece. Evgeny enjoyed himself throughout the weekend and underlined his talent once more. His speed was clear to see. Conrad drove a fault-free event and would have been close to scoring points had it not been for the problems with the factory team. »
Back To News
News
MSA British Rally Championship
17/08/2014
05/09/2010
Doran ahead as British championship goes to Blyton
04/09/2010
Stobart crews confident in Rally Japan plan
03/09/2010
Ford in search of victory hat-trick in Land of the Rising Sun
03/09/2010
The Citroën Junior Team aims to conquer Sapporo
03/09/2010
First 2010 title clincher for Loeb and Elena
03/09/2010