Route
The shortest of the three at 56km, the final leg of Rally Ireland took competitors along four stages in County Fermanagh, from the town of Enniskillen to Mullaghmore. The final stage of the day was run atop the cliffs of Donegal Bay.
Photo: SWRT
Weather
The day started with light rain in the service park that soon ceased, leaving the stages wet and slippery. The temperature started at eight and rose to ten degrees Celsius as the day progressed.
Subaru World Rally Team Summary
After the final day of competition on the inaugural Rally Ireland, the Subaru World Rally Team pairing of Petter Solberg and Phil Mills continued their solid pace to finish fifth. The morning brought disappointment for the team however with the retirement of Chris Atkinson at the morning’s service.
Photo: SWRT
Petter headed into the final four stages focused on continuing to drive to a pace with which he was comfortable. Experiencing a punctured right rear tyre, which was totally flat by the third split of the day’s opener (SS17), Petter otherwise had a trouble-free day. He ended the rally on a high by winning the final stage while fifth place meant four points in the drivers’ and manufacturers’ championships.
The Impreza WRC2007 of Chris Atkinson was withdrawn at this morning’s ten minute service. During the last service of leg two the team discovered an internal engine problem, and after analysing the data overnight and inspecting the engine again today, the decision was made to retire as there was almost no possibility of the car reaching the end of the rally. According to Superally regulations the Australian still managed to collect two manufacturers’ championship points.
Photo: SWRT
Team Quotes
Richard Taylor, Subaru World Rally Team Managing Director
“Our results here have been disappointing however we have made some positive steps with chassis development for the future. Petter and Chris have scored manufacturers’ championship points keeping up a close competition for third overall as we head to Wales Rally GB.”
Petter Solberg
“It’s been the most difficult rally I have ever done I think, but it’s been quite enjoyable. It’s been very special for Phil and me as you have to really work properly together as a team to get through this rally, and we have finished with no mistakes at all. The car is working better and we have had some good stage times, so it has been quite a good event for us. The result is not what we hoped, but we will now really, really work hard for Wales Rally GB.”
