info thanks to Ateco
Citroen's Sébastien Loeb goes into this weekend's (16-19 September 2004)
RAC Rally, the UK round of the World Rally Championship, with a 30 point
lead over his nearest rival and a theoretical chance to clinch the drivers'
World Championship title, but with the move of the event from its
traditional late November to mid-September, nothing can be taken for
certain.
Last year Sébastien Loeb steered his Citroën Xsara to second place in this
event and gifted Citroën the World Rally Championship manufacturers' title
in its debut WRC season, but lost out to Petter Solberg and his Subaru for
the drivers' title.
This year, the roles are almost reversed. To catch the Frenchman, Solberg
would have to win the RAC Rally and the two following events with Loeb
failing to score.
But stranger things have happened in rallying.
The joker in the organizational pack is that the RAC Rally is no longer in
the wet, cold and often icy and snowy late November that saw if often as a
gruesome event for competitors and spectators alike, but in mid September,
when it could be dry and dusty in the Welsh valleys. Meanwhile Australia
has moved to November, when it will be, hotter, drier and with little risk
of rain.
For the team planners, such as Citroën Sport's Technical Manager
Jean-Claude Vaucard, everything is a tough decision.
"To cover all the conditions possible it will be necessary to nominate the
full spectrum of tyre options in sufficient quantities, from the softest to
the hardest rubber, plus two intermediate compounds," says Jean-Claude
Vaucard. "That, however, would mean exceeding the tyre quota. It will
therefore be necessary to take a chance in the hope that you have made the
right choice. If the weather proves changeable, we will need to adapt as
quickly and as effectively as possible to the rapid changes in grip."
So what sort of event will Loeb drive? Safe and sensible, or all out to on
the top of the winner's podium again?
"Like I am every time!" Says Loeb. "Perhaps more so! That's often how it is
with rallies I enjoy. We will have to wait to see whether it is possible.
Part of the rally will be played out on Monday, when we nominate our tyre
choices. Following its date switch, this event is likely to be the most
complicated gravel rally of the calendar on the tyre front. The conditions
stand to vary from dry and hard to cold, damp, muddy or even pouring rain.
To be sure of having the ideal tyre for each situation, we could nominate a
bit of everything, from ultra-soft rubber to hard compounds. But in that
case, we will only have a limited quantity of each and we will end up
running short if the conditions are consistent. The alternative, riskier
solution will be to go without certain products. In a word, what I don't
like about this rally is that we could lose it on the Monday before the
start!"
(ends)
Questions to Guy Fréquelin…
The obvious question: what do you think of the switch of Wales Rally GB to
September?
"If we are to find the same conditions that have marked the rally these
past two years, the weather will have to be simply atrocious, and that's
not really likely! If the weather proves dry, hot even, it will be a
completely different event to the one we know. The stages will be very
fast; as quick as, if not quicker than Rally Finland, although the Welsh
forests can be rougher. The car will therefore need to be strong. However,
given the region in which the rally is held, that is to say close to the
sea, the weather could well prove highly changeable. If that is the case,
it stands to be a very complicated weekend, similar to what we experienced
in Germany…"
Could it be a lottery?
"I obviously hope not, but you can't rule it out. The variety of weather
and stage conditions the event's date switch could bring means we will need
a broad selection of tyre types. But the drivers will have to register
their individual tyre choices even before they begin the recce. That
decision will be based on weather forecasts which, however detailed they
may be, are inevitably uncertain. There is therefore something of a clash;
for while we work permanently on tracking down and eliminating as many
imponderables as possible, the regulations introduce others…"
The event's previous date, which meant that the title chase was often
decided in Great Britain, made it quite a stressful occasion. Will it be
different this time round?
"Without a doubt, although there will still be the considerable nervous
tension that goes hand in hand with all events. For both Citroën and the
team's drivers, this rally marks an important step, although it probably
won't be conclusive. We are in a positive spiral at the moment and that
needs to result in us achieving our two objectives. It is therefore
essential that we stick to that. I won't surprise anyone if I say that, as
usual, we will start by gauging where we stand early on. If we sense that
victory is possible, we will do all we can to win. Otherwise, we will try
to come away with as many points as possible. Once again, we are not in a
situation where we will have to take unnecessary risks…"
…to Sébastien Loeb…
This will be your fifth visit to Wales. Is this an event you enjoy?
"Absolutely! There are three things I like about this rally: the scenery,
which always had something magical about it in the winter sunshine. I hope
it will be just as stunning in September. I also like the atmosphere. But
above all, I like the Welsh stages and the driving style they call for.
They're not too rough and they're fast, slippery and wide enough to enable
you to slide, something which was previously indispensable given how little
grip there was. I admit that I also like the stages because they suit the
Xsara… Will that still be the case now the event has been brought forward
two months? I hope so!"
Last year you were divided between the joy of clinching the Manufacturers'
title for Citroën and the disappointment of only finishing runner-up in the
Drivers' championship. Will you be out for revenge?
"No, you can't say that. Last year, after two stages, I was in the lead,
which means the Xsara and I had the potential to win, although we will
never know whether I would have succeeded or not. Later in the event, I
tried to push hard but I didn't succeed in matching the times of Petter
[Solberg]. Perhaps he had upped his game, while maybe I wasn't
psychologically in the same frame of mind. On the Friday morning's opening
stages, I had a bit of a 'moment' and I remember thinking: 'hey, you were
quick there!'. Later in the event though, other 'moments' tended to prompt
me to lift. I thought: 'careful, no mistakes!'. No, it wouldn't be right to
talk in terms of a desire for revenge, but rather a desire to demonstrate
that, like last year, I can be competitive on this type of terrain…"
So you will be out to win…?
"Like I am every time… Perhaps more so even… That's often how it is with
rallies I enjoy. We will have to wait to see whether it is possible. Part
of the rally will be played out on Monday, when we nominate our tyre
choices. Following its date switch, this event is likely to be the most
complicated gravel rally of the calendar on the tyre front. The conditions
stand to vary from dry and hard to cold, damp, muddy or even pouring rain.
To be sure of having the ideal tyre for each situation, we could nominate a
bit of everything, from ultra-soft rubber to hard compounds. But in that
case, we will only have a limited quantity of each and we will end up
running short if the conditions are consistent. The alternative, riskier
solution will be to go without certain products. In a word, what I don't
like about this rally is that we could lose it on the Monday before the
start…"
…and to Carlos Sainz…
This will be the fifteenth time you start Britain's round of the WRC, an
event you knew when its stages were secret. What do you think about this
year's date change? Do you fear that the 'RAC', which had a very strong
image and reputation, could become just another a rally?
"It's true that I knew the RAC when it was secret. I liked that a lot. When
the rally moved to the Cardiff region and we could recce the stages, it
obviously became easier, especially given the proximity of the sea which
meant there was no snow or ice as there used to be. Even so, the conditions
were still treacherous, with fog, rain and mud. The date change means we
may lose the delicate aspect of the event that the weather brought. It
should be drier, although we don't know how much drier…"
As the final round of the season, there was usually a great deal of
pressure during this rally and the title decision has frequently been
played out here. What memories do you have of previous events?
"I have mixed memories of the RAC Rally. I have won it twice, but I have
also suffered some bitter disappointments. Of course, everyone remembers
what happened in 1998. People still bring it up all the time. The title
narrowly escaped us so close to home! Except for an accident, a driver
couldn't have a worse recollection. It certainly marked me, but in a way it
also taught me a great deal. I also remember the last year the stages were
secret. Our car broke down two stages from the end while we were leading.
That too was very tough to accept…"
What strengths does a car need to have to be competitive in the Welsh
forests?
"It's more a tyre rally than a rally for a specific type of car. If you get
your choice right and the weather isn't too fickle, everything should go
well. That's the most critical thing to get right. And in any case, the
Xsara is now nicely balanced and quick everywhere..."
Given the current positions in the two championships, and especially yours
in the Drivers' points table, what sort of result will you be looking for
in Wales?
"The fact that Citroën leads the Manufacturers' standings and that I am 4th
in the Drivers' classification hasn't changed my objective which, as usual,
is to win! I will do all I can to succeed in that or else to finish on the
podium once again!"
Facts and figures:
" The time difference between Great Britain (GMT+1) and Continental
Europe (GMT+2) is one hour, to be added to the times listed below to obtain
Continental European time.
" Total length of the 2004 Wales Rally GB is 1,298.12 km, including
394.03 km divided into 19 stages (9 different).
" Cardiff remains the host city for the start and finish, as well as
for the Cardiff Bay super-special which is scheduled three times. However,
all this year's overnight halts will be at the Felindre service park,
located some 75 km west of the Welsh capital and officially known as the
Swansea Rally Centre for the occasion.
" Recce (two runs over each stage at a maximum speed of 80 kph) takes
place over Tuesday September 14th (13:00 until 17:30) and Wednesday
September 15th (07:30 until 18:00).
" As in 2003, the shakedown stage (Thursday September 16th, from
09:00 until 13:00) is in Penllergaer Forest, near Felindre. The stage
itself (3.9 km) is new.
" Remote Tyre Fitting Zones (RTFZ) have been programmed in the course
of Legs 1 and 2. Of a duration of 10 minutes each, these mini service parks
permit tyres to be changed as well as work on the car so long as it
complies with certain restrictions: a maximum of two mechanics per car,
using only a jack, ramps, axle-stands, a wheel-brace, a torque wrench and
ordinary water, plus any parts and tools carried in the rally car. The crew
may also work on the car.
" The start ceremony will be held in Cardiff on the evening of
Thursday September 16th (from 19:00) and is immediately followed by the
first run at the super-special, after which cars will proceed to parc ferme
at the Felindre service park.
" Leg 1 (Friday September 17th): 570.54 km, including 183.31 km
divided into 7 stages. Starts from the Felindre Service park at 05:50;
Service A (05h50, 10 minutes); 'Brechfa 1'/'Trawscoed 1'; RTFZ in the
National Botanic Gardens of Wales (09:26, 10 minutes); 'Brechfa
2'/'Trawscoed 2'; Service B (12:50, 20 minutes); 'Rheola 1'; Service C
(15:56, 20 minutes); 'Rheola 2'; Service D (18:59, 45 minutes). Cars enter
parc ferme from 19:44 until 22:00.
" Leg 2 (Saturday September 18th): 458.49 km, including 120.72 km
divided into 8 stages. Starts at 07:15; Service E (07:15, 10 minutes);
'Crychan 1'/'Epynt 1'/'Halfway 1'; RTFZ in Sennybridge (11:15, 10 minutes);
'Crychan 2':'Epynt 2'/'Halfway 2'; Service F (14:36, 20 minutes); 'Margam
1'/'Cardiff Super Special 2'; Service G (19:14, 45 minutes). Cars enter
parc ferme from 20:59 until 22:30.
" Leg 3 (Sunday September 19th): 269.09 km, including 90 km divided
into 4 stages. Starts at 06:30; Service H (06:30, 10 minutes); 'Rhondda 1';
Service I (09:08, 20 minutes) ; 'Rhondda 2'/'Margam 2 '/'Cardiff Super
Special 3'. The rally finishes after the regroup that follows the
super-special.
" Of the 9 stages used in 2004, five were run in 2003 (the Cardiff
Super Special, 'Trawscoed', 'Rheola', 'Crychan', 'Halfway'). 'Brechfa'
features 8 km that are new, making it identical to the test used in 2001.
After being split into two parts last year for live TV purposes, Margam
becomes a single stage again. The 2004 'Rhondda' test is a mix of the 2003
stage and 'Resolfen'. 'Epynt' is new.
" Tyres: two types of pattern are authorised per team. They were
registered four weeks prior to the start. The individual driver quota
(tyres identified by bar-codes and nominated on Monday September 13th) is
90 tyres in Great Britain, 45 of which may be used during the event.
" Sébastien Loeb first competed in the British round driving a Saxo
"Challenge" in 1999 (38th o/a, 2nd 'two-wheel drive', 1st class A6). In
2001, he won the Junior WRC category (Saxo Super 1600, 15th o/a). His first
participation driving a Xsara WRC was in 2002 (retired while 7th on SS16).
He finished 2nd in 2003.
" Carlos Sainz has started this event 15 times: 2003 (retired), 2002
(3rd), 2001 (retired), 2000 (4th), 1999 (retired), 1998 (retired), 1997
(3rd), 1995 (2nd), 1994 (retired), 1992 (1st), 1991 (3rd), 1990 (1st), 1989
(2nd), 1988 (7th), 1987 (8th).
" Rally Japan saw Carlos Sainz notch up his 190th WRC start.
Meanwhile, Wales Rally GB will be Sébastien Loeb's 50th WRC start, his 36th
driving a Xsara WRC.
" This will be Guerlain Chicherit's first attempt at Rally GB, the
Junior WRC category of which has been won on two occasions by Citroën
drivers (Sébastien Loeb in 2001, Dani Solà in 2002).
" Citroën secured the 2003 Manufacturers' world title thanks to its
result in last November's event.
Citroen's Sébastien Loeb goes into this weekend's (16-19 September 2004)
RAC Rally, the UK round of the World Rally Championship, with a 30 point
lead over his nearest rival and a theoretical chance to clinch the drivers'
World Championship title, but with the move of the event from its
traditional late November to mid-September, nothing can be taken for
certain.
Last year Sébastien Loeb steered his Citroën Xsara to second place in this
event and gifted Citroën the World Rally Championship manufacturers' title
in its debut WRC season, but lost out to Petter Solberg and his Subaru for
the drivers' title.
This year, the roles are almost reversed. To catch the Frenchman, Solberg
would have to win the RAC Rally and the two following events with Loeb
failing to score.
But stranger things have happened in rallying.
The joker in the organizational pack is that the RAC Rally is no longer in
the wet, cold and often icy and snowy late November that saw if often as a
gruesome event for competitors and spectators alike, but in mid September,
when it could be dry and dusty in the Welsh valleys. Meanwhile Australia
has moved to November, when it will be, hotter, drier and with little risk
of rain.
For the team planners, such as Citroën Sport's Technical Manager
Jean-Claude Vaucard, everything is a tough decision.
"To cover all the conditions possible it will be necessary to nominate the
full spectrum of tyre options in sufficient quantities, from the softest to
the hardest rubber, plus two intermediate compounds," says Jean-Claude
Vaucard. "That, however, would mean exceeding the tyre quota. It will
therefore be necessary to take a chance in the hope that you have made the
right choice. If the weather proves changeable, we will need to adapt as
quickly and as effectively as possible to the rapid changes in grip."
So what sort of event will Loeb drive? Safe and sensible, or all out to on
the top of the winner's podium again?
"Like I am every time!" Says Loeb. "Perhaps more so! That's often how it is
with rallies I enjoy. We will have to wait to see whether it is possible.
Part of the rally will be played out on Monday, when we nominate our tyre
choices. Following its date switch, this event is likely to be the most
complicated gravel rally of the calendar on the tyre front. The conditions
stand to vary from dry and hard to cold, damp, muddy or even pouring rain.
To be sure of having the ideal tyre for each situation, we could nominate a
bit of everything, from ultra-soft rubber to hard compounds. But in that
case, we will only have a limited quantity of each and we will end up
running short if the conditions are consistent. The alternative, riskier
solution will be to go without certain products. In a word, what I don't
like about this rally is that we could lose it on the Monday before the
start!"
(ends)
Questions to Guy Fréquelin…
The obvious question: what do you think of the switch of Wales Rally GB to
September?
"If we are to find the same conditions that have marked the rally these
past two years, the weather will have to be simply atrocious, and that's
not really likely! If the weather proves dry, hot even, it will be a
completely different event to the one we know. The stages will be very
fast; as quick as, if not quicker than Rally Finland, although the Welsh
forests can be rougher. The car will therefore need to be strong. However,
given the region in which the rally is held, that is to say close to the
sea, the weather could well prove highly changeable. If that is the case,
it stands to be a very complicated weekend, similar to what we experienced
in Germany…"
Could it be a lottery?
"I obviously hope not, but you can't rule it out. The variety of weather
and stage conditions the event's date switch could bring means we will need
a broad selection of tyre types. But the drivers will have to register
their individual tyre choices even before they begin the recce. That
decision will be based on weather forecasts which, however detailed they
may be, are inevitably uncertain. There is therefore something of a clash;
for while we work permanently on tracking down and eliminating as many
imponderables as possible, the regulations introduce others…"
The event's previous date, which meant that the title chase was often
decided in Great Britain, made it quite a stressful occasion. Will it be
different this time round?
"Without a doubt, although there will still be the considerable nervous
tension that goes hand in hand with all events. For both Citroën and the
team's drivers, this rally marks an important step, although it probably
won't be conclusive. We are in a positive spiral at the moment and that
needs to result in us achieving our two objectives. It is therefore
essential that we stick to that. I won't surprise anyone if I say that, as
usual, we will start by gauging where we stand early on. If we sense that
victory is possible, we will do all we can to win. Otherwise, we will try
to come away with as many points as possible. Once again, we are not in a
situation where we will have to take unnecessary risks…"
…to Sébastien Loeb…
This will be your fifth visit to Wales. Is this an event you enjoy?
"Absolutely! There are three things I like about this rally: the scenery,
which always had something magical about it in the winter sunshine. I hope
it will be just as stunning in September. I also like the atmosphere. But
above all, I like the Welsh stages and the driving style they call for.
They're not too rough and they're fast, slippery and wide enough to enable
you to slide, something which was previously indispensable given how little
grip there was. I admit that I also like the stages because they suit the
Xsara… Will that still be the case now the event has been brought forward
two months? I hope so!"
Last year you were divided between the joy of clinching the Manufacturers'
title for Citroën and the disappointment of only finishing runner-up in the
Drivers' championship. Will you be out for revenge?
"No, you can't say that. Last year, after two stages, I was in the lead,
which means the Xsara and I had the potential to win, although we will
never know whether I would have succeeded or not. Later in the event, I
tried to push hard but I didn't succeed in matching the times of Petter
[Solberg]. Perhaps he had upped his game, while maybe I wasn't
psychologically in the same frame of mind. On the Friday morning's opening
stages, I had a bit of a 'moment' and I remember thinking: 'hey, you were
quick there!'. Later in the event though, other 'moments' tended to prompt
me to lift. I thought: 'careful, no mistakes!'. No, it wouldn't be right to
talk in terms of a desire for revenge, but rather a desire to demonstrate
that, like last year, I can be competitive on this type of terrain…"
So you will be out to win…?
"Like I am every time… Perhaps more so even… That's often how it is with
rallies I enjoy. We will have to wait to see whether it is possible. Part
of the rally will be played out on Monday, when we nominate our tyre
choices. Following its date switch, this event is likely to be the most
complicated gravel rally of the calendar on the tyre front. The conditions
stand to vary from dry and hard to cold, damp, muddy or even pouring rain.
To be sure of having the ideal tyre for each situation, we could nominate a
bit of everything, from ultra-soft rubber to hard compounds. But in that
case, we will only have a limited quantity of each and we will end up
running short if the conditions are consistent. The alternative, riskier
solution will be to go without certain products. In a word, what I don't
like about this rally is that we could lose it on the Monday before the
start…"
…and to Carlos Sainz…
This will be the fifteenth time you start Britain's round of the WRC, an
event you knew when its stages were secret. What do you think about this
year's date change? Do you fear that the 'RAC', which had a very strong
image and reputation, could become just another a rally?
"It's true that I knew the RAC when it was secret. I liked that a lot. When
the rally moved to the Cardiff region and we could recce the stages, it
obviously became easier, especially given the proximity of the sea which
meant there was no snow or ice as there used to be. Even so, the conditions
were still treacherous, with fog, rain and mud. The date change means we
may lose the delicate aspect of the event that the weather brought. It
should be drier, although we don't know how much drier…"
As the final round of the season, there was usually a great deal of
pressure during this rally and the title decision has frequently been
played out here. What memories do you have of previous events?
"I have mixed memories of the RAC Rally. I have won it twice, but I have
also suffered some bitter disappointments. Of course, everyone remembers
what happened in 1998. People still bring it up all the time. The title
narrowly escaped us so close to home! Except for an accident, a driver
couldn't have a worse recollection. It certainly marked me, but in a way it
also taught me a great deal. I also remember the last year the stages were
secret. Our car broke down two stages from the end while we were leading.
That too was very tough to accept…"
What strengths does a car need to have to be competitive in the Welsh
forests?
"It's more a tyre rally than a rally for a specific type of car. If you get
your choice right and the weather isn't too fickle, everything should go
well. That's the most critical thing to get right. And in any case, the
Xsara is now nicely balanced and quick everywhere..."
Given the current positions in the two championships, and especially yours
in the Drivers' points table, what sort of result will you be looking for
in Wales?
"The fact that Citroën leads the Manufacturers' standings and that I am 4th
in the Drivers' classification hasn't changed my objective which, as usual,
is to win! I will do all I can to succeed in that or else to finish on the
podium once again!"
Facts and figures:
" The time difference between Great Britain (GMT+1) and Continental
Europe (GMT+2) is one hour, to be added to the times listed below to obtain
Continental European time.
" Total length of the 2004 Wales Rally GB is 1,298.12 km, including
394.03 km divided into 19 stages (9 different).
" Cardiff remains the host city for the start and finish, as well as
for the Cardiff Bay super-special which is scheduled three times. However,
all this year's overnight halts will be at the Felindre service park,
located some 75 km west of the Welsh capital and officially known as the
Swansea Rally Centre for the occasion.
" Recce (two runs over each stage at a maximum speed of 80 kph) takes
place over Tuesday September 14th (13:00 until 17:30) and Wednesday
September 15th (07:30 until 18:00).
" As in 2003, the shakedown stage (Thursday September 16th, from
09:00 until 13:00) is in Penllergaer Forest, near Felindre. The stage
itself (3.9 km) is new.
" Remote Tyre Fitting Zones (RTFZ) have been programmed in the course
of Legs 1 and 2. Of a duration of 10 minutes each, these mini service parks
permit tyres to be changed as well as work on the car so long as it
complies with certain restrictions: a maximum of two mechanics per car,
using only a jack, ramps, axle-stands, a wheel-brace, a torque wrench and
ordinary water, plus any parts and tools carried in the rally car. The crew
may also work on the car.
" The start ceremony will be held in Cardiff on the evening of
Thursday September 16th (from 19:00) and is immediately followed by the
first run at the super-special, after which cars will proceed to parc ferme
at the Felindre service park.
" Leg 1 (Friday September 17th): 570.54 km, including 183.31 km
divided into 7 stages. Starts from the Felindre Service park at 05:50;
Service A (05h50, 10 minutes); 'Brechfa 1'/'Trawscoed 1'; RTFZ in the
National Botanic Gardens of Wales (09:26, 10 minutes); 'Brechfa
2'/'Trawscoed 2'; Service B (12:50, 20 minutes); 'Rheola 1'; Service C
(15:56, 20 minutes); 'Rheola 2'; Service D (18:59, 45 minutes). Cars enter
parc ferme from 19:44 until 22:00.
" Leg 2 (Saturday September 18th): 458.49 km, including 120.72 km
divided into 8 stages. Starts at 07:15; Service E (07:15, 10 minutes);
'Crychan 1'/'Epynt 1'/'Halfway 1'; RTFZ in Sennybridge (11:15, 10 minutes);
'Crychan 2':'Epynt 2'/'Halfway 2'; Service F (14:36, 20 minutes); 'Margam
1'/'Cardiff Super Special 2'; Service G (19:14, 45 minutes). Cars enter
parc ferme from 20:59 until 22:30.
" Leg 3 (Sunday September 19th): 269.09 km, including 90 km divided
into 4 stages. Starts at 06:30; Service H (06:30, 10 minutes); 'Rhondda 1';
Service I (09:08, 20 minutes) ; 'Rhondda 2'/'Margam 2 '/'Cardiff Super
Special 3'. The rally finishes after the regroup that follows the
super-special.
" Of the 9 stages used in 2004, five were run in 2003 (the Cardiff
Super Special, 'Trawscoed', 'Rheola', 'Crychan', 'Halfway'). 'Brechfa'
features 8 km that are new, making it identical to the test used in 2001.
After being split into two parts last year for live TV purposes, Margam
becomes a single stage again. The 2004 'Rhondda' test is a mix of the 2003
stage and 'Resolfen'. 'Epynt' is new.
" Tyres: two types of pattern are authorised per team. They were
registered four weeks prior to the start. The individual driver quota
(tyres identified by bar-codes and nominated on Monday September 13th) is
90 tyres in Great Britain, 45 of which may be used during the event.
" Sébastien Loeb first competed in the British round driving a Saxo
"Challenge" in 1999 (38th o/a, 2nd 'two-wheel drive', 1st class A6). In
2001, he won the Junior WRC category (Saxo Super 1600, 15th o/a). His first
participation driving a Xsara WRC was in 2002 (retired while 7th on SS16).
He finished 2nd in 2003.
" Carlos Sainz has started this event 15 times: 2003 (retired), 2002
(3rd), 2001 (retired), 2000 (4th), 1999 (retired), 1998 (retired), 1997
(3rd), 1995 (2nd), 1994 (retired), 1992 (1st), 1991 (3rd), 1990 (1st), 1989
(2nd), 1988 (7th), 1987 (8th).
" Rally Japan saw Carlos Sainz notch up his 190th WRC start.
Meanwhile, Wales Rally GB will be Sébastien Loeb's 50th WRC start, his 36th
driving a Xsara WRC.
" This will be Guerlain Chicherit's first attempt at Rally GB, the
Junior WRC category of which has been won on two occasions by Citroën
drivers (Sébastien Loeb in 2001, Dani Solà in 2002).
" Citroën secured the 2003 Manufacturers' world title thanks to its
result in last November's event.