Ford’s Marcus Grönholm leads the Rally of Turkey after the opening leg of the 13th round of the FIA World Rally Championship, the Finn pulling out a 26.1 second advantage after 70 kilometres of competition. Second position is held by Subaru World Rally Team driver Petter Solberg, the Norwegian finally enjoying a trouble-free run after months of bad luck and poor performances, while third overall is once again held by Finland’s Mikko Hirvonen.

In contrast to the dry conditions for the reconnaissance at the start of the week, monsoon-like conditions during the last two days changed the face of the rally and crews have encountered treacherously muddy and slippery roads today. The opening two stages were also cancelled for safety reasons and rain, thick mud and fog have characterised the day providing a tricky test for the contenders.

Marcus Grönholm has led from the outset and the Finn set a blistering pace, pulling out an impressive 24.9 seconds in the first stage alone. In the absence of arch rival and Championship leader Sébastien Loeb - who was forced to withdraw after breaking his arm 10 days ago - Grönholm must claim victory if he has any hope of continuing to fight for the title. Three fastest times in the six stages that were run have aided the Finn but, with more rain forecast tomorrow, the battle ahead looks to be as tricky and unpredictable as ever.

Petter Solberg claimed three fastest stage times during the leg and attributed Subaru’s upturn in performance to hard work and team effort. Changes to the Impreza’s set-up have increased his confidence throughout the day and a reliable and consistent car has rewarded the team with second overnight. Mikko Hirvonen is just 22.7 seconds adrift in third in the second Focus with Henning Solberg (Peugeot 307 WRC) hot on his heels only 0.7 seconds behind in fourth.

Colin McRae - substituting for the injured Loeb - had a promising start in the Citroën Xsara and ran as high as fourth overall after just over a year out of world rally car competition. The Scottish former World Rally Champion then lost time on the wrong tyres in the muddy conditions this afternoon and slipped to sixth at the end of the leg, albeit within striking distance of his rivals.

Rally of Turkey – Results after Leg 1
 

1	Marcus Grönholm/Timo Rautiainen	Ford Focus RS WRC	57 min 25.1sec
2	Petter Solberg/Phil Mills	Subaru Impreza WRC	57 min 51.2sec
3	Mikko Hirvonen/Jarmo Lehtinen	Ford Focus RS WRC	58 min 13.9sec
4	Henning Solberg/Cato Menkerud	Peugeot 307 WRC	58 min 14.6sec
5	Kosti Katajamäki/Timo Alanne	Ford Focus RS WRC	58 min 37.3sec
6	Colin McRae/Nicky Grist	Citroën Xsara WRC	58 min 51.0sec

 
Note to Editors: Attached image of rally leader Marcus Grönholm is copyright free for editorial use. Please click here.