Gronholm targets consistency

The Finn had his Cyprus win taken away from him after the water pumps on both his and team-mate Harri Rovanpera's 307s were deemed not to have matched up with the sport's technical regulations. To add further woe to the team, Gronholm was forced out of the Acropolis Rally earlier this month after he wrecked his suspension running wide on SS11.

The two non-points finishes means Gronholm is particularly fired up for this weekend's effort and while he believes it'll be a tough one, he is convinced the team will be on the pace.

"The last two rallies were nightmares as far as I am concerned," admits the two-times World Champion. "Immediately after Cyprus, I was leading the World Championship before having my win taken away from me which dropped me to 4th in the Drivers' standings. That wasn't a nice experience! I've only got myself to blame though for my off in Greece. I was probably over eager to make up lost ground in the championship as quickly as possible.

"We have worked hard to prepare for Turkey and our recent results show the progress we have made over recent weeks," he added. "I am confident we can do well but it promises to be a very difficult rally. The chances are that it will be extremely hot, unlike last year, and that will put a different face on it. We will have to be strong and consistent over the three days."

The two most recent rounds of the 2004 FIA World Rally Championship that took place in Cyprus and Greece were not particularly happy events for Marcus Grönholm and his 307 WRC. But that has only served to strengthen the resolve of everyone at Peugeot Sport as the team turns its attention to the Rally of Turkey where its objective is crystal clear: to throw all its strength into the forthcoming fixtures with a view to getting back into the title chase.

Gronhom is currently fourth in the drivers' championship on 24 points behind Ford's Markko Martin (34), Subaru's Petter Solberg (38) and leader Sebastien Loeb in the Citroen (43).