Gronholm Tops Turkey Shakedown

Gronholm, still chasing his first win of the season, finished half a second ahead of Subaru's Petter Solberg.

Mitsubishi's Gigi Galli was third quickest, with Harri Rovanpera right behind at the end of the two-mile stage. Rovanpera, however, played down today's times.

"Shakedown is just shakedown," said Rovanpera. "The real rally starts tomorrow. For sure, it's a good start and I am very happy with the car and the team. I don't know whether we can make the podium, it depends on many things.

"We have had a very good test last week, when we sorted out the problems which we had on the last rally in Cyprus. If this rally carries on like the test and shakedown have, then it is possible to make a nice result - it is possible to get in the top three."

Championship leader Sebastien Loeb was only ninth quickest, the Citroen driver outpaced by Carlos Sainz, the two-time champion making his return to competitive racing after his retirement at the end of last year.

The Spaniard was sixth fastest.

Shakedown times:

Pos  Driver       Car            Time   
 1.  Gronholm     Peugeot        2:02.5
 2.  Solberg      Subaru         2:03.0
 3.  Galli        Mitsubishi     2:03.3
 4.  Rovanpera    Mitsubisho     2:03.4
 5.  Schwarz      Skoda          2:03.5
 6.  Sainz        Citroen        2:04.3
 7.  Carlsson     Subaru         2:05.0
 8.  Atkinson     Subaru         2:05.7
 9.  Loeb         Citroen        2:06.0
10.  Gardemeister Ford           2:08.8

All Timing Unofficial