Peugeot tops shakedown

The Peugeot squad is confident that it has cured the hydraulic system problems which have caused grief on the new 307 WRC since its debut on the Monte Carlo Rally and the speed which the car has also shown since then seems unaffected.

Petter Solberg, who debuted the new 2004-spec Subaru on the last round of the championship in Mexico and set a thundering pace, was the best of the rest on the 4.5km Komokoriki Road stage in the Kaupakapa area, around 70 km North of Auckland.

The crews encountered just the sort of autumn weather conditions they are likely to find on the rally itself - some sun shining through the clouds, chilly winds and some rain by the end of the afternoon.

Peugeot 206 drivers Henning Solberg and Daniel Carlsson were also well up on the pace with fourth and sixth best times, while Sebastien Loeb split the pair in the new 2004 Citroen Xsara, which has new bodywork, revised weight distribution and engine modifications. The WRC points leader pronounced the new car: "well balanced and easy to drive," after the test.

Marcus Gronholm Peugeot 307 WRC 2m46.0s
Harri Rovanpera Peugeot 307 WRC 2m46.1s
Petter Solberg Subaru Impreza WRC 2m46.7s
Henning Solberg Peugeot 206 WRC 2m47.6s
Sebastien Loeb Citroen Xsara WRC 2m49.1s
Daniel Carlsson Peugeot 206 WRC 2m49.2s
Carlos Sainz Citroen Xsara WRC 2m49.2s
Francois Duval Ford Focus WRC 2m49.3s
Kristian Sohlberg Mitsubishi Lancer WRC 2m49.9s
Markko Martin Ford Focus WRC 2m50.0s