WRC round#4 ; Portugal

Seb had it all again as the Portugal series rewarded him yet another victory through his superb rally driving skill. Though his effort was not an easy one as he was third at the end of the opening day. It was Seb's 51st win with a perfect ten score on each of the recent 2009 four events in a consecutive time.

As we will be hearing any breaking news from round#5 Rally of Argentine shortly, let's recap the last round of Portugal;

A few mishap hampered Seb on the first leg giving "disadvantage" to Mikko who had a tough job sweeping the dusty gravel road as the first car. That was immediately after his team mate's incident Jarri who had rolled his car almost 20 times as it plunged 150 metres down a hillside.

Leg 2 day 2; Marcus Gronholm got carried away, an incident had eclipsed his Imprezza damaging the radiator. Later he commented that he was too excited of getting back to rally driving when he overshoot a fast "S" corner on SS8. As the Imprezza slide too wide it caught the second corner's embankment, he was out at fourth position. Meanwhile Mikko's overall lead over Seb by 13.4 sec rapidly diminished as Seb continually  set fastest time on several stages and moved his rank into second position.

Seb  set out the fastest on SS9 at 17.14.6. By the end of the leg 2 Seb had perfect rally driving winning all six  stages comfortably lead Mikko by 26 seconds. It might had been for his new soft compound Pirelli tires wearing out prematurely due to Mikko's sweeping out job as the lead car earlier.

As the gap between Seb and Mikko widened on the second stage day three SS15, it would become clear for Mikko not to risk further on his chasing effort. Ford team decided to secure its manufacturing title instead, and aiming for second position with eight points. All the leading pack were now easing off their pace.

As the event moved to its closing stage for a stadium held super special stage, all four top positions were then secured in this order; Seb, Mikko, Daniel and Petter. It was very unfortunate for Matthew to lose his fifth rank due to a brake failure and subsequently cost him a roll damaging his clutch, a good two km off the stage finishing line.

Yet it was his team mate Henning who inherited the rank, he also scored the fastest time at the super special stage. Similarly S Ogier was out earlier for broken steering arm thanks for a tree he hit.

Breaking news WRC#5 Rally of Argentina - SS 1 ; SUPER SPEC. STADE CORDOBA 1