June 2003

- Remi Blondet

Peugeot maintains WRC lead

24 June 2003: Peugeot has maintained the lead in the Manufacturers' World Championship, thanks to an excellent second place from Harri Rovanpera on the Cyprus Rally this weekend. Peugeot driver Richard Burns continues to lead the World Championship for drivers.

Harri overcame some of the most difficult conditions that World Championship rallying has ever seen, with three days of rough surfaces and searing temperatures decimating the field. Just seven of the original 16 manufacturer entries made it to the finish.

The Finn drove carefully on the final leg, which consisted of six stages run in two loops of three. But he had to make running repairs to his car before the final two stages after encountering a transmission problem. Harri removed the front-left driveshaft, and continued to the end with just three-wheel drive. His well-deserved result means that Peugeot continues to lead the manufacturers' championship with an eight-point margin over Citroen.

Email a comment or TEXT 086 8267104