Press Release
Marcus Grönholm and Prodrive back in the WRC at Vodafone Rally de Portugal
In addition to the best drivers in the world competing in all three categories of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC, J-WRC and P-WRC), the 2009 edition of the Vodafone Rally de Portugal (2-5 April) will have an additional point of interest: former world champion Marcus Grönholm will be back in rallying at the world level, making his first appearance at the wheel of a Subaru Impreza, a WRC car the Finn has never driven.
Marcus Grönholm, winner of 30 World Championship events, competed in the last two editions of the Vodafone Rally de Portugal, driving a Ford Focus WRC on both occasions: in 2007 as a Ford works driver and in 2008 driving the event safety car, car 0.
Gronholm commented:
It will be fun to return [to the WRC], even in an ad-hoc way, in a car that I don’t know at all and after a year where I competed in some rallycross events. It will be nice, as there was a chance of driving for Subaru just before the manufacturer decided to retire.
I will not start aiming for the win, as I want to compare my speed with the regular WRC boys over the first few stages. The important thing is to feel confidence and pleasure, coming back to an event that I enjoy very much and know the stages quite well.
Grönholm will be driving a latest-specification Subaru Impreza WRC2008, prepared and run by Prodrive and will be co-driven, as always, by Timo Rautiainen.
Gronholm added:
Of course I will test in the Impreza before the rally, not only to try to understand how it works but also, if possible, to adapt it to my driving style. But most importantly, it will be a pleasure to come back to the WRC in Portugal.
Photo: swrt.com
Source: rallydeportugal.pt
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Categories: WRC
Tags: gronholm subaru, marcus gronholm, prodrive, rally de portugal 2009, rally portugal, subaru impreza 2008 wrc, subaru s14 wrc, vodafone, wrc 2009
Tags: gronholm subaru, marcus gronholm, prodrive, rally de portugal 2009, rally portugal, subaru impreza 2008 wrc, subaru s14 wrc, vodafone, wrc 2009
[...] Marcus back for the Rally of Portugal WRC in a Subaru Impreza WRC 2008 backed by Prodrive… Marcus Gronholm to compete on Rally de Portugal 2009 in Prodrive Subaru Impreza WRC2008 | RallyBuzz __________________ Jim Gleeson 0407 220432 "If you have to decide whether there was a [...]
[...] Vía I RallyBuzz [...]
[...] Exactly as the title says, Marcus Gronhom will be competing in an ‘08 WRC Impreza at Portugal 2009, with the car supported by Prodrive. Be interesting to see how he fairs in the car given the teams relative lack of success last year? I don’t know if this marks a potential (full time) return to WRC for Gronholm, I hope not as I was really looking forward to seeing him in the ERC this year! Full story here: Rallybuzz – Gronholm to compete in Portugal ‘09 [...]