Peugeot Win Corona Rally Mexico

Story Date : 01 May 2002

Harri Rovanperä and Risto Pietilainen have won the Corona Rally Mexico with an unbelievable margin of 58m 54s over their closest rival. They led the rally from the first to the last stage and were fastest over every one of the 22 tests. Rally Mexico is a candidate new round of the World Rally Championship and, if the desperate economic conditions in Argentina continue as they are, could replace Rally Argentina to become the Americas round.

Eleven cars set off on final leg of the Corona Rally Mexico, the programme comprising a loop of four stages run twice for a total competitive distance of 96km. Although a relatively short finale, it offered a mix of all the different types of terrain competitors had come across during their stay in Leon.

"The second stage of the loop was particularly rough, with sizeable rocks of the sort you might expect in Cyprus and Greece," says Harri Rovanperä. "The other three were much smoother however, especially the last stage which was very fast. We were flat out at close to 200kph for some time. If only because of its magnificent stages, I believe this rally deserves inclusion in the World Championship calendar."

Corrado Provera was equally enthusiastic about the Mexican event: "We can only be pleased with our decision to come to Mexico. Harri and Risto and everyone at Bozian did a remarkable job. Almost everything is in place for this event to become a round of the World Rally Championship, should the FIA so decide. The organisers were enthusiastic and capable, while the stages allow the drivers to demonstrate their skills and the cars to show their level of performance. The exotic landscapes and the warm welcome we were given by the local population made Rally Mexico a very pleasant event indeed and it will be a great pleasure to come back to this country. We hope the organisers see their dream come true, something that perhaps isn't that far away."

FINAL CLASSIFICATION:
1, Harri Rovanperä/Risto Pietilainen (Peugeot 206 WRC)
2, Carlos Izquierdo (Mitsubishi Lancer) + 58m 54.3s< br />3, Roberto Sánchez (Volkswagen Golf) + 1h16m 22.9s
4, Sergio Ramírez (Volkswagen Golf) + 1h 20m 04.9s
5, Fernando Couto (Mitsubishi Lancer) + 1h 21m 22.1s

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