Vodafone Rally de Portugal - 29 March - 01 April 2012

[Yellow]

Thierry says ME TOOOOOOO!!!!!

[Yellow]

HIRVONEN DISQUALIFIED!!!

Senior Citroen Racing officials have commented following Mikko Hirvonen’s exclusion from first place on Vodafone Rally de Portugal on Sunday.

Hirvonen crossed the finishing ramp of the FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia event with a margin of almost two minutes over second-placed Mads Ostberg. However, a report prepared by the FIA technical delegate afterwards confirmed the Citroen DS3 WRC Hirvonen took to victory was using a clutch that did not comply with the car’s homologation documentation.”
Xavier Mestelan-Pinon, Citroen Racing technical director and deputy team principal, said: “The scrutineers identified differences between the homologation sheet and two components: the clutch and the turbocharger. The Citroen DS3 WRCs clutch mechanisms are homologated with lightening holes. Our supplier recently provided us with a batch of parts that were not perforated and one of them was fitted to the No.2 DS3 WRC [of Hirvonen]. These parts don’t provide any gain in terms of performance, as they are heavier than those, which are homologated.
He continued: “Regarding the turbocharger, which is a standard part on all World Rally Cars, the wheel turbine dimension exceed the maximum authorised. This difference comes from dilatation, as the wheel is subject to extreme temperature and rpm factors.”
Matton, the Citroen team principal, added: “We had no intention whatsoever to cheat and the decision appears out of proportion. Given the fact that the reported differences didn’t bring us any advantage, we’ve decided to appeal. At the moment, most of all I feel sorry for Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen, who produced a superb performance on a particularly difficult rally. They really deserved their first win with us. All I can do, on behalf of the entire team, is offer my sincere apologies for this situation. I hope that Mikko and Jarmo will have the chance to top the podium again very soon. ”

[Bigfeet]

^

Ouch! How gutted would you feel if that was you...

[Arlow]

The only good thing to come out of it, is that Seb is now back at the top of the leaderboard.

[Yellow]

Citroen have dropped the appeal and taken the hit. Clutch company has apologised and the turbo is standard to all teams.

[Arlow]

Citroen have dropped the appeal and taken the hit. Clutch company has apologised and the turbo is standard to all teams.

Hopefully this won't come back to bite them at the end of the season.

[Yellow]

Happened to Seb Loeb in his first Monte Carlo Rally with Citroen. Whatever happened to him? lol