Galli and Solberg take on the points-scoring duties for Stobart
Last updated 19:39, Thursday, 27 March 2008
STOBART VK M-Sport Ford race in Argentina this weekend hoping to build on their fourth placed in the World rally manufacturers’ championship.
Gigi Galli/Giovanni Bernacchini and Henning Solberg/Cato Menkerud are the teams’ nominated point scorers for the event.
Team-mates Matthew Wilson/Scott Martin also travel to the American continent in a confident fashion after a superb sixth in Mexico earlier this month.
Argentina is a special event for Galli as it is the stomping ground where he achieved his first ever WRC podium back in 2006, finishing third.
This will be the Italian’s third attempt at Rally Argentina as he searches for yet another good result this year after a podium in Sweden and quick pace in Mexico before retirement.
Despite his retirement in Mexico Galli still remains a well positioned fifth in the drivers’ championship.
Returning to the Stobart squad after a spell with the Munchi’s Ford World Rally Team on round three, Solberg will be looking to continue his form in America which has already seen him pick up fifth, and score his first 2008 drivers’ point, in Mexico.
Argentina is historically a memorable place for the Norwegian also, as it is where he achieved his first ever stage win as a driver in 2006 (SS16).
Rally Argentina seems to be the place of milestones for this Stobart team with Wilson too achieving his first ever WRC stage win (SS22), and first ever drivers’ point, here in 2006.
This will be the 21-year-old’s third attempt at the event and his first in the 2007 spec Stobart Ford Focus RS WRC. The young West Cumbrian currently occupies 10th in the drivers’ championship.
Galli said: “I’m really happy to go back to Argentina. I have very good memories of the rally, not only because it’s where we got our first podium but also because of the fans - there are so many and you can feel their warmth.”
Wilson said: “Hopefully this year we will have a bit more luck in Argentina and a cleaner run after a fairly eventful rally last season.
“Not doing all the stages last year might put us at a slight advantage because I don’t have the knowledge like on other events.
“2006, however, was a great year and is where I scored my first drivers’ point and WRC stage win.
“It’s going to be a nice change to run in a warmer part of the year but like last year the weather is just so unpredictable you have to expect everything.
“I have always liked coming to Argentina and I’m looking forward to the rally and hopefully we’ll be able to score some more good points following on from Mexico.”
