Last updated 19:41, Thursday, 03 April 2008

TREMENDOUS fight-backs by Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala in the Rally Argentina kept the Dovenby-based BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team on course to take a third World Rally manufacturers’ title.

WATER: Mikko Hirvonen making a splash in Argentina but there won’t be much water around in Jordan

Hirvonen was a comfortable leader on the first morning until he hit a rock, breaking a track control arm in the front suspension and he was sidelined for the day.

The 27-year-old Finn restarted the next day in 25th position and stormed back up the classification to finish in fifth.

Latvala recovered from a first day roll and a broken starter motor on the second day to finish 15th.

The double points haul was far more than had looked possible midway through the second day as rocky roads and treacherous conditions sparked a high rate of attrition among the leading drivers.

Hirvonen said: "After Friday's problems, I never thought I could climb this high.

“I'm surprised to score points and luckily Loeb isn't so far ahead in the championship. He's only five points in front and I thought it would be nine, so that's some comfort.

“But I'm still disappointed because I made such a good start to lead and I could have won, but that's life.”

Latvala said: "My performance was disappointing but I think these were the most difficult conditions I've encountered.

“I've had to adapt to different ways of driving to match the conditions. I'm surprised to score points for the team because I thought we had lost everything and wasn't motivated, but my confidence came back.”

BP Ford Abu Dhabi team director Malcolm Wilson described the rally as the worst for the team since the China Rally in 1999.

He said: "But our team spirit shone through after a tough opening day, we recovered well and we still lead the championship.

“We salvaged good points from a tricky situation and that was far better than it looked earlier in the rally."

Heavy rain before and during the event meant the sandy gravel roads near Carlos Paz in Cordoba province were muddy and rutted.

As the roads became softer, rocks that had not been visible during the recce became exposed, causing problems for many.

Despite the rain, an estimated 1.5 million people flocked into the pampas and the mountains to watch the three-day event, which was fought out over 21 speed tests covering 347.91km.

Citroen’s Sébastien Loeb secured his fourth consecutive Rally Argentina victory, crossing the finish with a 2min 33.2sec advantage.

The championship's next round is it’s third consecutive event outside Europe and takes teams to Jordan for the first time. The all-gravel Jordan Rally is based at the Dead Sea on April 24-27.

Final positions - 1, S Loeb/D Elena, Citroen C4, four hours five minutes 48.6 seconds; 2, C Atkinson/S Prévot, Subaru Impreza, 4.08.21.8; 3, D Sordo/M Marti, Citroen C4, 4.09.53.3; 4, C Rautenbach/D Senior, Citroen C4, 4.25.52.1; 5, M Hirvonen/J Lehtinen, Ford Focus RS, 4.31.03.9; 6, F Villagra/J Perez Companc, Ford Focus RS, 4.33.30.6; 7, G Galli/G Bernacchini, Ford Focus RS, 4.33.40.4; 8, A Aigner/K Wicha, Mitsubishi Lancer, 4.34.47.9; 9, S Beltran/R Rojas, Mitsubishi Lancer, 4.35.53.5; 10, J Ketomaa/M Teiskonen, Subaru Impreza, 4.37.41.2.

Overall standings - Drivers: 1, Loeb 30 points; 2, Hirvonen 25; 3, Atkinson 22; 4, Latvala 16; 5, Galli 11; 6, Sordo 9. Manufacturers: 1, BP Ford Abu Dhabi 44 points; 2, Citroen Total 41; 3, Subaru 33; 4, Stobart VK M-Sport 22; 5, Munchi's Ford 10; 6, Suzuki, 6.