The crew Juho Hanninen / Mikko Markkula (Skoda Fabia) are leading so far the Rally Argentina 2010 after the first day of the competition, being watched by quite a big number of spectators. Guy Wilks / Phillip Pugh (Skoda Fabia) and Kris Meeke / Paul Nagle (Peugeot 207) got the first three positions of the Overall.

Day 1 of the 30° Rally Argentina, was dominated by Skoda finn driver who won six out of the seven stages of the day. Thanks to an efficient tune-up and his experience along Cordoba roads - third of Group N4 in the Rally Argentina 2008 - tomorrow he will open the stage with a time of 32s.2 ahead of his follower.

On the other hand, Wilks, who was the best in the second stage of the day, "Amboy - Santa Mónica I", gave a hard fight to Meeke but a bad choice of tyres made him lose much ground in the special stages of the afternoon. This allowed Skoda to get one-two for the Check brand.

Behind came the Fabia Super 2000 driven by Jan Kopecký and Petr Stary while Federico Villagra and co-driver Jorge Perez Companc came in fifth position. Villagra was not comfortable driving his Ford Fiesta S2000 and every time he had the chance, he stated  that he was not able to find the pace of car.

Brasilian Tulio leads the IRC 2WD

In relation to the 2WD cars, the leader is Rafael Tulio with his Peugeot 206, followed by Pablo Pelaez (Honda Civic) with a time difference of 40s7/10. Luis Gius (Ford Ka) came in third place.

VILLAGRA AND POZZO ARE FIGHTING FOR THE LEAD IN THE ARGENTINE CHAMPIONSHIP

In spite of the problems, Villagra is leading the classification of the Argentine Rally Championship, followed by Gabriel Pozzo / Daniel Stillo (Subaru Impreza) who was penalized with 10 seconds due to a delay of one minute in the exit of the service park at noon. Still he is at 13s.4 away of the leader of the Argentine Championship. The third position goes to Nicolás Madero driving his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X.

The Super R classification is led by Elder Tasca (Subaru Impreza) whereas Rafael Tulio is leading Class A6 and Pablo Pelaez Group N2.

Day 2 schedule

The competition will continue tomorrow at 8:13 am with the first of the seven special stages. The race will take place along the roads of Valle de Punilla and Sierras Chicas of the province of Cordoba. The closing of the race will be at 4:23 pm with the super special stage built in along the streets of Villa Carlos Paz. The prizing ceremony will take place as of 5:30 pm in the new promenade of Villa Carlos Paz, metres away from the Service Park. 

Overall Classification (after SS8)

1)   J. Hanninen / M. Markkula (Skoda Fabia) 1h.16m.55s.0/10

2)   G. Wilks / P. Pugh (Skoda Fabia) a 32s.2

3)   K. Meeke / P. Nagle (Peugeot 207) a 51s.0

4)   J. Kopecky / P. Stary (Skoda Fabia) a 1m.26s2

5)   F. Villagra / J. Pérez Companc (Ford Fiesta) a 2m.57s.7

Cronogram– Stage 2 - Sunday March 21

SS 9:    La Cumbre – Agua de Oro (15,16 km)           8:13

SS10:   Ascochinga – La Cumbre (22,40 km)             9:13

SS11:   Valle Hermoso – Casa Grande (11,34km)     10:06

SS12:   Cosquín – Villa Allende (19,18km)                10:40

SS13:   Valle Hermoso – Casa Grande II (11,34km)  14:08

SS14:   Cosquín – Villa Allende II (19,18km)             14:40

SS15: SUPER SPECIAL CARLOS PAZ II (4,00km)         16:23

Prizing Ceremony – New Promenade (Villa Carlos Paz) – 5:30 pm