François Duval returned to the WRC and proved his worth on the tricky Vineyard and Military road stages to take third place in the Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team Focus. Partnered by Patrick Pivato the 28 year old Belgian was fastest on four of the 19 stages.

Mikko Hirvonen, with Jarmo Lehtinen, eventually settled for fourth place in their BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team Ford Focus WRC. They had been running as high as second but took no risks on the final day to hold onto second place in the WRC.

Their team-mates, Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila were classified ninth overall after a time-consuming puncture. Although they were outside the points the 23 year old Finn holds onto fifth place in the Drivers’ Championship.

Norway’s Petter Solberg and Welshman Phil Mills declared themselves pleased with the performance of their new Subaru Impreza, making its debut on sealed surface stages. In a rally-long battle they finished fifth overall, one place ahead of their team-mates Chris Atkinson and Stéphane Prévot.  “I haven’t had any problems, it’s been a long time since we’ve had such a clean rally as this,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed myself and the car is getting better grip and traction all the time. There’s still a long way to go but we’re moving in the right direction”, said Petter. 

His older brother, Henning, claimed seventh after overhauling Estonia’s Urmo Aava.

Of the “Home Nations” England’s Matthew Wilson and Scott Martin in their Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team Focus WRC were 12th, Richard Moore (Ford Fiesta) 54th, Tim Jones 59th, Wales’s Gareth Jones (Subaru Impreza ‘07) was 16th, Ulsterman Kris Meeke (Clio) was 25th and Irishmen Shaun Gallagher (Citroen) 27th and Brian O’Mahoney (Clio) 42nd.  David Senior co-driving Conrad Rautenbach (Citroen C4 WRC) was 13th.
 

For ADAC Rallye Deutschland results and news; http://www.rallye-deutschland.de/

For latest standings in the FIA World Rally Championship, news, video clips, etc; http://www.wrc.com/

WRC Manufacturer Team websites

BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team; http://www.bpfordwrc.com/

Citroën Total World Rally Team; http://www.citroen-wrc.com/

Munchi’s Ford World Rally Team; http://www.munchis.com.ar/

Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team; http://www.stobartmotorsport.com/

Suzuki World Rally Team; http://www.suzukisport.com/wrc

Subaru World Rally Team; http://www.swrt.com/

Other WRC websites;

Pirelli - WRC; http://www.pirellityre.com/web/motorsport/rally/wrc/default.page

For details of Repco Rally New Zealand, the 11th event in the 15-round FIA World Rally Championship visit; http://www.rallynz.org.nz/

Ends.