WORLD : South Swedish Rally - Home victory for Radstrom - 29 May 2003 - 14:35
Thomas Radstrom won the South Swedish Rally at the wheel of a Toyota Corolla WRC. The event was part of the Swedish Rally championship and the European championship as well (coefficient 5). Leader with a 40-second lead in the first leg, Radstrom managed his lead over Jari Saarinen, Thomas Schie and Mats Thorszelius during the second day.
It became easier for Radstrom, his main rivals facing problems throughout the second leg. Jari Saarinen, at the wheel of his Ford, faced gearbox problems in the first stage of the second leg and had to retire. Then Oscar Svedlund had similar problems and had to retire also. Thomas Schie was not any more lucky, going off the road is stage 13, causing his retirement.
In the end, Thomas Radstrom won in front of another Toyota driver, Mats Thorszelius. Andreas Eriksson, at the wheel of a Ford, got the third place. Tomasz Kuchar, who got three fastest stage times, ended his day in fourth position.
Justin Dale took part in the event mostly to prepare himself for his upcoming World Rally Championship participation with a Hyundai, finished in seventh place after getting two fastest stage times in the second leg.
In group N, Patric Carlsson won at the wheel of a Mitsubishi.
South Swedish Rally
1 Radstrom-Skallman, Toyota 1h52'01"1
2 Thorszelius-Thorszelius, Toyota +21"3
3 Eriksson-Svensson, Ford +36"2
4 Kuchar-Szczepaniak, Ford +36"8
5 Johansson-Carlsson, Toyota +1'06"0
6 Jonsson- Johansson, Ford +1'11"4
7 Dale-Bargery, Hyundai +1'44"5
8 Carlsson-Fredriksson, Mitsubishi +2'47"2
9 Walfridson-Backman, Mitsubishi +2'50"5
10 Horbing-Olsson, Toyota +3'12"4
Hugo GIGUERE
CAPSIS International