30 June 2003 - 12:08 Bruno Thiry is a new leader in European Championship Belgian wins at Ypres Westhoek

Bruno Thiry, Peugeot 206 WRC, won the 39th Belgium Ypres Westhoek Rally for the second successive year and thereby took over the lead in the European Rally Championships. The 200 points moves him up to 760pts, with Miguel Campos, Peugeot 206 WRC, who was third, now on 720 pts. Pieter Tsjoen, who picked up useful points in the Belguim Championships, also moved up to third in the table with 210 Pts. ( The 160 pts. for second place + the 50pts he collected earlier in the season at Boucle de Spa. )

Thiry led the rally from start to finish. He set fastest times on the first three stages and never looked back. At the end of the first day after 6 stages, he had a lead of 15 seconds over Patrick Snijers in a 2002 spec. Subaru Impreza, with Tsjoen 1.6 secs further back and Campos over a minute behind.

On the second day, the expected challenge from Snijers came to nothing as he retired on stage 8 with engine problems, and when Tsjoen punctured and Campos lost 5 minutes after sliding into a ditch, it then became a question of driving tactically and staying out of trouble. This he did and at the end of the second day his lead had increased to 2 min.22.6 over Tsjoen with Campos advancing from 19th to 3rd, but 7min55.4 sec after the leader.

The final day produced no surprises, with all three drivers protecting their positions and avoiding punctures.

Bob Colsoul won Gr.N, with Xavier Bouche 2nd and Oscar Svedlund 3rd, and Larry Cols won the S 1600's.

Press Release, 30.06.2003

Ypres Westhoek Rally - Final Result

1 Thiry-Fortin, Peugeot 206 WRC, 2h51'21"3
2 Tsjoen-Chevaillier, Toyota Corolla WRC, +1'38"7
3 Campos-Magalhaes, Peugeot 206 WRC, +8'08"8
4 Munster-Haghedooren, Subaru Impreza, +12'19"7
5 Cols-Godde, Fiat Punto S1600, +14'13"8
6 De Winkel-Van Hoek, VW Golf GTI, +14'52"1
7 Colsoul-Colsoul, Mitsubishi Lancer, +15'44"0
8 Bouche-Pirotte, Mitsubishi Lancer, +16'38"6
9 Svedlund-Nilsson, Mitsubishi Lancer, +18'26"9
10 Snaet-Declerck, Mitsubishi Lancer, +18'27"4

European Championship - Standing

1 Bruno Thiry - 760 points
2 Miguel Campos - 720 points
3 Paolo Andreucci - 230 points
4 Pieter Tsjoen - 210 points
5 Giandomenico Basso - 186 points