Sweden (P) - 9-11 Feb 07

Posted: February 12, 2007 6:21 PM

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Galway to Glaciers – Two in a row for Grönholm
Fresh from a resounding win in last weekend’s Galway International Rally, Marcus Grönholm has taken top honours this weekend in Rally Sweden, the second round of the 2007 World Rally Championships (WRC).

Grönholm and co-driver Timo Rautiainen won their fifth Swedish Rally today as the BP-Ford World Rally Team closed to within a point of the leaders in the FIA World Rally Championship. The Finns dominated this second round of the 16-event series in their Ford Focus RS World Rally Car, winning 11 of the 20 snow and ice-bound speed tests.

Grönholm led the four-day rally in central Sweden from midway through the first leg with five consecutive special stage victories on Saturday and was able to pace himself through today's final leg. His 26th career victory took him to equal second in the all-time standings alongside Spain’s Carlos Sainz.

Reigning World Champion, France’s Sébastien Loeb, (Citroen) retained his championship lead after claiming second while Grönholm’s team-mate and fellow countryman, Mikko Hirvonen, rounded off the podium party in third.

The teams travel to Norway tomorrow for round three of the Championships next weekend, where Rally Norway (15 - 18 February) makes its WRC debut, the first of three new Championship rounds which includes Rally Ireland from 15 – 18 November.

Also making his season debut next weekend will be Donegal driver Shaun Gallagher, who will be contesting the FIA Junior Rally Championships in his Citroen C2R2. Gallagher, who has worked as a rally instructor in Norway for the past four years, is expected to make an impressive showing on familiar ice and snow-covered roads.

Swedish Rally WRC

• 2007 FIA World Rally Championship