24.01.2004 ALESSANDRO BROCCOLI MOVES UP THE JUNIOR LEADERBOARD ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE MONTE CARLO RALLY

After the second leg of Rally Monte Carlo, the opening round of the Junior World Rally Championship 2004, the number of Junior drivers is less than half the number that left the start line on Friday morning, while the remaining Fiat drivers are now fully conversant with the rule that says Rallye Monte Carlo is really an event you cannot make any forecasts, as anything can happen at any moment.

The second day of the Monte Carlo Rally was once again dry, with little ice and snow. The weather was overcast, with temperatures hovering around two degrees centigrade. The opening special stage of the rally, the longest of the whole event at 34.41 kilometres, was cancelled after an accident blocked the road, and all competitors were given a notional time.

The remaining action consisted of five special stages, including two runs over the notorious Col de Bleine. But the accident on the opening stage and spectator problems on the penultimate test meant that the drivers were only able to complete three stages today. The crews returned to service at the harbourside in Monaco after each loop.

Alessandro Broccoli adopted a conservative drive in the foggy special stages of the morning and the iced track of the Col de Bleine stage, which let him climb up the leaderboard of the Junior provisional classification, partially due to the retirement of several of the most experienced Junior drivers, such Kosti Katamajaki and Per-Gunnar Andersson.

During the second leg, Luca Tabaton, at the wheel of the Grifone Avvenire's Punto, was forced to retire due to a mechanical failure, while Xavier Pons, Broccoli's team mate at the Hi-tec team, went off road with his Fiat Punto Super1600.

The final leg of the rally gets underway tomorrow at 0730 in Monaco, with four complex stages that will decide the outcome of the Junior World Rally Championship's most prestigious event. The route includes two runs over the Col de Turini: the best-known stage of the Monte Carlo Rally. The winner will cross the finish ramp and spray the champagne at 1430, back in Monaco.

by Marco Tenuti ( www.puntopower.com )