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First Two Stages of Rally Argentina Concluded

The first two stages of the Rally Argentina were held in Cordoba crowning Marcus Gronholm as the fastest. The 2.2-kilometer course in Cordoba`s Chateau Carreras Stadium saw pairs of competitors going head to head, with each duo making two successive passages through the stage, in front of an enormous crowd and a live television audience.

Petter Solberg, who had been fastest in today`s shakedown, was quickest at the first attempt, but Gronholm`s second run was marginally better, giving the Finn a slight overall lead when the action commences in earnest on Friday morning. Behind Gronholm and Solberg, Mikko Hirvonen shares an early third place with championship leader Sebastien Loeb, despite wiping the rear bumper from his Ford Focus. The rally will return to the spectacular venue for its finale on Sunday afternoon.

Leading positions after SS2: Pos Driver Make Time are Gronholm Ford 4:52.8, P Solberg Subaru + 1.8, Hirvonen Ford + 2, Loeb Citroen + 2.4, Galli Peugeot + 3.7,Stohl Peugeot + 5.2,Atkinson Subaru + 5.5, H Solberg Peugeot + 6.5, Sordo Citroen + 7.9, MacHale Ford + 11.7.