DAY 1 - MONTE CARLO
 The
51 entrants tackled a gruelling 16-hour day,
comprising 196.30km of competition over six speed
tests high in the Alps of southern France. It
accounted for almost half the competitive distance
of the three-day rally, the oldest and most famous
event in the 14-round championship.
Freezing conditions early this morning and late this
evening tested the skills and bravery of the drivers
over the narrow and twisty mountain cols, although
bright sunshine turned the snow and ice into slush
in the middle of the day, making tyre selection
critical.
World champion Marcus Grönholm (Peugeot) started
the 2003 season in the same style in which he
dominated the 2002 campaign.
The Finn powered into the lead on the opening stage
and ended the day 20.6sec ahead, having posted three
fastest times from the six speed tests. His only
fright came on the penultimate stage when he hit a
bridge parapet.
His closest pursuer was Sebastien Loeb (Citroen) who
recorded two quickest times and shared one with new
team-mate Colin McRae, who lies third. The Scot lost
time with a spin on the fourth stage while another
Citroen newcomer, Carlos Sainz, dropped time on the
second stage after spinning into a wall.
Ford Rallye Sport's Markko Märtin delivered an
impressive performance en route to sixth place in
today's opening leg of the Rally. Driving in
treacherous and ever-changing road conditions that
were a mix of snow, slush, ice and wet asphalt,
Ford's new team leader set a fine example to his
young team-mates as all three Focus RS World Rally
Cars completed a daunting opening day of the FIA
World Rally Championship season.
The day was not kind to asphalt king Gilles Panizzi
(Peugeot). He began the first day handicapped by a
one minute penalty after failing to report that his
car's tracking system was not working during the
recce. He then lost time after damaging a wheel on a
snow-covered stone and was unable to recover lost
time.
Both Subaru cars were sidelined on the penultimate
test. Second-placed Petter Solberg hit standing
water and crashed into a bridge and Tommi Mäkinen,
chasing an unprecedented fifth consecutive win, also
crashed after hitting ice.
The only other major retirement was Toni
Gardemeister (Skoda) who stopped in the second stage
with engine problems.
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