The WRC then headed to Guanajuato for the second round of the championship. The first two rounds of the championship couldnt have been more different. From the snow and freezing temperatures in Sweden to the fast rock-strewn stages of Mexico,where high temperatures and altitudes provide the main challenge.
Rally Mexico saw Sebastien Loeb back on the top step of the podium as he took his first win of the season.
Rally Mexico also saw Sebastiens team mate Ogier buckle under the pressure of his charging team-mate and crashing out on the final leg. Although you might say that is why Loeb and Elena took the win you must remember that they also fought back from a 50second penalty incurred when they were late starting stage 15 following a gearbox problem.
The win was the first for the new Citroen DS3.
Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen finished second in their Ford Fiesta RS WRC with team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila third.
One man on course for his first podium position of the 2011 season was Petter Solberg, but unfortunately it wasnt meant to be as he suffered an electrical fault to stop his Citroen DS3 WRC in its tracks on stage six.
But never one to give up, Petter fought his way up from 13th to 4th place gaining valuable points including 1 extra for third fastest on the powerstage. Rally Mexico was also the first rally in which Petter and his team were registered for manufacturers points so the team picked up their first 12 points.
Their were electrical problems for American Ken Block which saw him pick up a 10minute penalty for missing the guanajuato night stage thursday evening. He managed a 12th place finish.
The Citroen WRT proved that although they didnt have a good start to the season, they had a car that was capable of fighting the fiesta.
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