Round three of the 2010 Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC), "Rally Argentina" was held from March 19th to 21st around the city of Villa Carlos Paz.

The Rally Argentina, one of the historical events in the World Rally Championship (WRC) is a challenging rally featuring soft gravel and changeable weather. This year's event also hosted as a round of the IRC set total 240.02km of 15 stages including the traditional La Cumbre stage etc. The weather around Villa Carlos Paz was unstable and the organizers were forced to delay the recce due to heavy fog and the opening Super SS, held on tarmac, also saw wet conditions. The Day 1 condition was dry even though some damp patches remaining from overnight rain. The weather improved thereafter on Day 2 stages.

In this running of Rally Argentina, 12 Subaru runners entered and 7 completed the event. One of the strongest local contenders, Gabriel Pozzo drove the Subaru Impreza WRX STI built by local preparation specialist Barattero. He showed considerable speed, matching the S2000 machinery despite having a problem with his car's differential. Pozzo finished the day in 6th overall, only 13.4 seconds behind current Argentine rally champion Federico Villagra (Ford Fiesta S2000). On the following Day 2, while Villagra was struggled with poor engine performance, Pozzo pushed hard and caught his compatriot on the fourth stage of the day (SS12), rising to 5th overall.

After Kris Meeke who was running 4th in a Peugeot 207 S2000 withdrew due to suspension problems, Pozzo took over the position to 4th place when he finished. The Argentine Pozzo who was in 4th place behind three S2000 machines was the highest finisher in a Group N car and took IRC points for both himself and Subaru, bringing its first IRC manufacturer points.
Pozzo was awarded the Subaru IRC Challenge as a highest Subaru finisher. He also won 2 Argentine championship consecutive opening rounds which were held alongside the IRC event. The overall winner of the rally was a Finnish driver Juho Hanninen (Skoda Fabia S2000). 

"It has been a really good rally, and a good fight for the whole event with Federico (Villagra). I am very happy for me with this result but also for my team. It's really great."

The next IRC round venue will move to Spain, Europe which is named the "Rally Islas Canarias" (tarmac) from April 29th to May 1st.

Last update: 26-03-2010 00:00