Sergio Vallejo, works driver of FIAT AUTO SPAIN, finished in a brilliant second position of the general classification at Mediterraneo Rally, first event of the Spanish Rally Championship. This result confirms that Vallejo brothers have a great potential to become Spanish Champions at the end of the season.
Days before the rally, Vallejo told that this season will be very special, because "the fight for the podium places is more open than ever and every driving error will imply losing a great number of positions" he also noted that "podium places will not be know before the last stage will be run and ... what a stage... with more than 40 kilometers long...". He said that "everything was ready for the show" and he wasn't wrong, looking at how the Mediterraneo Rally was disputed.
In one of the most open rallies of the last seasons, the FIAT driver was climbing positions in the scratch classification, in a titanic fight that let him finish in the second position of the rally at the end in La Vila Joiosa city. Just before the last stage, Sergio Vallejo was fourth, a place that doesn't satisfied his aspirations, so he decided to assume all the risks and drive in maximum attack in the very long stage of Relleu-Alcoi (46,02 km.). The strategy was correct, Vallejo made the best time, with more than 20 seconds over the second classified, a result that was worth the second place in the rally.
After the podium ceremony, Sergio and Diego were very satisfied with the result and, between the congratulations of the many spectators that watched the last stage of the rally, said that "just before the rally, we know that the last stage was going to be the key of the rally, we were sure that we must take all the risks there... and the result is here". He also said that "there is no time for celebrations, we are now thinking in the next rally of the Championship... we must work very hard to be in the first places in all the rallies and I'm sure that with the effort of all the Team we can achieve it".
Next rally in Spanish Championship is the Rallye de Canarias, to be held at Canary Islands a rally also counting for the European Rally Championship.

Spanish Rally Championship 2003

Provisional Classification

1. Daniel Sola. Citroen Saxo S1600. 15 points
2. Sergio Vallejo. Fiat Punto S1600. 12 points
3. Miguel Fuster. Citroen Saxo KitCar. 10 points
4. Enrique G. Ojeda. Peugeot 206 S1600. 8 points
5. Joan Vinyes. Peugeot 206 S1600. 6 points
6. Alberto Hevia. Renault Clio S1600. 5 points
7. Eloy Entrecanales. Fiat Punto S1600. 4 points
8. Xavier Pons. Mitsubishi Evo VII. 3 points.
9. Daniel Sordo. Mitsubishi Evo VI. 2 points.
10. Sergio L. Fombona. Citroen Saxo KitCar. 1 point.

PSPM Press Services 2003

Vallejo at Mediterraneo