Starters34 of the original 39 crews restarted Leg three.
RouteThe final Leg comprised just three stages and 60.42 competitive kilometres but included the longest stage of the rally, Leon, at 37.99km. The route took in two stages in the mountains to the east of the host city, plus one final blast through the Superspecial.
WeatherAir temperature ranged from 15°C to 24°C just before midday. No rain fell.
RetirementsNo leading retirements.
Yesterday afternoon Petter Solberg kick-started his campaign for the 2006 drivers’ title by finishing second on Rally Mexico and collecting his first championship points of the season. Solberg blazed through the final three stages of the rally and set the fastest time on the penultimate test, clearly demonstrating the rally winning potential of the new Subaru Impreza WRC2006. Chris Atkinson secured a double points finish for the team. The Australian started the Leg in tenth position, moved up three places in the first stage and maintained the position until the finish.
SS15: 0828 Leon (37.99km)
After a 10 minute service, Leg three started with the longest stage of the rally at nearly 38km. Many crews reported massively reduced visibility as dust kicked up by the first cars hung in the still mountain air. To allow the dust to settle, Henning Solberg, running sixth on the road, started one minute late. Many crews reported overheating brakes especially on a long, steep downhill section near the midpoint. Matthew Wilson, who had restarted under Superally regulations following his Leg two retirement, reported a misfire just before the start and reduced power in the uphill section. He finished 1min 15secs slower than stage winner, Sebastien Loeb. Petter Solberg held position in second overall while his team-mate Chris Atkinson moved up three places into seventh. Marcus Gronholm moved up to ninth, 21secs off eighth.
Fastest Time: Loeb (Citroen) 25:32.1
SS16: 1011 Silao (18.01km)
The Silao stage, south east of host city Leon, started on a gently undulating rocky surface and took crews through open scenery to the town of La Estancia. The route used part of SS10 and was lined with deep roadside drainage channels. Petter Solberg scored the stage win, 0.3secs faster than Gronholm. Rally leader Loeb was third fastest but his lead was reduced by just one second. Dani Sordo was fourth fastest to consolidate his fourth overall position, ahead of a resurgent Hirvonen who had restarted after an accident on Leg two. Chris Atkinson recorded the sixth fastest time, but reported inconsistent steering through the final part of the stage.
Fastest Time: Solberg (Subaru) 10:20.8
SS17: 1126 Nextel Superspecial (4.42km)
The 2006 Rally Mexico concluded with the third and final run through the Superspecial on the outskirts of host city Leon. Crowds of spectators were thrilled as cars powered through the watersplash and over jumps. Manfred Stohl won the stage to clinch third overall, while Petter Solberg was second fastest to secure second overall and his first points of the season. Loeb set the joint third fastest time to secure his first win of the year. Dani Sordo, Henning Solberg and Gareth Machale rounded off the top six while Chris Atkinson held onto seventh position. Marcus Gronholm picked up the final point in eighth.
Fastest Time: Stohl (Peugeot) 3:17.0
