The day when… Gilles Panizzi did a 360° in the middle of a rally

Gilles Panizzi was not nicknamed “Tarmac Master” (the master of the asphalt) for no reason. All of his seven victorious rallies in the World Rally Championship (WRC) was carried out on asphalt events : two Tour de Corse (2000 and 2002), three Sanremo (from 2000 to 2002) and finally two rallies of Catalonia (2002 and 2003).

To celebrate the 53rd birthday of the double French champion, a look back at the rally of Catalonia 2002, one of its most overwhelming successes at world level.

Domination Peugeot
First important factor: the Catalonia rally takes place at the heart of a positive dynamic for the Lion. At the time, Catalonia was registered at the start of the season. Apart from Monte-Carlo (which fell to Tommi Mäkinen), Peugeot won the two previous rounds (Sweden for Marcus Grönholm, Corsica for Gilles Panizzi) and presents itself in Spain as the team to beat.

Gilles Panizzi and a youngster, future nine-time world champion… © DPPI

From the first special, Gilles Panizzi took the lead. Navigated by his co-driver and brother Hervé Panizzi, the Frenchman set the best times on all of Friday's specials. “It may look easy, but it's not, indicated in CARhebdo n ° 1334 the official Peugeot driver. I'm "really left footed" to prevent her from taking too much movement. »

The 206 WRC seems to be a machine made for him, but it also suits Richard Burns. The outgoing champion remains threatening with a constant pace. “I distrust Burns, continues Gilles Panizzi. To shave off four short seconds, I have to be at my maximum. »

The Briton adopts a style that is actually too aggressive to beat the French. “In places, I “move the car” more than him. I think I write it a little more frankly. With the Peugeot, on tarmac, this is not necessary, and Gilles' style blends perfectly with the behavior of the 206. explains Richard Burns.

This ease worked wonders throughout the 15 specials (three were canceled due to too many spectators). Leading at the start of the last stage with 44'' ahead of his English colleague, Gilles Panizzi is content to manage his margin.

The last special (Viladrau) will be an opportunity to greet the aficionados in a slip that remains famous! Gilles Panizzi decides to go 360°, while raising his arm towards the public who came in large numbers to this iconic spot of the Catalonia rally of the 2000's. Hervé Panizzi was not warned and gave a cry of surprise (or annoyance, it depends)!

“In this passage, there were a lot of people, on the bridge and around, explained Gilles Panizzi. It was just for fun! » In this case, the Peugeot 206 WRC only lost around ten seconds, but its driver won the hearts of rally fans around the world. It was well worth it!