The 1997 season looked promising despite certain mechanical limitations, above all with respect to the engine�s power.� Nevertheless, two second positions in the Montecarlo and Sweden Rallies, did not seem a bad start to a season that was going to be longer than very few others.

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Luck was partly with the team in the form of a positive early start, which was unfortunately followed by two successive withdrawals in the Safari and Portugal rallies, plus a bad classification in the Spain-Catalu�a Rally, dampening everyone�s spirits

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Mid season marked a turnaround of events with a second place in Corsica and the first victory of the season in Greece, results which enabled them to maintain their chances for the World Championship, both from the point of view of the Drivers and Manufacturer.

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Chances which faded with the withdrawal from the Finland Rally, but which were recovered with the triumph in Indonesia, to reach the end of the season, the penultimate race of the year in Australia, with a very high morale.

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Unfortunately, once more they were at the mercy of the car�s mechanical whims, when everything pointed towards Repsol, Carlos Sainz and Ford competing in the World Championship in a last and passionate challenge in the RAC Rally in England.� The Australian withdrawal destroyed any hope of Repsol�s extensive presence in rallies, road races, since 1967, being seen for the first time in the form of the �R� in Repesa on a racing car with the winners� laurel wreath.

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In any case, Repsol was the great company, the great lubricant greasing the engine of the car driven by a twice World Champion like Carlos Sainz.� Never before had rallies achieved so much in Spain.