WRC's mid-season break

So what are the teams doing during the mid-season break? While the world is celebrating World Cup in Germany, in August, the Germans are yet preparing for the start of the second half of the season which kicks off with Rally Deutschland

Subaru's break

After a rough first half of the 2006 FIA World Rally Championship season, the Subaru World Rally Team's drivers are planning on using the mid-season break for relaxation, testing, and other motorsport opportunity.

Petter Solberg spent the days after the BP Ultimate Acropolis Rally coasting the Mediterranean on a private yacht with members of his family - including his competitor and older brother Henning Solberg - while visiting some of the Mediterranean's most beautiful locale. Solberg will test the Subaru Impreza WRC2006 this week in Wales and will also undertake a development test in Spain 2-5 July.

Chris Atkinson will spend part of the break contesting the Nurburg 24-hour on 17-18 June. Atkinson will use the opportunity to gain valuable tarmac experience as well as to stay fresh during the hiatus.

Stephane Sarrazin will undertake the Le Mans this weekend- one of the most prestigious and historic racing events in the world - and will also conduct tyre development testing with Pirelli later in the break. In July, Sarrazin will conduct testing for the next rally - Germany - with his Impreza WRC 2006.

Loeb and Sarrazin in Le Mans

The reigning world champion Sebastien Loeb and the Subaru World Rally Team's tarmac ace Stephane Sarrazin will both compete in the 24 hours of Le Mans (17-18 June). Both Frenchman are staying busy during the mid-season break with testing and development, but both drivers have found time to compete in the historic and monumental race. Loeb will be partnered with Eric Hélary and Franck Montagny for the contest while Sarrazin will join Pedro Lamy and Stephane Ortelli in an Aston Martin DBR9.

Sarrazin will fly to Italy after Le Mans for a four day test session with Pirelli. The Frenchman will also test again in July as the Subaru field prepares for the OMV ADAC Rallye Deutschland.

Loeb, on the other hand, plans to continue to develop the Citroen C4 during the break, as well as work with the Kronos Total Citroen World Rally Team to test the Xsara for the second half of the season.

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