With Gigi Galli out for what appears the rest of the season, who will sit in for him on NZ and Japan, Marcus Gronholm?

With Gigi out for a long time after his serious accident in Germany, where he sustained a broken left femur, Malcolm Wilson has to make a quick decision on who will replace him for Rally New Zealand, and then Japan will also need to be considered.

In the frame for the Stobart seat would appear to be several names, some more likely than others. Here is a list of possible candidates:

Marcus Gronholm (Ford's roving ambassador) would be an excellent and obvious choice, with an impressive record in NZ, it is believed that Malcolm has already asked him and he turned down the offer but who knows, he might change his mind.

Francois Duval would probably be the next candidate with his fine third in Germany though Duval initially turned the idea down it is now thought he is reconsidering.

Andreas Mikkelsen would be another choice, Wilson I'm sure wants to keep him in a Ford next year and this would be a perfect teaser, Wilson did try to get him to NZ last year but exams put a stop to that.

Barry Clark could also be in the frame as impressed his bosses on his debut run in Jordan though lack of experience would go against him.

Other less likely candidates, for a variety of resons, would include: Matti Rantanen who was the star in Finland, Alex Bettega, Juha Hanninen, Wilks, Meeke, Kristian Sohlberg and Janne Tuohino.

Vote for who you think the replacement will be in the poll below

 Loading ...

Duval has the seat:

 http://rallybuzz.stagetimes.com/francois-duval-is-gigi-gallis-replacement-rally-new-zealand-2008/

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

• Gigi Galli is recovering well and should be out of hospital on Wednesday
• Stuart Jones is concentrating on the British Rally Championship for the rest of the year in the MG super 2000
• Bernd Casier was one of the stars of Ypres 2008 here is a video of him testing prior to the rally and one of him during it
• Look back at the Rally of Argentina 1985, Vatanen nearly dies, Audi Quattro Sport S1 makes WRC debut and Salonen on course for title
• Anders Grondal looks to be favourite for the second seat in the Adapta SWRT M2 team for 2009 WRC