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Rally drivers line up for WRC thriller in Wales starting tonight
publication date: Oct 22, 2009
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author/source: Robin Roberts
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After 11 rounds, 219 speed tests and 3774.37km of
competition, Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen's challenge for the FIA
World Rally Championship drivers' title will be decided at the final
event in Wales this week.
The BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team duo start Rally of Great Britain today with a single point advantage in their Focus RS World
Rally Car, as the series readies itself for its most exciting finale
for several years.
The Finns face a head-to-head showdown with season-long rival Sébastien
Loeb. Irrespective of where they finish, whichever driver is the
highest on the leaderboard when the rally returns to Cardiff after
three days of flat-out driving on gravel tracks in mid- and south Wales
will lift the crown.
Team-mates and fellow countrymen Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila
will provide crucial support in another Focus RS WRC and both pairings
have a good record over the Welsh forest roads. Hirvonen won in 2007
while Latvala secured second last season.
All 16 special stages are held on narrow but fast privately-owned
gravel tracks, more commonly used by lorries transporting timber. The
rally is six weeks earlier than last year and a continuation of the dry
and warm autumn in Britain could remove the event's traditionally most
difficult challenge – unpredictable weather.
Tree-lined sections high in the hilly forests contrast with wide-open
stretches and while ice and snow is highly unlikely in October, fog
could be present if the weather worsens. In gloomy conditions it hangs
between the trees, while also throwing a white blanket across exposed
areas on higher ground.
Hirvonen, who has four wins to his credit this season, remains calm
about the challenge ahead. "I feel really excited about the situation
and can't wait for the rally to start, but I don't feel any pressure.
It will be a hard fight and I don't underestimate the job I need to do.
But I have no expectations and because of that I've taken the pressure
off myself and put it to one side," he said.
"Although I've won there before, this rally hasn't always been kind to
me, but I do enjoy the roads in Wales and know them well. They're fast
and flowing, even quicker than my home event in Finland in places.
“If I had to choose a rally on which to fight for the title then
Finland would be my first choice. But Britain would be second on the
list. I love driving there and the roads really suit me. At this time
of year they won't be covered in ice or snow, so they should be
perfect," added 29-year-old Hirvonen. |
Q&A with FIA World Rally Championship leader Mikko Hirvonen
How does it feel to be leading the championship with only one round to go?
It feels great but I have led the championship before. I've just not
led it with only one event to go! I'm trying not to think about until
the rally is over in Cardiff. Hopefully the team will be having a big
party though.
Are you feeling under pressure?
Not at the moment, no. It's just really exciting. I actually have a
chance to win and I'm keeping my feet firmly on the ground. It will be
a hard fight though, I'm not underestimating the job I need to do in
Wales. But I have no expectations at all and that way I've taken the
pressure away, I've put it on the side. We've had a good feeling for
the last six events and I've proved things to myself that I needed to
do. That's also taken some of the pressure away.
At what point this year did you feel you could challenge Loeb and take the title?
I started the season thinking I could do it. Then when we retired from
Argentina and we scored no points, I virtually gave up. It was only
after we won in Greece that I started to hope again. But in Poland
after Loeb went off and we moved into the championship lead, I knew we
were back in the fight. So Poland was the big turning point in my mind.
I always knew it would be difficult though – he's five-times champion!
Has anything changed in your mind since last year?
Nothing has changed. I knew I could challenge him if we had perfect
rallies and with one more year of experience and confidence behind us.
We've driven some really good rallies this season. Even when he was
winning events, we were right behind him in second place. I've
challenged him on so many stages and I knew I could do it.
What have you been doing since Spain two weeks ago?
Immediately after the rally I did a passenger ride event for BP and
Castrol in Spain. I've been spending some time with my family and done
quite a few media interviews and appearances. We've tested in Cumbria
this week to find a good set up for Rally GB and I'm feeling
comfortable with the car. We're driving in the Cambrian Rally as a
course car this weekend. The roads are similar to those we're going to
experience in Rally GB, so good experience after the asphalt in Spain.
I won the Cambrian back in 2002 so I'm looking forward to going back
there.
If you had a choice of any event on which to challenge Loeb, what would it be?
It would have to be Finland. On your home event, you have an added
confidence and knowledge of the roads. Rally GB would be definitely be
second on the list though. It's a fantastic event and I love driving
there. The roads really suit me. They are fast and flowing and at this
time of year they won't be covered in ice or snow, so they should be
perfect.
Are you concerned at all about starting Rally GB first on the road?
No, not at all. It's not the sort of rally where there is a massive
difference between running first, second or third on the road. If it's
really muddy then first on the road is the best place to be and if it's
dry and dusty then first is also best. So I'm happy with starting first.
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Thursday 22 October: Ceremonial start
Start Roald Dahl Plass, Cardiff 19.00
Friday 23 October: Day 1 Cardiff - Cardiff
Start Cardiff 06.00
SS1 Hafren 1 32.14km 09.23
SS2 Sweet Lamb 1 5.13km 10.04
SS3 Myherin 1 27.88km 10.22
RSZ A Builth Wells (15 mins) 12.05
SS4 Hafren 2 32.14km 13.31
SS5 Sweet Lamb 2 5.13km 14.12
SS6 Myherin 2 27.88km 14.30
Serv B Cardiff (45 mins) 18.16
Finish Cardiff 19.01
Total 130.30km
Saturday 24 October: Day 2 Cardiff - Cardiff
Serv C Cardiff (15 mins) 07.10
SS7 Rhondda 1 35.72km 08.35
SS8 Crychan 1 14.99km 10.26
SS9 Halfway 1 18.37km 10.54
Serv D Cardiff (30 mins) 13.18
SS10 Rhondda 2 35.72km 14.58
SS11 Crychan 2 14.99km 16.49
SS12 Halfway 2 18.37km 17.17
Serv E Cardiff (45 mins) 19.33
Finish Cardiff 20.18
Total 138.16km
Sunday 25 October: Day 3 Cardiff - Cardiff
Serv F Cardiff (15 mins) 07.10
SS13 Port Talbot 1 17.41km 08.28
SS14 Rheola 1 22.51km 09.27
SS15 Port Talbot 2 17.41km 10.56
SS16 Rheola 2 22.51km 11.55
Serv G Cardiff (10 mins) 13.53
Finish Roald Dahl Plass, Cardiff 14.35
Total 79.84km
Rally total 348.30km | | |
Racer Alex Jones was a finalist for Anglesey's "Sporting
Champion of the Year", defined as "either an individual or a team that
has excelled in his/her or their community during 2009 and become an
example for others".
Nominated as Sporting Champion for Anglesey, Alex was surprised,
pleased, and very proud to win the "Overall Sporting Champion 2009" for
the whole region of North West Wales.
The award was presented by Bob Champion MBE, legendary Grand National
winning jockey.
Alex has been competing in the MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great
Britain in just his second year of single seater racing. Against stiff
competition from around the world he has consistently qualified in the
top 6/8, achieved pole position at Knockhill and a 3rd place at
Donington Park.
Alex reports: “For 2010 I have the benefit of working with top
driver/management team, Goman Sport, who will be advising and guiding
me on several possible options that will build on my 2009 experiences
and move my career forward. I'm really looking forward to it."
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