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They're off !
publication date: Oct 22, 2009
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Competitors on the Rally of Great Britain crossed the
ceremonial start line in Cardiff this evening before heading off
tomorrow morning to tackle 6 stages in Mid Wales.
And as he prepare to fight for his first World Rally title Finn
Mikko Hirvonen was in no doubt what tactics he would be employing.
“Flat out from the start, that’s the only way we can go” said the Ford
Focus driver who holds just a single point lead over reigning champion
Seb Loeb.
That will be a high risk strategy, however. The pre-event shakedown in
Margam Park on Thursday morning confirmed that the heavy rains have
made the forest stages treacherously slippery. Nevertheless, Citroen
driver Loeb is planning to take the same approach as the Finn despite
cautioning, “It will be very tricky. Going flat out for 350km will not
be very easy without making any mistakes”
Only Hirvonen or Loeb can now take the title but there are a number of
other drivers looking to spoil the party and claim victory on the three
day event. One of those is Petter Solberg who is keen to make an
impression as he seeks funding for a full onslaught in 2010 on the
World title which he previously won in 2003, clinching it with victory
on this event. To the delight of team manager Ken Rees from Cardiff ,
Petter and Powys based co-driver Phil Mills were quickest on the
shakedown stage in their Citroen C4. Despite that, however the
Norwegian predicted “tough rallying” in the days ahead.
With the location of the rally in future years still in doubt, the
pre-event press conference saw the drivers questioned on their views on
Wales as a venue and the possibility of a move. All the drivers
questioned were positive about Wales but added that they wouldn’t
necessarily object to a change of location. Stobart Ford driver Matthew
Wilson summed it up, saying “ Wales has always done a very good job but
it would be interesting to try somewhere different.”
While the drivers are hard at work in the forests there will be plenty
to keep visitors to the Cardiff Bay service area amused throughout the
event. Among a whole range of attractions, two of Britain ’s top stunt
pilots will be showing off their skills on Saturday afternoon as the
Red Bull Matador Flying Display team take to the sky.
There could be a touch of magic in the air on Sunday as well, when
Harry Potter star Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley in the films,
visits the Service Park . With free admission for visitors, Andrew Coe,
chief executive of event organiser, International Motor Sports Ltd
explained “This year’s Rally GB Service Park is set to provide
incredible access to all the action of the rally, as well as one of the
best line-ups of entertainment we’ve ever been able to offer, all for
no cost to fans,”. | © Image Gary Jones
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