|
|
WRC Mexico preview: Hirvonen hoping for second win of season
publication date: Mar 4, 2010
Two hundred years after Mexico's native Indians
began their bloody fight for independence against Spanish rule in
Guanajuato, BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team takes up the call to
arms in the mountains near the city for a battle of a different kind
starting today.
The team journeys to North America for
Rally Mexico, the second round of the FIA World Rally Championship,
intent on extending its lead in both the makers' and drivers'
standings. | |  | Victory for Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen and third
for team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila in Sweden earlier
this month means the team heads both championships with the Ford Focus
RS World Rally Car. Hirvonen's win moved Ford level at the top of the
WRC's all-time standings with 74 victories and the 29-year-old Finn
celebrates an anniversary of his own in Mexico – his 100th WRC start.
The
rally, which returns to the series after a year's absence, is a key
part of Guanajuato state's bicentennial celebrations. It is based in
the large city of León in the centre of the country, 400km north-west
of Mexico City. The compact route comprises speed tests in the
mountains to the north and east and most climb above 2000m on hillsides
awash with cacti and water crossings, making this the highest round of
the season. The altitude takes its toll on cars as the thinner air
means engines 'run out of breath' and can lose up to 30 percent of
their usual power.
The road surface is essentially hard-packed
gravel, although some parts are sandier and can become rough during the
second pass. Most special stages are fast and flowing, although there
are slower, more technically demanding sections as well. There are also
tests at two short spectator-friendly venues, one in León city itself,
immediately next to the single service park at the Poliforum. | Hirvonen has four Mexico starts to his name, third in
2007 being his best result. The 29-year-old Finn will be first in the
start order during the opening leg following his Swedish success, but
is happy to carry the role of creating a clear driving line for his
rivals on the gravel tracks.
"Leading the championship can have its
disadvantages, and I now run first on the road for the opening gravel
rally of the season. My rivals have better road positions than me so it
will be difficult, but I'll still try to find a way to challenge for
the win. I'm not underestimating the difficulties, but I wouldn't swap
my win in Sweden for a better start seeding," he said. | |  | | "Sweden was the perfect start to the championship for
both me and the team. It's important that we build on that in Mexico
and continue to take the brave decisions that paid off in the opening
round. The first gravel rally of the season is always an interesting
one because, with the majority of the championship on that surface, it
gives pointers as to how the season may play out," added Hirvonen. | | | | |
Download the Wheels Within Wales toolbar for your quickest way to keep in touch with everything that's happening on Welsh roads and in showrooms or use our RSS feed for the headlines you will not want to miss
|
|
|
.gif){kind=small}