Friday wrap: Solberg battles illness to lead in Japan

Petter Solberg has not won a round of the world championship since Rally GB in 2005 but all that could be about to change after the Norwegian completed the opening day of Rally Japan with a lead of almost 10 seconds in his privately-run Citroen C4 WRC.

While that might not represent a huge advantage, Solberg has battled a fever throughout the day, which he admits has masked some of his pace.

“It has not been easy at all today,” said Solberg. “I am feeling a lot better than I was but it’s very strange when you don’t feel okay and don’t have the energy you need. Now I need a good night’s sleep to sweat out the last bit [of fever]. The car is working very well and we have had a good pace and a good performance today so I am happy. I know there is more to come from me.”

Mikko Hirvonen completed the opening loop of three stages today in fourth overall but an upturn in pace in the afternoon has enabled the factory Ford Focus driver to leap to second, 9.4s behind Solberg, courtesy of two stage wins.

“It’s worked really for us today,” said Finn Hirvonen. “I didn’t want to go too fast too early so I’ve been building up my speed slowly and it’s starting to be pretty good. We have to see what we can do tomorrow. I didn’t change anything at midday service, I just went for it because the others were doing that too.”

Sebastien Ogier is third on his first Rally Japan. He is also the leading works Citroen driver after team-mate and title leader Sebastien Loeb lost significant ground cleaning the road of the loose surface gravel on Friday morning.

Ogier, who held the overnight lead after going quickest on both of Thursday evening’s superspecial stages, said: “To be racing to be in the lead is very good for my first visit to Japan. The road has been very bad this afternoon so it has not been easy. For this reason I am very happy. The car has been perfect but we made some changes to the set-up to adapt it for the rougher stages in the afternoon.”

Loeb, meanwhile, suffered a broken front damper to add to the delay he suffered running first on the road. His road position remained a hindrance for the afternoon tests due to the ruts that had formed following the first pass of the three gravel stages.

Jari-Matti Latvala, who is fourth in the second works Focus, reported making two small mistakes on stage seven. “I just got confused with my notes on a few occasions and ended up braking too early,” he said after completing day one 15.4s off the overall lead.

Dani Sordo completes the top five in his Citroen Junior Team C4 but was left to bemoan a gearbox glitch that struck during the afternoon.

Henning Solberg is seventh with Stobart M-Sport team-mate Matthew Wilson completing the top eight. Federico Villagra is ninth in his Focus, 16.6s clear of ex-Formula One world champion Kimi Räikkönen, who spent the day adapting to the challenging gravel roads around host city Sapporo.


Source: WRC

Kimi Räikkönen Press Conference at Neste Oil Rally Finland 2010

Source: WRC

Hirvonen fastest at Finland Shakedown

Finn Mikko Hirvonen got his quest for a second victory on his home rally off to a perfect start earlier today by setting the fastest time at the pre-event shakedown for Neste Oil Rally Finland.
The four hour test - a prelude to this weekend's rally - took place on a 4.46km gravel road in Muurame, 10km from the Jyvasykla Servce Park. The stage is a new choice for Shakedown and replaces Laajavuori, which will be used as part of this year’s competitive route. Conditions were dry, sunny and humid throughout the test, with the temperature peaking at a sweltering 34 degrees Celsius.

"The car feels great" said Mikko after completing his third run in a session-winning time of 2m 02.2s. "At our pre-event test we tried so many things, but I didn’t have enough time to get confident with the set-up we’re going to use. Now I feel ready.”

“The shakedown road is definitely better than the one we’ve used for the last four years. It’s really nice, fast and there are big jumps - so a really good stage. Can I win again? Well, let’s just say I think we have a chance to fight for it,” added the Ford Focus RS WRC driver.

Citroen C4 WRC driver Sebastien Loeb and Hirvonen’s team-mate Jari-Matt Latvala were joint closest to the wining time, both stopping the clock just one-tenth off.

Sebastien Ogier and Dani Sordo were fourth and fifth fastest respectively.

After his podium finish on the most recent rally in Bulgaria, Petter Solberg ended the session with the sixth-fastest time - eight-tenths off Hirvonen’s - and brimming with confidence. “I didn’t change anything and we were fastest on the early runs, I’m really happy, no problems at all”, he said. “We did a proper test, we did absolutely the right things and I feel I’m back fighting with the best in the world. I feel this more since Bulgaria. We will be on the top on every rally from here!”

Here are the Shakedown times of the leading WRC drivers:

1. HIRVONEN. Ford Focus RS WRC 09. 2:02.2

=2. LATVALA. Ford Focus RS WRC 09. 2:02.3

=2. LOEB. Citroen C4 WRC. 2:02.3

4. OGIER. Citroen C4 WRC. 2:02.4

5. SORDO. Citroen C4 WRC. 2:02.6

6. P. SOLBERG. Citroen C4 WRC. 2:03.0

7. WILSON. Ford Focus RS WRC 08. 2:04.0

8. H. SOLBERG. Ford Focus RS WRC 08. 2:04.6

=9. OSTBERG. Subaru Impreza WRC06. 2:05.2

=9. RAIKKONEN. Citroen C4 WRC. 2:05.2

10. Al QASSIMI. Ford Focus RS WRC 08. 2:06.6

11. KANKKUNEN. Ford Focus RS WRC 08. 2:08.4

Source: WRC

SS1 Estadio Algarve 1: Hirvonen takes the early lead in Portugal

Mikko Hirvonen moved into an early lead of the 2010 Vodafone Rally de Portugal after setting the fastest time on Thursday evening’s Algarve Stadium Superspecial.

The Ford Focus RS WRC driver completed the 2km head-to-head test in 2min 9.3sec, winning his heat with Sebastien Loeb and completing the stage one-tenth of a second quicker than Munchi’s team driver Federico Villagra who was his closest rival.

Sweeping hairpin bends, tight and tricky corners and a table-top jump made the test a challenge for the 62 starters, as well as dazzling viewing for both the fans and TV viewers across the country who watched the action live on television.

Thousands crammed into the football stadium to watch the night time stage, and most were on their feet as Hirvonen crossed the line, a Portuguese flag trailing from his car.

"It’s a great way to start the rally!" said Hirvonen. "Okay, it’s only a short stage but it’s always really nice to win - and a big pleasure to beat Sebastien! Tomorrow is when the real action starts, though.”

The first section of the rally continues on Friday when drivers leave Faro from 0810hrs to tackle six gravel stages in the hills north of the town.

Stage Times:

Source: WRC

Vodafone Rally de Portugal – Porto Road Show

A success! This is how first edition of Port Road Show can be defined, an event to promote the Vodafone Rally of Portugal that Automóvel Club de Portugal and the Porto City Council, through the municipal company Porto Lazer, appropriately organized in the majestic scenario of Aliados Avenue, in front of an enormous crowd, suitable only for big events

The hot weather also contributed to a nice ambiance to promote the World Rally Championship (WRC), with 13 of the most representative international rally drivers showing all their skills and ability to drive in front of a crowd that never ceased to encourage them. Moreover, the drivers were the first to feel the contagious festive atmosphere.

Sébastien Loeb, the reigning World Champion and official works Citroën driver, said: "It was fantastic to drive with this atmosphere, in a beautiful Porto square, with a enthusiastic audience, always pulling for us. It was above all a great fun and the organization challenge was totally fulfilled."

Mikko Hirvonen, Ford's works driver, said: "It was a great pleasure to drive in front of such a crowd in a unique atmosphere, very motivating for those who are behind the wheel, and a very important day of promotion for the rallies in front of an audience that never stopped to motivate us. For all this, it was worth coming to Porto."

As it was just a demonstration, in which the show rose above any competitive purpose and the times were not important, and the only ranking possible to do was led by Spanish Dani Sordo, with his Citroen.

In the end, Mayor of Porto, Rui Rio, was particularly happy: "It was a huge success in a very hot day. And remember that we only had five days after the Pope's visit to promote the event, but it was possible to have a huge crowd, to demonstrate the strength and popularity of this sport."

Source: RallyBuzz

Hirvonen challenges Räikkönen to race in Helsinki

Mikko Hirvonen and other rally drivers will relax in August in a motor race held in Helsinki's Kalasatama.

There will be a real gathering of champions on the first weekend of August in Helsinki's Kalasatama. Of the WRC top drivers in addition to Ford's Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala also Petter and Henning Solberg and Sebastien Ogier have promised to participate, and so has MotoGP driver Mika Kallio.

Former world champions and other pentioners will be represented by Tommi Mäkinen, Markko Märtin, Juha Kankkunen, Timo Salonen and Markku Alen.

”We're supposed to be driving similar vehicles that were used in China in the race of champions, that is open rear-engine circuit cars, buggys and Legends cars”, Hirvonen, who is one of the organizers, tells STT.

The event, which takes place a week after the WRC rally in Jyväskylä, will climax on a final driven on Sunday. Sebastien Loeb, who leads the championship, is too busy to take part in the event but Kimi Räikkönen's participation is possible.

”An invitation has been sent but we still haven't got a reply”, says Hirvonen.

Hirvonen was in Helsinki on Wednesday to present the event and he will immediately head to New Zealand where the fifth WRC rally of the season will be driven in a week.

Hirvonen is third in the WRC series, 41 points behind the leader Loeb.

Source: Helsingin Sanomat
Courtesy: Dracena and Moominpappa

WRC Rally of Turkey 2010: Ukraine First Automotive TV channel

Source: YouTube

Loeb, Hirvonen, Räikkönen and others to drive on streets of Porto

This year's Vodafone Rallye de Portugal will see the inclusion of The Porto Roadshow, with the most important cars and drivers entered in the rally participating in the event.

After being appointed the official promoter for the FIA World Rally Championship, North One Sport pledged to support organisers, teams and drivers running events promoting the WRC rallies. And this was an opportunity that the organisers of the Portuguese round of the 2010 championship did not miss.

The Porto Roadshow will be held on the Sunday prior to the rally - May 23rd – amid the stunning scenery of Aliados Avenue. The area surrounding City Hall will be transformed for the day, into a superspecial stage; 950 meters long and with jumps, chicanes, donut areas and drifting, it will set the scene for the following week’s rally perfectly.

The show will start with an autograph session at 2.30pm, then at 3.30pm, practice will start. From 5.00pm and with just one driver on the track, the event itself will begin, with a one-hour live transmission on Portugual’s RTP Channel 1.

Almost twenty drivers and cars will attend the event.

The confirmed names are:
- Sébastien Loeb (Citroen C4 WRC)
- Dani Sordo (Citroen C4 WRC)
- Kimi Räikkönen (Citroen C4 WRC)
- Petter Solberg (Citroen C4 WRC)
- Mikko Hirvonen (Ford Focus WRC)
- Jari-Matti Latvala (Ford Focus WRC)
- Nasser Al-Attiyah (Skoda Fabia S2000)
- Bernardo Sousa (Ford Fiesta S2000)
- Xavi Pons (Ford Fiesta S2000)
- Vitor Pascoal (Peugeot 207 S2000)
- Armindo Araújo (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X)
- Nick Georgiou (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X - Pirelli Star Driver)
- Peter Horsey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X - Pirelli Star Driver)
- Hayden Paddon (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X - Pirelli Star Driver)
- Alex Raschi (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X - Pirelli Star Driver)
- Ott Tänak (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X - Pirelli Star Driver)

Source: RallyBuzz

Kimi will find Jordan tough, warns Hirvonen

Kimi Raikkonen must brace himself for a tough Jordan Rally initiation this week, according to factory Ford driver Mikko Hirvonen.

Hirvonen says the Middle East event is the hardest on the world championship calendar for making effective pacenotes due to the variety of flat and undulating stages held on large expanses of featureless terrain.

“When I first did this rally two years ago it was definitely the most hardest for making pacenotes because the speed and character of the roads keeps changing,” said Hirvonen. “Even though there are a few changes [to the stages] this year it will be a lot easier doing the recce because I know what to expect and I’m confident we can improve our notes.”

Raikkonen, who drives a Red Bull-backed Citroen C4 WRC, is embarking on his fourth world championship event in Jordan on the back of a high-speed roll on Rally Mexico earlier this month.

He said: “On an event as specialised as this one it’s vital to cover all the stages because I’m still lacking kilometres in rally conditions.”

Source: Max Rally

RALLY ROADSHOW'S SPECATCULAR JORDAN ARRIVAL

Road train of trucks transporst rally traffic north

Amman, Jordan: The astonishing sight of dozens of rally vehicles brought parts of Jordan to a standstill after the World Rally Championship roadshow finally arrived in Jordan today (Saturday).

Following its long journey from Italy to the Red Sea port city of Aqaba, the colourful array of vehicles was unloaded en-masse before being transported to their home for the next seven days on the banks of Jordan’s breathtaking Dead Sea.

To ensure the smooth arrival and to avoid delays, all customs checks will be carried out at the Dead Sea once the vehicles are in place. The road train provided a truly incredible spectacle as it snaked through communities on its 350km journey north.

“The arrival of the boat from Italy has really raised the excitements levels even further here,” said Khaled Zakaria, Jordan Rally clerk of the course. “We can all now look forward to an exciting event starting with the opening ceremony in Jerash on April 1st.”

The world’s top drivers are all set to arrive in Amman tomorrow (Sunday) and will include six-time world champion Sebastien Loeb, 2008 Jordan Rally Champion Mikko Hirvonen, Former F1 Champion Kimi Raikkonen and 2003 world champion Petter Solberg.

It promises to be a mouth-watering three days of furious action which comes to a close with the podium finish inside the Dead Sea Service Park next Saturday afternoon.

The top spectator spots and best places to view the action have all been uploaded onto the official web site at www.jordanrally.com.

Source: JordanRally.com

Kimi, Hirvonen and Latvala interview from MTV3

Source: YouTube - MTV3