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Wilson Sr: Mixed surface events no big deal |
BP Ford team director, Malcolm Wilson has said that he is not concerned about changes to the WRC that will allow events to be run on mixed surfaces from 2009.
Speaking prior to this weekend's Rally Japan, Wilson Sr added that while new rallies might take advantage of the new rules and run stages on both gravel and tarmac, he can't see many of the current events opting to do so.
"From a team point of view, it doesn't really make any difference. Hopefully, if it helps raise the profile [of the sport] and makes it easier for the organisers to have a more compact rally, we don't have a problem with it," he explained.
"It's important we run the asphalt first though to limit the damage done to the car - like Sanremo used to. I can't think there are many current events which would do it however; maybe there are some new rallies coming in which would like to do it. [All-in-all] It doesn't make a big difference to the team, except that it does add some extra cost."
Asked about the calendar for 2008, which was also confirmed following the World Motor Sport Council meeting in Paris on Wednesday, Malcolm added that he is happy with the schedule, even if it will include one event less than originally planned.
"Judging by the fact we are going to 12 (rallies) in 2009 and there was a difficulty with Australia, from that point of view, we're happy to accept 15 events,” he continued.
“Australia has been replaced with Mexico, that wasn't on the schedule. There were problems this year (in Mexico), hopefully they will be addressed,” he summed-up.
