Drivers: Armindo Araújo (Mitsubishi) and Mark Tapper (Mitsubishi).



Press conference.


Q:
You now lead the PWRC after the news that Nasser Al Attiyah has been disqualified from Greece. That's under appeal but it puts you into the lead of the PWRC. You weren't supposed to be in Australia, but you are here under a new entry.

Armindo Araújo:
Yes, it's good I'm here. After Greece, Nasser was excluded. Of course, we are awaiting the appeal but at the moment we are in front in the Championship by six points. Since the beginning of the year our target was coming to Australia, because it's a new event and it's good for me. But some months ago, more or less our sponsor decided to support our rally here in Australia and it's possible to come. We are here in a good position to take points here and it will be my sixth event. I am very confident; of course I want to win the Championship. I will do my best.

Q:
You want to win the Championship but you don't know now, I suppose, whether you will win the Championship until we hear that appeal with Nasser.

AA:
Okay, we need to wait for the decision. Now my job at the moment is finishing in first place here.

Q:
What have you thought of the stages, all 35 of them? It's the most we've had at an event this year.

AA:
I think it will be a sprint rally, the stages are very fast in the second and third days. In the first day they are more tight and narrow. But I think during the Monday shakedown test we did very good work. I am very confident.

Q:
What do you think is going to be the biggest challenge out there this weekend? You say it's going to be a sprint, we've got drivers saying it's very much like New Zealand; in places very fast then some days it's very slow.

AA:
I think it will be fast the whole weekend but in places you have to be very careful because it is very easy to make a small mistake and one small mistake makes problems. My target is to find a good speed and don't commit any kind of mistakes.

Q:
Mark, it's been a busy year for you, competing in the PWRC and Pirelli Star Driver programme. What have you thought of your year in 2009?

Mark Tapper:
It's certainly been a thrilling year. There have been certain frustrations along the way but it's been a once in a lifetime opportunity and I've really enjoyed every minute of it.

Q:
There have been some ups and downs and you have been injured as well. That shoulder injury and wrist have been quite nasty. You've driven with it though, fully repaired or not?

MT: