“I like the RAC rally like everybody. It’s true it’s not an easy rally and especially when it takes place in November, where water and mud are the rally’s highlights. But there’s something special in this event’s route,” he added. “Maybe the fact it’s a traditional and classic round of the championship gives it a special thing and makes it’s different from another one. I think its comeback to being the season’s last event is a good idea. Even if the weather conditions will be more difficult, I feel really pleased to tackle the ‘real’ Wales Rally GB which should be very different from the September version.”
BP Ford WRT:
[Marcus Gronholm, car #3 and
Mikko Hirvonen, car #4.]
Marcus Gronholm has predicted that his team-mate, Mikko Hirvonen will be on of his biggest challengers for the victory on the Rally GB. Marcus added though that he is looking forward to it, especially as neither of them will be under any real pressure, with the manufacturers’ championship having been secured for the ‘Blue Oval’ on the last event in New Zealand.
"I'm looking forward to a good battle and I'm sure that Mikko will be one of my biggest challengers,” confirmed Gronholm. “He has increased his pace as the season has progressed. I know that he wants to try to prove himself in Britain so it should be good fun."
As for the event itself, while Gronholm has lots of experience in Britain and has competed on the event nine times, he has only won it once, a testimony to just how difficult it is.
The 38-year-old is not looking forward to the prospect of driving in fog, with little to no visibility: "It can be an extremely difficult rally," warned the two-time world champion. "When the conditions are OK then the stages are fine but when it is wet, foggy, muddy and icy – sometimes all together – then the roads can be really hazardous. Fog is something that we don't encounter on many rallies during the season, but you can guarantee that with the rally back at the end of the season, at some point we will have fog - and that's horrible.”
