Gronholm goes to the Rally Finland, with a 9 point lead over
Sebastien Loeb and the Finn is determined to extend the margin.
The signs look good for two-time world champion too, as not only will he have the added advantage of using the new 2007 spec Focus RS WRC car for the very first time, but he is also the acknowledged master on the ‘Rally of the Thousand Lakes’, as it was formerly known, and to date has won it six times – in 2006, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001 and 2000.
Furthermore if he does win in Finland this Sunday, he will re-write the record books, as no driver has ever won a WRC event on seven occasions – not that that is his priority.
“Obviously this is one of my favourite rallies and my most successful,” he stated.
“I'm confident of winning and from the championship view it's important for me to take maximum points in Finland and increase my lead over Sébastien Loeb. Chasing records is good, but the crucial thing here is to beat Seb,” he added.
As for the new car, Gronholm believes it will give him a ‘leg up’ as the 'Blue Oval' looks to beat Citroen: “The new car doesn't look that different to the previous model but the team has worked hard and there are many small improvements,” he explained.
“It has improved everywhere and I'm pleased with our testing. The true test comes in competition, however, but I'm sure I'll see the benefits on the Rally Finland.”
Gronholm’s team-mate,
Mikko Hirvonen is also gunning for home glory, not that he expects it to be easy. Hirvonen achieved a boyhood dream when he stepped onto the podium in his home town of Jyvaskyla last year, after finishing third, and now he is keen to end the event on the top step.
Mikko, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Tuesday, has scored points in every event to date this season, including winning the inaugural Rally Norway and as such, his confidence is high.
“I'm going there to win,” he stated, when asked about his targets, “But so is Marcus and he has already won the rally six times so it's an easy thing to say but it will be much harder to do.”
OMV Kronos Citroen WRT:
[Manfred Stohl, car #5].
OMV Kronos Citroen’s Manfred Stohl believes that he should be a bit closer to the pace on the Rally Finland this coming weekend after a successful one-day test on Monday.
