“Germany is a good rally – but it is one that demands utmost respect. Everyone will remember my accident in 2004: that just shows how unforgiving the rally is with hinkelsteins lining sections of the route,” ‘Hollywood’ warned ahead of the start on Friday.
Stobart M-Sport Ford Rally team:
[
Jari-Matti Latvala, car #9,
Henning Solberg, car #10 4 [and
Matthew Wilson, car #16 - not nominated for points]]
Latvala to head Stobart trio? - Henning hits 50.
Jari-Matti Latvala will have extra responsibility on the Rallye Deutschland this week, as he is the most experienced of the trio of Stobart Ford drivers’ on asphalt.
Indeed while Jari has done the Rallye Deutschland four times to date, Henning Solberg will be discovering it for the very first time this weekend, while Matthew Wilson, who will as normal drive the third car and who will not be nominated for manufacturers’ points, will be taking in the event for only the second time in his career.
Last year, although Latvala went off on the first stage after making what he described as a ‘stupid mistake’, he re-started on day two under the SupeRally and set some impressive times, particularly on the final day in his Ford Focus RS WRC, when he was fifth and sixth fastest in the final two tests.
He also enjoyed a good test in Spain during the recent summer break and is confident he can get a solid result, even if the weather is a worry as it makes things something of a lottery on the Trier-based event.
“Germany is one of the most difficult rallies in the championship and not because of the roads but because of the weather. The area of the rally is known for big showers and rain storms and when the roads are wet they can be so tricky,” he stated in the countdown to the tenth round in the championship.
“This is because often the mud gets washed onto the roads, especially around the vineyards, which makes them extremely slippery.
“For me it is difficult because it makes it hard to judge how fast you can push when conditions are like this.
“I really like these stages however and when it is dry it is really fast and fun to drive. The set-up we used at the test was surprisingly good and it will certainly help the confidence knowing we have a decent set-up heading into the event.”
