Crash.net:
Not sure if you can answer this, but does Petter have a get out clause if the performance of the car doesn't meet his expectations?
RT:
Not effectively no - but we would never discuss the details of contracts, although there is nothing in it, I would say, that would suggest there is any opt out on any side and both parties are completely committed to honouring the contract through to the end of 2009.
Crash.net:
Subaru started fielding a third car from Finland. How much of a benefit is it to have three-cars on every event?
RT:
I think it is good. We obviously knew quite a bit in advance that we were going to do that and we had plenty of time to plan it. In fact we ran three cars on five events last year as well and so really it is no problem at all for us to do it. It helps lift the morale of the team too because gives us three chances of getting in the points on every event.
Crash.net:
Despite all the problems, have you been pleased with the performances of Petter and Chris and Xavier [Pons], although it is of course early days for him still?
RT:
Absolutely, Petter is clearly one of the best rally drivers in the world and there is no doubt about that.
Chris is progressing up that way rapidly and his performances on the last couple of events have really been exceptional. Fourth place in Finland was a super result for him and while Germany could have been better in terms of end result, the pace was excellent and obviously the three fastest stage times on tarmac there were great for the team.
As for Xavier, as you say, it is early days yet, but he has had a good sixth place points' scoring position in Finland already, which I think was his best result ever on that event and he was going well in Germany too [before he had engine problems on the final day - ed]. We are very pleased with all of them.
Crash.net:
There are only six events left now – can Subaru turn things around? Is there still time?
RT:
Yes, definitely. I believe there is time. We have got three tarmac events coming up and we clearly showed in Germany the sort of pace we have got there and so those will be interesting. NZ, Japan and GB have been events that historically have been good events for us. We are confident that the car is well on the way to being right now and on all the remaining events we have got a good chance to show decent performance.
Crash.net:
Have you got any specific targets for NZ and the rest of the year?
