Ford’s participation in the event, which runs from September 28-30, one week prior to the back-to-back asphalt events in Spain and France in early October, follows on from Gronholm’s victory on the Galway International Rally back in February.
The other big story concerned
Petter Solberg and speculation he might leave
Subaru for
Citroen, something which has been dismissed by SWRT managing director, Richard Taylor.
“As far as we are concerned it is [rubbish] - and as far as the conversation I had with Petter a few days ago, he thought it was too,” Taylor told
Crash.net Radio. “I think we can put that to one side to be honest.
“It is the time of year when all of those kinds of discussions tend to happen anyway and inevitably with the relative performance we have had, I am sure people would be asking that question.
"But as far as we are concerned there is no truth in it what-so-ever.”
Pressed on if ‘Hollywood' does have a get out clause though if the car doesn't come up to stretch – something it clearly hasn't done for a while, as the team haven't won since 2005, Taylor added that both parties remain very committed to each other.
“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. Both parties are completely committed to honouring the contract through to the end of 2009,” he summed-up.
TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH RICHARD TAYLOR PRE-RALLY NZ: CLICK HERE
News from the Manufacturers' teams:
Citroen Total WRT:
[
Sebastien Loeb, car #1 and
Daniel Sordo, car #2]
Loeb at a disadvantage?
Sebastien Loeb has that while missing last year's Rally New Zealand will obviously be a bit of handicap for him this coming weekend, it shouldn't be too big an issue.
The Frenchman missed the final four events in the
FIA World Rally Championship last year after breaking his arm in a mountain bike accident, prior to the Rally of Turkey.
