"I like the fast roads in Spain - they are like a race circuit in places. The most difficult aspect for me is the dirt that is pulled onto the roads during the first pass," continued the double world champion.
“It's slippery during the second run and, if they are not cleaned, also on those stages that are run in both directions because the dirt is then on parts of the road that you do not expect. That's where the work of the safety crews is important in driving the stages and alerting us to the awkward parts.”
Mikko Hirvonen meanwhile, who finished fifth on the Cork International Rally last weekend, as part of his and Ford’s preparations for the inaugural Rally Ireland next month, has set his sights on battling for the victory.
He has fond memories of the Rally de Espana and while he was only ninth last year, his third place finish in 2005, his first ever WRC podium result, helped land him the works drive with the M-Sport-run outfit.
“That was one of the big results that really started things moving in my career,” explained the Finn. “It proved I had the required speed on asphalt as well as loose surfaces. It's the fastest asphalt event in the championship and of all the four sealed surface rallies in the series this is the one where I can be the most competitive. I would like to fight for a win here.”
STOP PRESS: CRASH.NET RADIO RECENTLY SPOKE TO MARCUS GRONHOLM PRE-RALLY CATALUNYA. TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL: CLICK HERE
OMV Kronos Citroen WRT:
[Manfred Stohl, car #5 and
Francois Duval, car #6]
Back to a two-car effort.
Francois Duval will be aiming for another top result on the Rally Catalunya as he bids to emulate what he did in Germany back in August.
Duval put in a sensational performance on the Rallye Deutschland and even led the event at the end of day 1. Although he slipped back on the second leg he put in a charge on the final day and overhauled Marcus Gronholm in the final test to snatch the runners-up spot.
