“We have made some more progress with the handling of the car, and are eliminating problem areas. I hope that we can take another step forward in Spain.
“As a team we know the pace is there on asphalt, so I am hoping for a good result this weekend.”
Subaru World Rally Team managing director Richard Taylor meanwhile was also happy with the results from testing.
He is keen to see all three of his drivers’ - namely Petter,
Chris Atkinson and ‘third’ driver Xavier Pons - finish in the top eight and score points.
“The asphalt test in Spain was encouraging and has allowed us to continue to fine-tune the car and build on the improved pace we saw on the last tarmac event in Germany.
“With a very smooth surface the conditions in Spain suit us well and we hope to take advantage of recent developments to finish with Petter, Chris and Xevi in points-scoring positions,” he confirmed.
STOP PRESS: CRASH.NET RADIO RECENTLY SPOKE TO PETTER SOLBERG’S CO-DRIVER PHIL MILLS PRE-RALLY CATALUNYA. TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL: CLICK HERE
Stobart M-Sport Ford Rally team:
[
Jari-Matti Latvala, car #9,
Henning Solberg, car #10 [and
Matthew Wilson, car #16 - not nominated for manufacturers’ points]]
Latvala to lead way for Stobart squad.
Stobart Ford’s Jari-Matti Latvala has set his sights on getting into the points on the Rally Catalunya.
To date this season the Stobart Ford man has managed to notch up six top eight finishes and with rumours suggesting he could be promoted to the Ford ‘A’ team in 2008, following Marcus Gronholm’s decision to retire, he will be eager to do well and stake his claim for the vacant seat at the
BP Ford World Rally Team.
Speaking ahead of the event, one he has contested three times to date, the Finn revealed that he has been working with a Finnish track expert of late in order to improve his form on the ‘black stuff’.
