"This year about 40 per cent of the stages are different from 2007. The roads are so smooth it's like driving on asphalt - only the brown colour tells you they are not. I won last year by only pushing at 50 per cent and that's the pace at which I will start this year. If I feel good after the first couple of stages, then I will try to push harder.
"This is my first rally on Pirelli's new gravel tyre so I will need some time to learn about it."
Subaru WRT:
[
Petter Solberg, car #5 and
Chris Atkinson, car #6]
Petter hoping to make most of recce run in ‘07.
Petter Solberg will be hoping for a change of luck on the Jordan Rally after bad luck robbed him of good results on the last two rounds.
Petter began the season solidly with a fifth place finish in Monte Carlo and a fourth place finish in Sweden. Since then though the Norwegian has failed to get any more points with a driveshaft problem costing him in Mexico and an electrical failure depriving him of a certain runners-up place on the final day in Argentina.
Despite the disappointment though, 'Hollywood' will have an ace up his sleeve in Jordan. Indeed unlike most of his rivals, he did the reconnaissance for the Jordan candidate event in 2007 and that could give him a slight edge.
"I did the recce in Jordan last year and I was very happy to have the chance to look at the roads," said Petter.
"It will be a new event for everyone so we are doing all we can now, using the notes from the recce to prepare as best we can and try and be in the best shape for the rally.
"It may be possible to do the rally well with new pace notes and no experience of the roads, but I’m just trying to do things 110 per cent, and if the recce gives us even a slight advantage, it was worth it.
"It’s a brand new event but we have the same mentality and approach to it as any other event, as we continue in the way that works best for us. The unseen roads are quite tricky, and there are a lot of crests.
"It’s quite wide, but it’s a little difficult to read the road surface and know just how much to push."
Chris Atkinson meanwhile is in a different situation and while he hasn’t got any experience of the stages, he does have good momentum on his side, having taken three podiums from four so far this season, including two second places in Argentina and Mexico.
The Aussie is eager to maintain that run this time out ahead of a flurry of European event in Sardinia, Greece and Turkey.
