"Well, we'll try again in Mexico!" he added. "We'll try very hard to get some points by finishing on the podium, but winning is the goal. I hope everything will be in good shape - the car, the tyres and me. We've got a good starting position and I hope we can go well on all three days. The team is very confident and we had a good test in Sardinia. There's so much more to come from us."
Manufacturer 2.
OMV Peugeot Norway WRT:
[Manfred Stohl, car #7 and
Henning Solberg, car #8].
The OMV Peugeot Norway WRT lies third in the manufacturers' rankings after the opening two events of the season, having already scored ten points and their goal this weekend is to defend that position.
Prior to leaving for Mexico, OMV carried out a string of gravel tests close to Bozian Racing's headquarters in Lyon, with Manfred Stohl particularly happy with the way the 307 handled.
"It was exceptional," he enthused, "We've really got a grip on the Peugeot now - and we are much further on than we were at this point last year. I'm sure that Bozian Racing has prepared the Peugeot 307 WRC perfectly, and we will be able to compete with the best. My two fastest stage best times in Monte Carlo have given me confidence, and I want to compete right at the top."
Henning Solberg meanwhile is on a high buoyed by his recent success on the WRC candidate event - Rally Norway. He is confident that he can add to the single championship point already gained this year.
"We already had a pretty good grip on the car in Sweden, and then we won Rally Norway, where we gained further experience," he explained, "I'm really looking forward to this rally, despite having never yet competed in Mexico, as gravel is among my favourite surfaces. Everything is highly professional here. I can focus solely on driving, which makes each kilometre almost count double. The Peugeot performs admirably on gravel, which will be a great advantage in Mexico."
Stobart VK Ford:
[
Matthew Wilson, car #9 and
Luis Perez Companc, car #10]
Stobart VK driver, Matthew Wilson faces yet another new challenge this weekend, however a small test prior to the event alongside former works Ford driver Roman Kresta has given him a boost.
