"I enjoyed the 2005 Finland rally. Not only because I won there in the Junior WRC but also because I like driving at high speed. In Germany, we used the same pace-notes as we had with our C2 Super 1600. I hope last year’s Finland ones can also be used," he continued. "That said I am expecting a very difficult rally because of the specific terrain and also because of the competition from the local drivers’. As I did in the first part of the season, my target is to improve my times on the second passage in a stage when I feel more confident. Of course, I will also try to score as many points as I can for the manufacturers’ championship."
BP Ford:
[Marcus Gronholm, car #3 and
Mikko Hirvonen, car #4.]
Marcus Gronholm is convinced that he can win his home event. Gronholm had to settle for third in Germany, but while his chief championship rival, Loeb was the favourite there, this weekend it will be the other way round. Gronholm, who lies second in the drivers’ championship, is the acknowledge master of the Rally Finland. This will be his 18th start and to date he has won it five times in the last six seasons. His target then is clear: to increase that tally to six.
"I don't really need to tell anyone that Finland is one of my favourite rallies, I think everyone knows that," he said in the build-up to the event. "Rallying is so huge in my country and Rally Finland is such a massive event that nothing can take away the enjoyment of winning here. I will never get fed up with that. I want to experience that again and after a good test last month I think the Ford Focus can win."
