Sordo: My spell of bad luck has to end some time.

Citroen number two driver, Daniel Sordo will be out to put his recent run of misfortune behind him in New Zealand this coming weekend, the eleventh round in the 2007 FIA World Rally Championship.

Sordo has had to retire from the last two events in succession due to engine problems and on both occasions it cost him and the team good points, as he was well up the order.

Daniel Sordo (ESP) / Marc Marti (ESP), Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC. Rallye Deutschland, 17-19th August
Daniel Sordo (ESP) / Marc Marti (ESP), Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC. Rallye…
© PHOTO 4

Citroen number two driver, Daniel Sordo will be out to put his recent run of misfortune behind him in New Zealand this coming weekend, the eleventh round in the 2007 FIA World Rally Championship.

Sordo has had to retire from the last two events in succession due to engine problems and on both occasions it cost him and the team good points, as he was well up the order.

"It is never easy to retire when you're battling for a place on the podium [as I was on the Rallye Deutschland - the most recent event]," he reflected.

"I had succeeded in finding a good, safe pace that put us ahead of Marcus Gronholm and just behind Sebastien [Loeb - my team-mate].

"I had an excellent feeling with the Citroen C4 WRC and I probably had a good chance of fighting for a top-three finish, but our weekend came to a halt on SS6.

"That's motor sport, though; you've just got to accept it. I am still confident for the rest of the year, however. Our spell of ill-luck is sure to come to an end some time," he added.

Sordo meanwhile made his debut on the Rally NZ last year and his first impressions of the event and the stages were definitely good.

"I remember New Zealand being very green with some fantastic landscapes. I also recall the stages being challenging and enjoyable," he continued.

"I have fond memories of last year's event but we still face a real challenge this time round. I intend to play it cautiously in order to get more kilometres under my belt and add to my experience here."

Asked what sort of result he will be aiming for in Hamilton, he noted that he would be more than happy with fifth again.

"I clearly don't have the necessary hindsight to fully appreciate all the niceties of this event," he explained. "I don't think it will be easy to match the fastest gravel drivers.

"I don't have the experience necessary to attack freely on this sort of terrain. I will try to aim for a top five finish however, which would be an excellent result for me," he concluded.

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