WRC A FULL 2014

HIRVONEN BATTLES AT THE TOP

12 September 2014

M-Sport World Rally Team’s Mikko Hirvonen is battling for the top positions at Rally Australia with just 7.9 seconds separating the leading five drivers going into tomorrow’s penultimate day.

Tackling eight stages in the vicinity of Coffs Harbour, the crews first travelled south for two loops of three technically challenging stages through the region’s award-winning forests before heading back to base for two passes of the spectator-friendly super special.

Having always performed well behind the wheel of a Ford down under, it was business as usual for Hirvonen and co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen. The pairing found a good rhythm early on and continued in that same vein throughout the day – regularly posting top-three times.

Feeling at one with the tricky nature of the stages, the Finn is well and truly in the fight for the podium – the number five Ford Fiesta RS WRC just a handful of seconds adrift of the lead in fifth place overall.

There was a less steady transition back to gravel for Elfyn Evans and co-driver Daniel Barritt. Having never contested Rally Australia, the Welshman was determined to gain the experience that will prove vital to his future success and wasn’t going to let a lack of confidence through the opening speed tests impede his future ambitions.
Having stalled his Fiesta RS WRC on the first pass of Bellingen (SS2), the youngster lost confidence as well as time. Regrouping for the afternoon, he increased his pace but remains resolute on improving both his position and his performance as the event continues.

Mikko Hirvonen (5th) said:

“It’s really close between the top five at the moment, and that’s great! It’s been a good day for us and we’re right in the battle. Everything has been working well and I’m really happy with the car.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t do anything to keep Sebastian [Ogier] and Jari-Matti [Latvala] behind us, but they’re not so far ahead and hopefully we can have another good day and continue to fight for the podium positions tomorrow.”

Elfyn Evans (9th) said:

“This afternoon started much better, but we got stuck in this morning’s rhythm again for the last long one [SS6]. We’re feeling okay at the start of every stage, but we’re just lacking the rhythm as it goes on.

“I think the character of tomorrow’s stages will suit us better. Today was very technical and narrow amongst the trees, but tomorrow is a lot wider and more open. It’s so hard to take confidence from stages like this when you’re experiencing them for the first time. I find myself braking far too early and then that knocks you out of sync for the rest of the stage.

“Yes, it’s a little frustrating at the moment, but we’re doing what we came here to do. We’re staying out of trouble, gaining the experience, and hopefully we can improve and regain some confidence tomorrow.”

Team Principal, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said:

“It’s great to have been in the battle for the lead today. Mikko [Hirvonen] has put in a really strong performance and there remains all to play for as he chases down the top positions tomorrow.

“It’s fair to say that Elfyn [Evans] has found it fairly challenging, but he’s here to learn and he’s done a solid job on his first encounter with these difficult stages. Although he might have been frustrated at times, he’s gaining the experience that will be so valuable to him in the future.”

KUBICA TAMES ANOTHER NEW CHALLENGE

RK M-Sport World Rally Team’s Robert Kubica tamed the forests of New South Wales today and currently holds eighth position going into Rally Australia’s penultimate day.

As the crews embarked on the first full day of competition, eight stages lay in wait – two loops of three technically challenging tests to the south of Coffs Harbour and two runs through the 1.56 kilometre super special adjacent to the service park.

After a week of Tarmac rallying last time out in Germany, Robert had to reaffirm the art of gravel rallying – the character of the stages and the way in which his Ford Fiesta RS WRC handled through the loose-surface terrain.

Mission accomplished, the Pole put in a highly respectable performance on his return to gravel. Today’s speed tests were amongst the most challenging of the weekend – far removed from his more accustomed circuit-like asphalt – and the Formula One race winner rose to the challenge admirably.
Having suffering a spin through the first pass of Hydes Creek (SS1), the Pole regrouped and displayed a marked improvement in pace as he became more familiar with the forest roads.

Despite having to contend with the steering of his Fiesta being slightly out of line, Robert was able to improve his times significantly throughout the afternoon.

Happy with his driving on the loose-surface stages, the Pole climbed the leader board and will be keen to make further gains as the event continues.

Robert Kubica (8th) said:

“We had an issue with the steering this afternoon. For the tricky, narrower sections it is not so much of a problem, but for the fast corners where you have to be very precise it has been a bit distracting. My mind tells me that I’m applying enough steering, but in reality it’s not enough. It’s frustrating, but maybe I’m too sensitive to these things as I come from circuit racing.

“Other than that I think it has been a good day for us. We’ve had no moments and no mistakes and I’ve been happy with my driving on these difficult stages.”

Team Principal, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said:

“It’s good to see another solid performance from Robert [Kubica] on gravel. He’s had a clean run with no mistakes and has been driving well which gives him a good platform to build on tomorrow.”

DRIVER STATISTICS
AFTER DAY ONE OF RALLY AUSTRALIA
RESULTS AFTER SS8

Anna Rudd
Media M-Sport WRT
https://www.m-sport.co.uk/

Admin and Translation:

Pablo MACHI
Media & Comunication TGS Worldwide
https://www.facebook.com/TGS-Worldwide
https://www.tonigardemeister.com/
https://www.gpower.fi/
https://www.tgs.fi/
Media Toni Gardemeister Driving Academy
http://www.facebook.com/ToniGardemeisterDrivingAcademy
Rally Report Magazine Argentina
https://www.facebook.com/MalocRacingComunication
www.facebook.com/RallyReportMagazine
www.facebook.com/RallyReportMagazineArgentina
www.facebook.com/RallyReportWRC
https://www.RallyReportWRC.com/
https:/www.rallyreportnewsworld.com