Did you know:
A National status rally exclusively for Land Rovers representing the Armed Forces; Royal Air Force, British Army and Navy. This event will cover all 17 special stages, but running behind the international competitors. The drivers and co-drivers participation is part of the Forces driver training programme and all the vehicles are prepared by the crew, together with their service teams who are all serving members of the armed forces. Despite having 110 horsepower, diesel-powered and weighing 1.6 tonnes, these vehicles are often seen airborne and on two wheels!
Leg: 1
Flash No: 15
Service: D
Team Manager quotes:
Malcolm Wilson
Team manager, BP Ford World Rally Team
“From the team’s point of view we shall carry on tomorrow as we ended tonight. Marcus has accepted his position but to be honest 2nd is no different to 1st at this stage.
“Jari-Matti has been fantastic all day today and if he hadn’t had his problems yesterday for sure he would have been in front of Sebastien (Loeb). Matthew has also coped incredibly well for the Stobart team and has done fantastically well in difficult conditions.
“The team can’t do any more at this stage – there are four very difficult stages ahead of us tomorrow and we are remaining positive.”
Andrew Tinkler
CEO, Stobart Group
“We might not have got third in the series but we have shown our potential to be there. Jari-Matti has shown how much confidence he will carry into 2008 and it underpins our commitment to bring forward new talent. We have a five-year plan with Ford to achieve that.”
Guy Frequelin
Team manager, Citroen Sport
“Today there have been no problems and it has been exactly as we expected. This rally is unique in that there are some very tough surface changes. It has been difficult for Sebastien (Loeb) to not go flat out as that is what he is used to – at the moment he is driving at maybe 80 per cent.
It is more important for him to win the title than the rally and that is what he and the whole of the team are focusing on.”
Michel Nanvan
Team director, Suzuki Sport
“The car has been a bit nervous at the front in the first loop which was down to Sebastian (Lindholm) hitting something on a corner.
We changed part of the suspension at Service which improved the handling and on the second loop it was better. The centre diff has been a problem for us today – apart from that there have been no significant worries.
“It has been an interesting and constructive day and in terms of durability there have been no other problems. The seals are very durable and what is more impressive is that they have never been tested in such rough conditions before.”
Richard Taylor
Managing director, Subaru World Rally Team
“It has been another difficult day for us all. The weather has been better than yesterday and all three cars have run reliably.
“The top ten is looking stable now although there are still over 100kms of special stages left – and some of the hardest in the rally.
“Petter is happier with his car but still unable to demonstrate his pace which is disappointing. We shall push on tomorrow and see what a new day brings.”
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