WRC drivers look forward to Repco Rally New Zealand

With sunshine across the Waikato, the world's best rally drivers have had their first taste of local roads as they prepare for Repco Rally New Zealand.

Shakedown, which ran on Thursday morning at Mystery Creek Events Centre outside Hamilton, is the first official session in which the World Rally Championship (WRC) drivers pilot their rally cars on a stage, offering an important opportunity for final testing and adjustments.

As defending world champion Sébastien Loeb said, shakedown is not like other stages. "It's about making sure everything is working right on the car," said the 34-year-old four-time champion who scored his 43rd WRC win two weeks ago in Germany to retake the lead in the 2008 FIA World Rally Championship.

As the championship points' leader Loeb will be first on the road tomorrow. He commented that if it's not raining - as per the current weather forecast - it will be nearly dry in the stages. "In this condition, there's a lot of gravel. We saw a lot of gravel on ‘recce' (reconnaissance) and we can lose a lot of time with that. We'll see."

Speaking at the pre-event press conference, Subaru's Chris Atkinson said the team needs to start winning. "We've been pushing all year. With Colin McRae scoring the first Subaru victory in Rally New Zealand 15 years ago, it is a big thing for the team. We want to win and if we did it this time, I'm sure there would be a big party."

Running under the Munchi's Ford banner this time, Henning Solberg, older brother to Subaru's Petter Solberg, is aiming for a top three or four placing. "For me, I don't love this rally. I struggle with the pace notes and have rolled two times. This year I threw the pace notes away and started with new notes. This will be a tactical rally and I want to see if I can go faster."

Matthew Wilson, nominated for manufacturer points in the Stobart VK M-Sport Ford entry, says the New Zealand roads are very enjoyable to drive. "The camber helps you to carry the speed. Saturday's stages are really quick. I've enjoyed the event from the first time I did it."

While the times achieved during 3.08 km shakedown stage don't register in official results, François Duval - who's stepped into the Stobart Ford vacated by regular Ford driver Gigi Galli after breaking a leg during a crash in German - had a time of 2:26.0. BP Ford driver Jari-Matti Latvala was next fastest with a time of 2:26.4 with team-mate Mikko Hirvonen third fastest with a time 2:26.7. Loeb's time was 2:27.3.

Following Thursday evening's ceremonial start, the competitors commence Friday's competitive stages of the event in Pirongia, on the edge of Kawhia Harbour and head through the Waitomo and Otorohanga districts. On Saturday the teams rally through Raglan and Franklin, with competitors in the Possum Bourne Memorial Rally following the WRC, Production WRC and other New Zealand and international entrants through the day's six stages. The final day's action takes in stages south of Raglan, including the iconic Whaanga Coast stage before concluding at Hamilton's Mystery Creek Event Centre on Sunday afternoon.

More details and results can be found on the event website www.rallynz.org.nz.