New Zealand gravel rush excites Ford’s Finnish drivers
BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team will tackle the longest round of the FIA World Rally Championship for almost six years when it makes the arduous journey from
Not that Ford drivers Mikko Hirvonen and
The event returns to
The roads in the Land of the Long White Cloud are as smooth as a billiard table and wind through lush, green countryside, inviting drivers to attack. The scenery is as stunning as the roads, and the picture postcard views over the Tasman Sea from the classic
Hirvonen, who climbed to second in the drivers’ standings after his podium finish in
"I’m excited to be going back there again," he enthused. "It’s a great country and we always receive a warm welcome in
"Every rally has something unique and here it’s the cambered roads. They encourage a driver to attack, but they can also catch you out. When the car crosses the camber it often jumps. If you are on the wrong side of the camber when you brake for a corner, you can find yourself in trouble because the car will just slide.
"It’s autumn in
Latvala, who is fourth in the drivers’ standings, has started Rally New
"I’ve only driven the roads north of
"The character of the stages reminds me of my home event in
Team News
*
* Three other Focus RS WRCs are entered. Henning Solberg / Ilka Minor and Matthew Wilson / Scott Martin are nominated by the Stobart M-Sport Ford team in Focus RS WRCs, while Federico Villagra / Jorge Perez Companc will drive for the Munchi’s Ford squad in a similar car. The rally is the fourth round of the S-WRC support championship and four Ford Fiesta S2000 cars are entered.
* Despite the delays encountered by team members and cars returning to
Rally Route
The move back to
For more information: Contact
RALLY
ROUND 5 FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
6 – 9 May 2010
Thursday 6 May: Ceremonial start
Start
Friday 7 May: Day 1
Start
SS1 Waipu Gorge 11.09km 09.03
SS2 Brooks 1 13.60km 09.26
SS3 Bull 1 32.56km 10.19
SS4 Cassidy 1 22.20km 11.02
RSZ A Whangarei (15 mins) 12.50
SS5
SS6 Brooks 2 13.60km 14.11
SS7 Bull 2 32.56km 14.59
SS8 Cassidy 2 22.20km 15.42
SS9 SSS
Serv B Auckland (45 mins) 19.08
Finish
Total 159.18km
Saturday 8 May: Day 2
Start
Serv C Auckland (15 mins) 06.10
SS10 New
SS11 Baker 1 21.42km 08.33
SS12 Te
SS13
RSZ D
SS14 New
SS15 Baker 2 21.42km 13.39
SS16 Te
SS17 Hampton Downs 2 4.68km 15.59
Serv E Auckland (45 mins) 17.13
Finish
Total 155.62km
Sunday 9 May: Day 3
Start Auckland 06.00
Serv F Auckland (15 mins) 06.10
SS18 Te Hutewai 1 11.18km 08.38
SS19
RSZ G Raglan (15 mins) 10.20
SS20 Te Hutewai 1 11.18km 10.51
SS21
Serv H Auckland (10 mins) 14.20
Finish
Total 81.70km
Rally total 396.50km