Rally New Zealand - after stage 11

This seventh round of the FIA World Rally Championship journeyed north of Auckland for special stages in the Whangarei and Kaipara districts. Three stages covering 67.82km faced competitors in mainly dry and sunny conditions, before a brief 15-minute remote service in Whangarei itself.

 

Solberg opted for Michelin’s soft compound tyres on his Fiesta RS World Rally Car and the cool temperatures suited his selection. The 37-year-old Norwegian won the opening 17.61km Batley special stage and the final test of the loop, the 26.99km Girls High School. He was sixth through the 23.22km Mititai and reached service having climbed from fourth to third.

 

“My tyre choice was good in places and less so in others, but we were fastest over the loop of three stages so it worked,” said Solberg. “I’ve climbed to third and although the two guys in front are a long way ahead, I’ll keep trying. I’m not pushing like crazy, just driving steadily and fast. I still have soft compound tyres left to use so I hope it will rain hard tomorrow and I can put them to good use.”  

 

Latvala started in ninth after yesterday’s time loss. With hard compound tyres fitted to his Fiesta RS WRC, the 27-year-old Finn climbed to eighth through Batley and was then fastest through Mititai. He ended the morning with fourth through Girls High School.

 

“Conditions were surprisingly dry, with just a few damp patches,” said Latvala. “We made a few set-up changes overnight and while they improved the handling, there’s still a little work to do. The repeated stages should be quite clean this afternoon but there will be a lot of loose gravel on the two new tests. My road position won’t be ideal for those, but I’m enjoying driving these roads.”  

 

Drivers now face four more stages, two of which were used this morning, covering 75.19km before returning to Auckland for the overnight halt.

 

1. S Loeb/D Elena                              FRA                 Citroen DS3                2hr 45min 24.5sec

2. M Hirvonen/J Lehtinen                   FIN                  Citroen DS3                2hr 45min 26.2sec

6. T Neuville/N Gilsoul                       BEL                 Citroen DS3                2hr 47min 46.9sec

7. D Sordo/C Del Barrio                     ESP                 Mini John Cooper      2hr 48min 11.1sec

9. A Araujo/M Ramalho                      PRT                 Mini John Cooper      2hr 51min 58.4sec

 

For more information: Contact Mark Wilford or Russell Atkins at the Ford World Rally Team media desk in Auckland Tel: + 64 9 352 2826. Images available at www.worldrallypics.com/ford