Sweden Rally 2006: Kronos Citroën WRT - Shakedown
Teammates Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena were urging to start this morning. Leaving their breakfast untouched on the table, they got in their Xsara at 7.45, so they take the start of the shakedown in first position. The stage was the same as usual since 2003 located in Rada.
The World Champion set a reference time of 2 min 07,5s and completed a second run in 2 min 04,3 s before heading back to the service park. “The stage is very icy, no problem in particular. The car`s balance is great, the feeling is good," explained Seb`. “Petter drove in 2 min 06 s on his first passage and Marcus in 2 min 06,5 s. It`s tight.”

After some finetuning on the Xsara nr 1, the French team-mates restarted for another two runs (2 min 00,5 s). “The ice layer is disappearing and some gravel is beginning to come out. The track becomes faster and faster,” noticed Seb.

Once the reigning World Champion was happy with his car, he completed one run with Dani Sordo on his right. It was a great opportunity for the young Spaniard who`s shakedown session was only commencing at 10.30. “I remember that in 2002 before discovering driving on snow with a WRC that I went in the car next to Thomas Rådström,” explained Seb. “And that it was a huge help for me at the time. Actually when you have never competed in these conditions, it`s hard to imagine where to put the limits. If someone can show you, you save time.”

For Xevi Pons, who will take the start of his fourth Swedish Rally, there are fewer things to be discovered. But the young Catalan has realised that the speed is much higher in a WRC that it was in a group N. Xevi and his co-driver Carlos Del Barrio completed three loops of two runs each.

“It`s a bit difficult,” admitted the Kronos driver. “The speed has nothing to do with a Group N car. But everything works perfectly and I feel great and confident driving it.”

Back in service, both Seb and Daniel burst into laughter. “I`ve seen how fast Seb drives on snow and I think the best for me is to take the plane and go back home!” But after this joke, the Junior World Champion jumped in his own Xsara, needing to pile up the maximum number of kilometres before the actual start of the event. In total, he completed six runs and was extremely satisfied with his morning.

“The car feels fantastic, summed up Marc Marti. Run after run, Dani sees he could do well, but he will take a cautious start tomorrow…”

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