Sweden : Kronos Citroen WRT - After SS2When the drivers left their hotel early this morning, a quick look at the skies satisfied them as well as the temperatures announcing real winter conditions. Clear sky and -12°C guaranteed stable conditions with ice on the roads. This also pleased the spectators who gathered in the first two stages of the day : Fredriksberg and Lejen.
“The first stage is completely icy and the second one also, but with some sections covered in compacted snow and a place near the lake where the gravel starts to appear.” These were the information given by the BFGoodrich crews at the time the tyre choice was being made.
Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena set the second fastest time on SS1, just 2,8 s behind the first rally leader Marcus Grönholm. After they took a cautious start, team – mates Dani Sordo/Marc Marti and Xevi Pons/Carlos Del Barrio lied respectively in 17th and 20th position. Petter Solberg experienced some problems on his rear driveshaft. The Norwegian driver lost around 50 seconds on that stage.
Before the start of SS2, Seb` and Daniel stopped as scheduled to swap their tyres. It was also the occasion to take off the headlights of the Xsara. In the process, the bonnet hadn`t been clipped correctly and it opened on its own while they were driving on the road section. It damaged the windscreen.
By the time, they could get off the car and re close the bonnet, they arrived one minute late at the time control. They were given a ten second penalty according to the regulations. The consequence of the damaged windscreen was also the lack of visibility for the reigning World Champions.
Once back in Hagfors service, the mechanics replaced both the bonnet and windscreen. Seb` explained: “It`s nice to have this kind of conditions. Marcus is really fast but we were almost in the same pace on that loop, expect in some sunny sections on the second stage where I couldn`t see properly. Sometimes, I didn`t see at all. The second loop will comprises the same two stages. It will be interesting to see what we can do…”
Keeping in mind that driving a WRC for the first time in Sweden, Xevi wasn`t happy with himself and didn`t try to hide it. “The car is perfect but I cannot relax. I can`t find the right feeling, especially on braking. I hope the next group of stages will be a bit easier.”
Dani Sordo was as happy as a kid discovering a new toy at the foot of the Christmas tree ! He explained: “For me Sweden is like Finland without the jumps but with snow. I think that when you can drive 100%, it must be fantastic. It`s not yet my case. I`m very pleased I could go in the car with Seb` at shakedown yesterday. But I don`t want to try to increase the pace yet. I will be satisfied to see that I`m improving.”
Tags:
rally,
