Before Corona Rally Mexico 2006
Kronos Racing`s Team Principal Marc Van Dalen is looking forward to the first gravel rally of the season with the 2006 Xsara WRC. A race that should give valuable information for the other gravel events of 2006.
After Monaco`s opening round and the Swedish rally being all very new, how are you feeling just before Kronos Racing travels to Mexico?
“First of all, I`m happy because this will increase the team`s overall experience. I also admit that I am impatient, but I think we all are! The Mexican event is the season`s first rally on gravel, and the first of the 2006 Xsara on that surface. Even if this round remains very specific – especially with high altitudes – we will learn a lot from it. It will give us a precise idea of what could happen for the rest of the season, and some information to look towards the other gravel events of the calendar.”

Even if this rally is, like Sweden, a first visit for your team, you seem a bit more ‘relaxed` before the start…
“Just a ‘bit` more relaxed actually! Maybe it`s because we`ve already been to Argentina last year, and that event shows some similarity with the Mexican one. Maybe also because we feel more confident after our clean run in Sweden. The very low temperatures in Hagfors and the difficult working conditions haven`t affected the team`s level of performance. I know that in León`s covered service park, working conditions are far easier. On the sporting side, we will of course benefit from Citroën Sport`s experience. Kronos Racing is once more targeting a mistake-free event to allow our three crews to concentrate on their race.”

How do you imagine this third ‘set` between Marcus Grönholm and Sébastien Loeb will go?
“Nothing really says it will be just another duel. I would be very surprised if Petter Solberg, who will benefit a priori from an advantageous road position, doesn`t come and join the battle. And maybe not only him…Regarding the Marcus/Seb`s match, I think Monte Carlo is more Seb`s terrain and Sweden this of Marcus since he is almost a local there. In Mexico, they compete on a neutral ground. Both also drive with the excellent BF Goodrich tyres. With a performing Xsara as usual, the fight should be thrilling... I also expect Xevi Pons to have a clean run with good points scoring for the Manufacturers championship. For Dani Sordo, the apprenticeship continues but like Xevi it will be in much favourable conditions.”

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