WRC Mexico : Shakedown
The 2006 edition of Rally Mexico will get underway tomorrow with the first leg of the race but this morning the drivers got the opportunity to fine-tune their cars during the shakedown, the final test before the actual race.
The 6.8 km shakedown course – based in part on the 2005 Alfaro-Establo stage - is considered to be rougher than most of the rally`s timed events but it is still a good indication of the conditions for the race, especially to adapt to the loss of power created by the high altitude.

The dry, warm and sunny weather conditions were nearly perfect and at the end of the session, Petter Solberg finished at the top of the time sheets. Here are the comments of some of the drivers after the shakedown:

Sebastien Loeb (Xsara WRC)
“I really like Rally Mexico and I feel quite confident although it was difficult to see how it will be during the rally because shakedown was quite different to the stages.”

Xavier Pons (Xsara WRC)
“It`s my third time in Mexico – once with a Group N and then with a Peugeot 206 – but it may be slightly different this year because the stages seem to be drier than ever.”

Marcus Gronholm (Focus WRC)
“Because of the altitude it means you need to drive the car a bit differently. It`s almost about taking more speed into the corners… almost… This car is good – I am really happy.”

Mikko Hirvonen (Focus WRC)
“At this altitude, the power of the engine we have here is reduced by about 20% and it will be reduced by more in the mountains. It means you have to drive with more care to not lose time… like going sideways.”

Petter Solberg (Impreza WRC)
“OK, shakedown was a bit rough at the end but was representative in the beginning. It was OK for me because at this time, I was the fastest. The first three stages will be important and the plan is to try and gain a big advantage there because the of the running order.”

Chris Atkinson (Impreza WRC)
“My first gravel rally was in Mexico last year and I learned then that it is very important to try to miss the many rocks on the stages. In the mountains, we have about 30% less power which means you don`t drive so aggressively. Last year, the engine was equipped with water injection, but this is not allowed by the regulations this year. However, so many improvements have been made to the engine that I don`t think the response feels any different.”

Manfred Stohl (307 WRC)
“Although I came to Mexico two years ago, I find the stages this year quite difficult because it`s hard to find a good set-up compromise between the fast and slow sections.”

Henning Solberg (307 WRC)
“Having won Rally Norway helps me because this rally will be the fourth time I have run the 307 and I have a good knowledge of how it works.”

Matthew Wilson (Focus WRC)
“It feels better now I have experienced the big loss of power due to altitude. Otherwise, no problem during recce and the stages seem quite interesting.”

Luis Perez-Companc (Focus WRC)
“I came to Mexico in 2004 but retired at the end of the first day. Some stages are similar to Argentina, so I am quite confident. The fact that I have been nominated to score points for the team will not affect my attitude.”

Dani Sordo (Xsara WRC)
“Shakedown seemed a big rough but I was told it would be smoother on the rally stages, which suits me quite well. My first aim is to be at the finish and treat this year as a learning experience.”

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