Before Rally Japan
Sebastien Loeb only needs six points to win the 2005 drivers` championship. The Frenchman will try to clinch his second consecutive title in Japan.
What do you remember of the 2004 Rally Japan?
"I remember the stages being fast. The surface is a little like Rally GB… although, I am tempted to add, drier. Having said that, this year`s Rally GB was in fact quite dry. Another difference is that the Japanese stages are globally narrower than those in the Welsh forests, and we don`t have a clear line of sight because of the tall grass that grows either side of the road. This caused problems for some crews with their pacenotes, at least that`s what I understand from the different conversations we have had between ourselves. Cutting corners can be a bit risky too since the tall grass can conceal a ditch… or something hard. Just two passes during recce isn`t enough to be 100% sure. That said, this problem will hopefully only affect us on Day 1. After that, if all goes well, there will be other competitors running ahead of us on the road."
How suited was your Xsara to the Japanese stages last year and what sort of car does this rally call for?
"We went quite well last year. We won six stages and we were on the pace fighting for victory until the Saturday morning. We had expected the stages of the first loop of Day 2 to be drier and we chose our tyres accordingly. However, they turned out to be a little too hard for the greasy conditions we actually found. After that, we changed tactics. I remember though that my Xsara was precise, which is crucial on narrow stages with little visibility, and that traction was good. There is no reason why the car shouldn`t be just as competitive this year. It has even improved. And Michelin`s Z BTO tyres haven`t let us down yet. They have represented a step forward whatever the terrain."
How will you approach the rally?
"My priority will be the championship. Rally Japan is not one of the events I want to win the most. That said, I won`t surprise anybody if I say that I will start at a pace at which I feel comfortable. In Wales, I felt extremely confident with the car. I obviously took some risks but I don`t believe they were unconsidered risks. If I feel just as confident in Obihiro, and if my natural pace enables me to challenge for victory, then I will go for it. If I see that keeping up with the leader – or leaders – means that I have to take excessive risks, then I will concentrate on the championship and try to wrap it up in Japan. It will be nice to be able to go to Corsica with a free mind. The Tour of Corsica is one of the rallies I really do want to win!"


Tags: japan, sebastien-loeb, daniel-elena, citroen, xsara,