Rally Japan : Skoda Motorsport - Leg 2Škoda Motorsport World Rally Team driver Armin Schwarz completed a solid second leg of Rally Japan, maintaining his overnight in 12th place over the day`s 12 stages.
Having retired from the event after rolling on yesterday`s seventh stage, Mikko Hirvonen and co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen visited the service park. Jarmo went to Obihiro hospital this morning where X-rays suggested that he had not sustained serious injuries despite being in some discomfort but doctors will monitor him over the next few days when he returns to Finland.
Armin Schwarz
“My pace notes have been better today and the car has been fine. Unfortunately the roads have become very deeply rutted, especially on the stages that have now been used four times, and you can do nothing but follow the tracks.”
Mikko Hirvonen
“I feel very sorry for what happened yesterday. If I`d taken the harder compound tyre that Michelin had suggested then I`d still be in the rally and fighting for championship points. I`m always very self- critical of my own performance so I hope I`ll get another chance to drive the Fabia WRC 05 and redeem myself. We saw early on what it can do and I`m sure it is not so far away from a good result.”
Tomorrow`s final leg features five stages (totalling 85.94kms) including a third run at the Satsunai superspecial before the finish podium in the service park at 1500 (0900 CET).
Tags:
skoda,
fabia,
armin,
schwarz,
japan,
