Mexican driver Benito Guerra says he is in better shape than ever ahead of this season’s Production Car World Rally Championship.
The 26-year-old starts his PWRC campaign on this week’s Rally Guanajuato Mexico, having switched to the title-winning Ralliart Italia team during the winter break.
Guerra said: “My main sponsor Mitsubishi Mexico was very happy that we work with Ralliart Italia. They are a great team who have made a great car for us. The team trusts that we can be in the points and fighting all the way. That’s what we aim to do.”
Guerra, who finished sixth overall in last year’s PWRC standings, admitted he has never worked so hard physically ahead of a season.
“Since January 10,” he added, “I have been in the gym for three hours every day, working on an extreme work-out. I feel like I’m in great shape for the season ahead. I had a goal weight and I’ve made it to that. You know, it’s going to be a long weekend and really hot in the car, but we’re ready for it.”
Guerra added that he expected the 54-kilometre Guanajuatito test on Sunday morning would take its toll on his Lancer Evolution X.
“The car will be driving quite different in the final few kilometres than it was at the start of the stage,” he said. “It will be tough to control the tyres and the brakes, there will be so much heat in all of the components, it’s going to be really hard for them.”