Dennis Kuipers says it’s vital that he maintains his concentration on day two of Rally Guanajuato Mexico.
The Dutchman is on course for a career-best seventh overall in his FERM Power Tools World Rally Team Fiesta RS WRC following Friday’s 10th stage.
However, the 25-year-old, who has never competed on the Leon-based event before, said he has found it tough going in the ambient temperatures, which peaked at 35 degrees centigrade on Friday.
“To keep the concentration is so important but it’s so difficult when it’s so hot in the car,” said Kuipers. “The heat has been extreme. Okay, Portugal last year was also hot but this afternoon was really hot.”
Co-driven by Belgian Frederic Miclotte, Kuipers has been playing catch-up for much of today after only managing two runs during Thursday’s shakedown, the result of damage to his car’s radiator.
“It’s been tricky today because there are a lot of corners with a lot of stones in so it’s not possible to cut in many places,” said Kuipers. “It’s really dangerous and the grip is changing a lot. Some places you have a lot of grip, some places not and it’s not easy when you don’t know the stages or the car so well on gravel. But for the first time with the notes here I am happy and the notes are okay. It gives confidence and that’s important.”
Kuipers says maintaining seventh place is his only goal on Saturday’s nine stages.
“I have to keep the rhythm and don’t make any mistakes,” said Kuipers. “Tomorrow is a heavy day with some really tough stages. The stages are rough also and it’s easy to get punctures. I hope we stay out of trouble and we can go like this. We just have to keep concentrating.”