Some 9223 kms from the Satory factory in France, the Citroën DS3 WRCs are having their first taste of gravel in racing conditions.
The Rally Mexico Léon is the second event in the 2011 World Rally Championship. Sébastien Ogier set the quickest time in the shakedown, the final test session, from Petter Solberg and Sébastien Loeb.
Loeb, winner of the last four Rally Mexicos is hoping to add a fifth victory to his results: “I like these stages on which I’ve always felt at home. I hope we’ll be able to open up a gap on the first day. We’ll have to be sure to have a big enough lead on Friday evening to be first out on the road on Saturday and Sunday. I’m feeling optimistic as testing’s gone well. The car’s balance on gravel is perfect and I’ve got good sensations. The DS3 WRCs are in front in the shakedown and that’s a good omen.”
Sébastien Ogier came first in the Junior category in Léon on his debut in the world championship three years ago. Last year he finished on the podium: “I’ve got a good feeling with the Citroën DS3 WRC. I can’t wait to do the first timed stage to be able to judge our performance in relation of those of our rivals. Starting from fourth we’re in a sort of in-between place, it’s neither good nor bad. We’ll see where we stand later on. I like the roads in Rally Mexico with their fairly quick wide stages on which it’s a real pleasure to drive.”
Petter Solberg in the third Citroën DS3 WRC prepared by Citroën Racing Technologies is also happy with his first outing on gravel.: “After good tests in France last week, I’m convinced that we’ve found the best possible setup. I’m champing at the bit to tackle the stopwatch on gravel. Starting from fifth place tomorrow, we’ll have a slight advantage and I think that’ll be one of the keys to this rally.”
In 2010, Loeb won the rally from Solberg and Ogier.
The shakedown fastest times:
S.Ogier - Citroën – 2’51’’7
P.Solberg - Citroën – 2’51’’9
S.Loeb - Citroën – 2’52’’9
J-M.Latvala - Ford – 2’53’’3
M.Østberg - Ford – 2’55’’3
M.Wilson - Ford – 2’55’’5
M.Hirvonen - Ford – 2’55’’9
F.Villagra - Ford – 2’56’’4
E.Novikov - Ford – 2’56’’5
H.Solberg - Ford – 2’57’’7