|
The Rallye de France - Tour de Corse forms a gripping finale to this year's Junior Championship, with Suzuki drivers P-G Andersson and Urmo Aava starting the event tied for the series lead with 38 points each. The situation is simple: each driver has to beat the other in order to take the title. The only certainty heading into this notoriously unpredictable all-asphalt rally is that a Suzuki driver will emerge as this year’s Junior Rally Champion. If, for any reason, the drivers finish this event still with the same number of points, then P-G will be crowned champion as he has won more rallies this year.
The Rallye de France got underway this evening with a ceremonial start in Place Foch, close to the rally headquarters and service park on the harbourside at Ajaccio.
A total of 82 competitors crossed the start ramp before heading straight into parc ferme ready for the real action that starts at 08:00 tomorrow. In total, the drivers will face 16 special stages comprising 359.32 competitive kilometres.
The Rallye de France is well-known as one of the most fearsome events on the Junior Championship calendar, with asphalt roads that feature several hairpin bends. The event has been traditionally nicknamed the ‘rally of 10,000 corners’ on account of the constant changes of direction. This year, most of the stages are brand new, meaning that nobody starts with an advantage in terms of experience. This is just one of the many unpredictable factors in Corsica, with the weather another unforeseen element that could turn the rally on its head. Although the forecast predicts dry conditions throughout all three days of the event, there is always a possibility of rain, fog and mist – particularly at high altitude.
This morning, the Junior competitors all completed a short shakedown test on roads similar to those they will experience on the rally. Both Suzuki drivers were happy with their cars and reported no problems. |
 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
News from P-G (1st in JRC points table):
“It should be an extremely exciting event! This is actually my first time on this rally while Urmo has been to Corsica twice before, but I think that this handicap should be minimised by the fact that about two-thirds of the stages are new this year. I like driving on asphalt so we just have to push as hard as possible right from the start. We know Urmo’s speed so we must try to stay on his pace and not make any mistakes. In this situation, it’s important to take it one stage at a time.” |
| |
|
|
|
|
News from Urmo (1st in JRC points table):
“I think that the outcome of the rally will probably be decided by the first person to make a mistake rather than by outright speed. I know very well what can happen, as on the last rally in Catalunya I made a mistake and picked up a puncture: this meant that I lost the chance to win. Of course you have to drive quickly as well, and I’m hoping that my experience from the past will help me this year. Corsica is a more difficult rally than Catalunya, as the roads are narrower with more hairpin bends.” |
| |
|
|
 |
|
News from Nobuhiro ‘Monster’ Tajima, team principal:
“Whatever happens, this rally is a very big honour for Suzuki as a Suzuki driver will take the title at the end of it. I’ve told the drivers to enjoy the rally but above all to be there at the finish: this is the only way for either of them to become champion. In order to succeed, it is necessary to take a clean line and also to avoid punctures. The quickest way, especially in a two wheel drive car, is always the neatest and the most precise way with the correct lines through the corners. This is a sign of a champion!”
|
French Republic
Time +2UCT (summer time)
|
|
