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Hirvonen in New Zealand:

31.8.2008

Hirvonen: The championship battle is not over

According to Ford driver Mikko Hirvonen, the misfortune in Rally New Zealand boosted his fighting spirit for the last four WRC rallies of the season. In New Zealand, a flat tyre and a spin caused Hirvonen to lose his lead and drop into third position on the third to last special stage. Sebastien Loeb won the rally.
“The difference to Loeb in championship standings is now eight points, and there are four rallies outstanding which means another 40 points are available,” Hirvonen says.
Two of the autumn rallies take place on tarmac roads and two on gravel roads. In particular, the last rallies of the series in Japan and Wales are unpredictable because of wet and slippery special stages.
“I must really do my utmost in each rally and have a bit of luck as well if I want to win the championship, but it is still possible,” Hirvonen says.
The world championship series continues with the rallies in Catalonia and Corsica, which are both raced within a week in early October; Loeb has been in the habit of winning these rallies during the last few years.
Last, year, Hirvonen was fourth in Catalonia while dropping far below the top positions in Corsica following a driving error during the first day.
“My driving on tarmac, like my driving in general, has taken a step in the right direction since last year. Especially in Catalonia where the special stages are faster and smoother, I have every possibility of challenging Loeb, and of course Dani Sordo as well, who will certainly be fast there,” Hirvonen says.
“Corsica is generally considered a very difficult rally, and that it is if the weather changes quickly during the race as it tends to do in the autumn. I have started enjoying this rally as far as the route and roads are concerned.”

Victories to defend

In the last two rallies of the series in Japan and Wales, Hirvonen will be defending his victories of last year.
“Depending on the weather, both are difficult or very difficult races but I enjoy their special stages, nevertheless.
There, I have every chance of winning,” Hirvonen says.
In Rally New Zealand, Hirvonen was driving steadily and fast for two days until a flat tyre and a spin on the penultimate special stage on Sunday lost him almost a minute and caused him to drop from first position to third.
“Apparently some gravel penetrated the gap between the wheel rim and the tyre at the beginning of the special stage, and this caused the flat. I was very annoyed, but there’s no point in brooding over misfortunes in this game. Now I’m all set to take on Loeb on tarmac.”