Inside Rally

RK M-Sport World Rally Team’s Robert Kubica will be the star of the show as the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) returns to his native Poland next week. As one of the country’s most respected and admired sportsmen, the Formula One race winner will be in high demand as he powers his Ford Fiesta RS WRC through the gravel tracks of the Polish Lake District.

The Polish fixture last formed a part of the WRC in 2009 when Robert’s fellow M-Sport driver, Mikko Hirvonen, claimed the sought-after victory. Established in 1921, the rally is one of the oldest in the world and never fails to deliver an exciting and adrenaline-fuelled event.

Similar to the iconic stages of Rally Finland, Poland’s fast gravel roads see the rally cars reach maximum speed as they fly through the region’s breath-taking landscape. But the picturesque setting hides a daunting task.

Unexpected obstacles linger on the inside line, ready to catch out the unfortunate. Crews will need to have their wits about them as they navigate the tricky speed tests and a good recce is perhaps more vital than anywhere else on the calendar.
Robert and his fellow countryman and co-driver Maciek Szczepaniak go into their home event with their confidence high. Following a solid finish in Argentina, the Poles went on to up their pace in Sardinia.

Commenting on how much he had enjoyed the loose-surface challenge of the Italian stages, Kubica will be looking for a similar, incident-free event in Poland and – with the Polish fans behind him – the Lotos, Grupa Azoty and Michelin supported driver will have all the tools he needs to deliver another progressive performance in front of the home crowd.

In appreciation of the huge support he receives in his native Poland, the 29-year-old will also be sporting a special livery for his national event. Embracing all things Polish, Kubica’s Fiesta RS WRC will be adorned with an eye-catching red and white design.

Robert Kubica said:

“Competing in my homeland will be something very special, but on the other hand – strange as it sounds – it will be a completely new rally for me. I contested Rally Poland last year, but in this year’s edition not even 100 metres will be same and my approach will be the same as it was for the other new events.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing all the Polish fans. This will be one of the country’s sporting highlights and I think there are many rally fans in Poland so it is nice that we have this opportunity – with the Polish Federation – to do this event.

“I’m sure there will be a lot of support for the Polish drivers, but I just want to do a good rally and finish well without making any mistakes. I know that if I get to the finish and am happy with my driving then it will be a good rally. This is the most important thing for me and this is what I am looking for.

“Talking about the results, I won’t be paying too much attention to that. The most important thing is to learn and enjoy. If I finish the last stage and I am happy with what I did behind the wheel, it will be the best result for me and bring a lot of satisfaction.

“As this is my home event, I thought it would be nice to show the Polish national colours on my Fiesta RS WRC, and so that is what we have decided to do. Together with our partners, we have come up with a one-off design for this special event.”

Don’t miss the dazzling drama of Wales Rally GB as the spectacular, globetrotting 2014 FIA World Rally Championship comes to the UK! Highlights include:
Breathtaking sideways action featuring 23 competitive stages in the legendary Welsh forests culminating in a spectacular new Power Stage.
Top British drivers – Elfyn Evans and Kris Meeke – gunning for home glory.
Special family-friendly spectator stages at Chirk Castle and Kinmel Park with improved entertainment and facilities for all ages.

ROUTE ANNOUNCED!

This year’s Wales Rally GB (13-16 November) will build on the huge success of last year’s revitalised event when a move to north Wales proved to be a huge draw for both fans and competitors, attracting record numbers of spectators plus a full capacity entry from right around the globe.

The 2014 route features a more compact and fan-friendly three-day schedule comprising all the classic ingredients that make Wales Rally GB such a fitting finale to the season-long FIA World Rally Championship including the best possible spectator access, based out of the widely-praised new Service Park in Deeside.

The majority of the exhilarating timed sections are set on some of the world’s finest rally tracks in the legendary Welsh forests, while two stages held in darkness on Saturday evening will increase both the challenge and spectacle.

The itinerary on both Saturday and Sunday includes a family-friendly RallyFest event designed to provide families and casual rally fans with the opportunity to experience the excitement of world championship action in more accommodating surroundings with enhanced facilities.

The Thursday evening Ceremonial Start has moved to the Eirias Park Stadium in Colwyn Bay where entry will be free and include access to the popular pre-event autograph session with the world’s leading drivers in attendance.

The dramatic high-speed action then blasts off early Friday morning to familiar Wales Rally GB territory close to Machynlleth. A long, challenging day in mid-Wales features double runs through the well-known Gartheiniog, Dyfi, Hafren Sweet Lamb and Maesnant stages, either side of a remote service in central Newtown.

Saturday’s action is closer to Deeside including two spectacular stages in the famous Clocaenog forest plus morning and afternoon runs through Aberhirnant and Dyfnant – the final two after sunset. Before that the competitors return to the mid-day service in Deeside via Chirk Castle close to Wrexham for the first of the two RallyFest stages.

The picturesque Chirk Castle proved so popular when introduced last year that the number of spectators trying to access the venue created serious traffic and other issues. Responding to these, the organisers have created a completely revised traffic management system, increased parking and enhanced spectator facilities to ensure a truly family-friendly experience. Moreover admittance this year will be by advanced ticket only, which will help to control numbers and assist with event planning.

The rally will conclude on Sunday with another RallyFest Stage at Kinmel Park, easily accessible from the A55, plus two challenging new stages in north Wales: Alwen and Brenig. The final run through the breathtaking scenery of Brenig is the event’s dramatic, concluding Power Stage for which extra points are awarded. It could be the 2014 world championship title decider, too.

As last year, the winners will be crowned on Mostyn Street in Llandudno. Access to both official Start and Finish Ceremonies will be open to the public and totally free, as is admittance to the Service Park in Deeside.

WORLD RALLY PASSES ON SALE!

World Rally Passes are already on sale priced at £99 and will provide access to all 23 special stages including the RallyFests at both Chirk Castle and Kinmel Park. Prices for day Forest Passes, RallyFests and individual stage access will be confirmed when they go on sale later this month.

ROUTE ITINERARY

Thursday 13 November:
18:30 Ceremonial Start: Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay
Overnight Deeside Service Park

Friday 14 November:
07:44 SS1: Gartheiniog 1 (same route as 2013)
08:14 SS2: Dyfi 1 (same route as 2013)
09:26 SS3: Hafren Sweet Lamb 1 (similar to 2012)
09:59 SS4: Maesnant 1 (new stage using parts of 2013 Hafren stage)
11:23 Remote service: Newtown
13:07 SS5: Gartheiniog 2
13:37 SS6: Dyfi 2
14:49 SS7: Hafren Sweet Lamb 2
15:22 SS8: Maesnant 2
18:35 Service: Deeside Service Park
Overnight Deeside Service Park

Saturday 15 November:
07:48 SS9: Clocaenog East 1 (revised route and reversed from 2013)
08:05 SS10: Clocaenog Main 1 (new stage)
09:13 SS11: Aberhirnant 1 (revised route and reverse direction of 2013 Penllyn stage)
10:09 SS12: Dyfnant 1 (reverse direction of 2013)
11:59 SS13: Chirk Castle (same as 2013)
13:32 Service: Deeside Service Park
15:05 SS14: Clocaenog East 2
15:22 SS15: Clocaenog Main 2
16:30 SS16: Aberhirnant 2
17:26 SS17: Dyfnant 2
20:11 Service: Deeside Service Park
Overnight Deeside Service Park

Sunday 16 November:
08:35 SS18: Brenig 1 (new stage)
09:02 SS19: Alwen 1 (new stage using tracks last used on the 1993 Network Q RAC Rally)
09:57 SS20: Kinmel Park 1 (similar to 2013)
10:05 SS21: Kinmel Park 2
10:55 SS22: Alwen 2
12:00 SS23: Brenig 2 (Power Stage)
13:20 Ceremonial Finish: Mostyn Street, Llandudno

M-Sport World Rally Team’s Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen claimed an early lead at Rally Italia Sardegna this evening. Mastering the opening 1.30 kilometres sprint stage, the Finns go into tomorrow’s speed tests with a 0.2 second advantage over the chasing pack.

Huge crowds turned out to see the FIA World Rally Championship’s finest tackle the tricky super special and Hirvonen did not disappoint. Piloting his Ford Fiesta RS WRC through the narrow stage on Cagliari’s picturesque harbour front, the M-Sport man will sleep well tonight – safe in the knowledge that he has taken an early lead on an event at which he traditionally thrives.

Mikko Hirvonen (1st) said:

“It was a really good show and I think that we did a good job of entertaining the thousands of spectators who came out to see us. We only have a 0.2 second lead going into tomorrow, but it is still a stage win and to take it in front of such a fantastic crowd was a really nice way to start the rally. The real work starts tomorrow, but this evening, we can go to bed happy.”

Image: M-Sport