The Mexico World Cup Rally starts early Friday morning Finnish time. follows the events of the competition moment by moment on its website.
The World Rally Championship returns to the American continent after a three-year hiatus, when it is held in Mexico this week. The conditions are completely different from the Monte Carlo and Swedish rallies that opened the World Cup season. There is a challenging gravel section ahead in hot weather.
Toyota’s French legend Sebastien Ogier has won six times in Mexico and is sure to hit hard again. Toyota’s other drivers are Kalle Rovanperä, Elfyn Evans and making his Mexican debut Takamoto Katsuta.
Rovanperä is Ford’s in the World Cup situation Ott Tänak too after as second and thus you don’t always have to play the equally awkward role of a plow car. Tänak is in the lead with a three point difference to Rovanpera.
– Even one starting position can make a big difference, of course Ogier coming from the back will give a hard ride to those of us who start ahead. Really good feelings, even though Mexico is not one of my favorite races. It’s been a long break from Mexico, so hopefully this year will feel better. Kimurantti is coming, as always, Rovanperä anticipates.
“I drive as long as the bells ring”
In the races at the beginning of the year, the second runs of the same special tests have been challenging for Toyota cars.
– I don’t know if the second run is as big a problem in Mexico. In fierce gravel races, grip has been a problem. We have tried to improve it in the tests. I hope we would have found a medicine for it, says Rovanperä.
The new Rally1 cars are now being tested in high altitude for the first time. So no one can know how the cars will last.
– I don’t have to worry too much about it. I’ll ride as long as the bells ring. I trust that our guys have done a good job. Hopefully the tricks will last and there won’t be any problems, Rovanperä acknowledges.
Transferred to Hyundai for this year Esapekka Lappi is ahead of Mexico in seventh place in the World Cup standings.
Emil Lindholm for the first time in Mexico
In the WRC2 class, for a Skoda driver to Emil Lindholm Mexico is a completely new experience. Lindholm receives hard wheel-turners when they are involved Oliver Solberg, Gus Greensmith and Adrien Fourmaux.
– My first time in Mexico. I have understood that Mexico is an endurance race. Over the years, there have obviously been a lot of flat tires. Driving style can influence the probability of flat tires, although they cannot always be avoided, Lindholm thinks.
Lindholm map reader Reeta Hämäläinen admits that it has taken time to prepare for the new competition.
– You can explore quite a lot of routes, so that you might find your way there even in the competition. Otherwise, you need to get to know the local culture in order to know roughly when the shops are open and how things are done, Hämäläinen describes.
World Rally Mexico schedule
Friday 17.3.
EK 1 1.12 km at 4.05 am
EK 2 1.12 km at 4:28
EK 3 29.07 km at 16:48
EK 4 15.71 km at 17:46
EK 5 13.79 km at 18:39
EK 6 29.07 km at 22:22
EK 7 15.71 km at 23:20
Saturday 18.3.
EK 8 13.79 km at 00:13
EK 9 3.70 km at 01:16
EK 10 2.76 km at 02:16
EK 11 14.82 km at 16:13
EK 12 22.56 km at 17:04
EK 13 21.70 km at 18:05
EK 14 3.70 km at 19:13
EK 15 14.82 km at 22:06
EK 16 22.56 km at 22:59
Sunday 19.3.
EK 17 21.70 km at 00:05
EK 18 3.70 km at 01:18
EK 19 2.76 km at 02.08
EK 20 3.70 km at 16:05
EK 21 35.63 km at 17:16
EK 22 12.61 km at 18:24
EK 23 9.59 km at 20:18