02/10/2008
RallyRACC: Sébastien Loeb and Citroën sets the stage at the Shakedown

Sébastien Loeb (Citroën). Shakedown RallyRACC 08

After the compulsory reconnaissance runs on the previous two days, all priority drivers and participants in the Junior series, as well as other drivers who requested it, had the opportunity to participate at the Shakedown today. Teams were allowed to do as many runs as  they wished with the cars in race trim over the 2.4 km near Vilanova d’Escornalbou stage, to prepare their cars for race conditions.

Sébastien Loeb-Daniel Elena, Citroën Total WRT works drivers, set the fastest time on 1.11.5, four tenths of a second faster than team mates Daniel Sordo-Marc Martí, and Ford Focus RS WRC team Belgian drivers François Duval-Patrick Pivato, who clocked exactly the same time. Although the Shakedown is not necessarily a good herald for the rally’s results, the fastest men staked their claims for victory, especially the current leader in the standings Sébastien Loeb.

Citroën’s drivers had enough with a few runs -four for Sordo and three for Loeb-, along the lines of BP Ford Abu Dhabi WRT’ drivers Mikko Hirvonen and François Duval –three and four, respectively. Subaru WRT drivers Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson, as well as Suzuki World Rally Team drivers Toni Gardemeister and Per-Gunnar Andersson, were more generous in their time to adapt their cars to this tarmac, a surface which is less known for the Impreza and the SX4. Gardemeister was the most thorough driver with as much as seven runs. 

Drivers agreed on the convenience of a Shakedown held close to PortAventura’s Service Park, which spared them from having to travel to distant locations. They also praised the layout, which is similar to the stages they will find in the three legs of the race.

In the Junior Championship, Sébastien Ogier (Citroën C2 S1600), current leader in the overall standings, clinched the fastest time. He confessed to be under great pressure, because he could claim the title here should he win the RallyRACC Catalunya-COSTA DAURADA race.

Several events punctuated the day, including the pre-rally FIA press conference and the Ceremonial Start Procedure at the Salou podium. A press conference sponsored by FIA and RACC to present the “ChooseESC” campaign was also held at the Press Room today. This is an awareness raising campaign about ESC (Electronic Stability Control), a life-saving technological active safety device for cars.

Tomorrow, first leg
Tomorrow, Friday October 3, the green light for the first day of the Rally de España will go at 7.30 am, opening a 511.52 km route with six special stages adding up 131.76 kilometres. Further information at www.rallyracc.com.