BP-Ford tidbitsThe BP-Ford Team has provided information regarding the tyres to be used in Argentina, its preview of the upcoming stages, and Marcus Grönholm's latest investment.
Tyres
BP-Ford will use BFGoodrich's G-Force gravel tyre for the low-wear loose surface
roads. The pattern is relatively compact to ensure a maximum amount of rubber is in contact with the ground for the best possible grip and traction. The grooves can be hand cut to open them if there is a lot of loose gravel on the road surface or if the tracks become muddy. The tyres will be available in soft and medium compound rubber.
Rally Route
The rally follows a similar format to 2006, visiting the three valleys of Cordoba province, each offering stages of differing character and landscape. However, the base has moved back to Carlos Paz from Cordoba city. The big change is a Thursday evening super special stage at Buenos Aires' atmospheric River Plate soccer stadium before cars make a free transit 700km overnight journey back to Carlos Paz.
The first full day visits the Punilla Valley, north of the town, before ending with another super special inside Cordoba's soccer stadium.
The second day, the longest, is a mix of morning stages in the same area before faster roads in the Calamuchita valley to the south.
The final leg is based south-west of Carlos Paz in the Traslasierra mountains. It comprises two passes over the rocky El Condor and a single run through Giulio Césare, two of the most famous and toughest stages in the championship which peak at 2195m. A second pass over the Cordoba stadium test ends the action. Drivers face 22 stages covering 346.55km in a route of 1383.14km.
When shopping in Finland...
Before leaving for Argentina, Grönholm will oversee the official opening of his new shopping centre in his home village of Inkoo. The waterside development has eight units, including a restaurant and a gymnasium. A BP-Ford display car will be on view and Finnish rally legends Tommi Mäkinen and Markku Alen are also due to attend.
