09.03.2007 @ 12:45:28

Mexico : Stobart Motorsport - Shakedown
The Stobart VK M-Sport Ford team had a smooth shakedown this morning ahead of the 2007 Corona Rally Mexico. All three drivers took the opportunity to adapt to the gravel surface after two successive rallies on snow in Scandinavia last month.

It was a bouncy start for the crews after being launched into the air off a surprise bump sending their Ford Focus RS WRC06 cars nose first into the ground. After noting the obstacle for the remaining three runs, it was a successful test for the trio who were all impressed by the surface and the grip it produced.

Weather conditions were true to Mexican stereotypes with blue skies and sunshine playing host to this high altitude rally. With Leon 1800 meters above sea level, competitors used this morning's test to adjust their driving styles to the car's lightened horsepower, which is a result of thin air found at high altitudes.

Stobart VK M-Sport Ford driver Henning Solberg set the pace for the team with Jari-Matti Latvala and Mathew Wilson close behind showing continued pace as seen in Norway last month. The colourful ceremonial start for Rally Mexico takes place in Guanajuato City at 7:30pm this evening.

Henning Solberg
"It was ok, on our first pass we hit the ditch quite hard but the car was alright.
We played with the set-up of the car a little bit to see how it would respond on this surface. I am really looking forward to starting the rally and hopefully doing well here in Mexico."

Jari-Matti Latvala
"I am still using this time to get out of snow style driving and back into gravel. The car is performing really well on this surface and is showing excellent grip on these roads. This is my second time in Mexico and I'm looking forward to driving on gravel again."

Matthew Wilson
"The car felt really good out there and the grip seemed to be much better as more cars passed over the stage. We had a bit of a scare on our first run when the car bounced up in the rear and headed nose first into the road but everything was fine, no damage to the car."
Stobart M-Sport Ford