Andersson completes Focus test run

"People want to see how we perform in Bulgaria"

By Franck Drui

3 July 2010 - 18:30
Andersson completes Focus test run

P-G Andersson got his first proper taste of Ford Focus RS WRC power on asphalt when he covered approximately 170 kilometres during a test near Toulouse on Wednesday (June 30).

The 30-year-old from Sweden was using the test to prepare for next week’s Rally Bulgaria, when he will make his debut for the Stobart M-Sport Ford Rally Team.

The test had been planned for a venue in Malaga, Spain, but had to be switched to France due to a hitch obtaining necessary permission. However, Ford team personnel were able to locate a test stage largely reminiscent of the broken asphalt roads that will cover much of the Rally Bulgaria route when the country makes its first appearance in the WRC next week.

Following the test Andersson spoke of his desire to remain in the Focus for the remaining three Tarmac events in Germany, France and Spain when regular Stobart driver Henning Solberg will be at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta Super 2000.

“It would be nice to think about that and Stobart needs to have two drivers in the team,” said Andersson, the double Junior world rally champion. “At the moment we are just talking about Bulgaria, but anything is possible. For the start, people want to see how we perform in Bulgaria and if we can do well.”

Andersson, who will be co-driven in Bulgaria by regular navigator Jonas Andersson, undertook his test following the factory Ford team’s four-day session in France when Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala were both in action.

Andersson’s last competitive outing on asphalt was on Rallye de France in Corsica in 2008 when he took a works Suzuki SX4 WRC to 17th overall. He said there was no comparison between the Suzuki and the Focus.

“Comparing the Suzuki and the Ford is impossible because the Ford is a proper asphalt car,” said Andersson.

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