Llovera glad to be back in WRC

Albert Llovera, who relies on hand controls to operate his Fiat Abarth Grande Punto after he was paralysed from the waist down in a skiing accident more than two decades ago, has vowed to fight for a podium on his FIA World Rally Championship return in Spain.

Llovera was a regular in the Super 2000 world championship last term finishing ninth in the final standings, but a lack of budget has restricted him to the Spanish series so far in 2012. That was until he secured an outing on the mixed-surface extravaganza on the Costa Daurada from 8-11 November on the back of a successful campaign in Spain’s national championship.

“As a prize for winning Group N and finishing third in the Spanish championship, I have been awarded a drive in the WRC next week,” explained the Andorran, who will be co-driven by Diego Vallejo in Spain. “I’ve struggled with a small budget this year but I’m delighted to have been offered a place for Rally de Espana, it is a perfect prize.”

In terms of a target for next week’s rally, which Llovera is contesting for a sixth time, a podium finish is the aim. “I need to be realistic about the rally,” he said. “It will be difficult against some of the PROTON and Ford Fiesta S2000 cars, our car is quite old and we don’t have the new suspension like the others. I will certainly try to fight for a podium position, especially on the asphalt where we set our best times.”