The Citroën DS3 WRC make their debut

After several months in the design and build stage and thousands of kilometres testing, the Citroën DS3 WRCs took part in this morning’s shakedown for Rally Sweden, the first round of the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship.

Just before 08h00, the two Citroën Total World Rally Team Citroën DS3 WRCs left the Hagfors service park to take part in the shakedown, a short 3.99-km fine-tuning stage in Rada, which the cars covered in just over 2 minutes.

Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena set the ball rolling and found the roads a bit slippery: “There was a fine coating of snow on the surface,” said Elena on the first return to the service park. “The times fell as the grip improved. Between our first and third passes we lowered our time by over two seconds per kilometre!”

Alongside him Loeb predicted: “If it continues to snow like this, there’s going to be a huge gap between the first and tenth on the road during the rally. Conditions are really difficult because of the fresh snow. Even in a straight line the car has a tendency to surf. It’s like you’re aquaplaning on the snow! But I’ve got a good feeling. We’ve done a good job sorting out the Citroën DS3 WRC. Now it’s up to us to do the maximum to be in contention right from the start.”

Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia also multiplied the passes: “It’s really not easy. The snow continues to fall and the conditions evolve on each run. The car’s reactions are very different whether you’re in the ruts or outside. I haven’t got as much experience as my rivals on this kind of surface. I’m going to try and drive a consistent race to score the maximum number of points.”

Citroën Racing clients, Petter Solberg and Kimi Raïkkônen, also racked up the maximum number of kilometers with a few hours to go to the start.

“I already feel at home behind the wheel of the Citroën DS3 WRC,” smiled Norwegian Solberg this morning. “I’m ready to get the season off to a flying start, and I’m going to be fighting for the podium here in Sweden. The DS3 WRC is an easy car to drive and I can’t wait to be under starter’s orders!”

Parked a few metres away, Raïkkönen added: “I really like how the Citroën DS3 WRC handles. It’s more compact and easier to turn, I’m having fun behind the wheel. The conditions are different to our tests on ice. During the shakedown I kissed a wall of snow. We’ll see how things turn out during the rally.”