WRC stars take Sydney by storm
en route to Coffs Harbour
Leading drivers from the World Rally Championship stopped off in Sydney on Sunday en route to Coffs Harbour where Rally Australia will take place from this Thursday (8 September).
Citroen’s world championship leader Sebastien Loeb, Ford duo Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala, M-Sport Stobart’s Henning Solberg and Matthew Wilson, plus leading privateer Petter Solberg signed autographs at the Pitt Street Mall before heading to Sydney Tower’s sky walk viewing platform.
Speaking during his visit to Sydney, Hirvonen, who won the last time Australia hosted a round of the WRC in 2009, said: “I really enjoy this event, last time we had a good fight and managed to take the win and would definitely like to win it again. I have to fight all the time and with two Tarmac rallies coming up it will be very difficult [to win the title] so yes I will definitely be fighting for the win in Australia.”
Loeb, who holds a 25-point advantage in the title race, said: “I don’t have a big lead, it’s only 25 points and obviously it’s more important to get most points than to win but I will still fight for the win.”
Briton Wilson is looking to emulate the sixth place he achieved on Rally Australia in 2009. He revealed that the event is one of his favourites on the WRC calendar: “Coming here is a great atmosphere and I really enjoy it, I have been here three times now and the roads are really good. It’s always a really good rally but it’s obviously a brand new event for everyone so it’s not going to be easy with all the new stages.”
Petter Solberg, languishing in fifth in the title standings following a trying season, said: “It’s been a tough year for some reason, of course we are coming here to Australia to give it a big push and fight for the win. It’s a good atmosphere here and we will have some fun.”
He continued: “I really enjoy rallying and with all the people volunteering on rallies like here in Australia it’s good to see that people still have the passion and support. This is what rallying is all about.”
Rally Australia takes place the Coffs Coast region of New South Wales 500 kilometres north of Sydney from 8-11 September. It forms round 10 of the 13-event World Rally Championship season.