IRC Argentina preview : The expectations

Juho Hanninen (Finland), Skoda Fabia S2000: "I like this rally a lot but it won’t be easy because the local Group N drivers will be very strong. We will be fit and ready but the sandy stages won’t be so good for our car because we don’t have the torque that the Group N turbos do. As a result, you need to be smooth with your driving style to keep up the speed otherwise you can lose a lot of time. There is always a fantastic atmosphere on this rally with all the fans so I can’t wait and it will be interesting to see what Nasser Al-Attiyah can do in his Skoda. I think he can be very strong."

Kris Meeke (United Kingdom), Peugeot 207 S2000: "I’ve a half idea of what to expect from the recce we did five years ago but it will be a clean sheet of paper approach when we get there. We’ll have more opposition than we did in Brazil with Nasser Al-Attiyah and Federico Vilagra, who will both be strong because they are quick but also know the rally very well. The important thing is to get points. With the victory under our belts in Brazil we don’t have to win in Argentina so there is less pressure on us this time."

Federico Villagra (Argentina), Ford Fiesta S2000: "I’ve done Rally Argentina many times now, which should certainly help us but I’ve not driven the Fiesta yet, although I hear that it is very good. I’m planning a test in Argentina with the car before the rally, and I will know a little more then. I have to say though that I have driven the latest specification Group N car, with the 33mm restrictor, and I was really impressed. So I think the ’normal’ Group N cars will be very competitive in Argentina as well."