Emilia Romagna GP || May 19 || 15h00 (Local time)

Wallenwein targets top 15 finish

"I hope we can improve a bit more"

By

9 September 2011 - 20:12

ŠKODA Auto Deutschland’s Mark Wallenwein is aiming for the top 15 in his third Intercontinental Rally Challenge appearance this year, after finishing in the top 20 at the last round.

After beating team-mate Matthias Kahle at the infamously tough Barum Czech Rally Zlín, Wallenwein can be confident of improving at an event that promises to be similarly challenging. The fast roads of the Canon Mecsek Rallye are broken up by temporary chicanes formed from truck tyres which can pitch cars into a roll if the driver makes a mistake.

“From Monte-Carlo to Barum we made some small steps, and now we are back on a dry asphalt rally I hope we can improve a bit more,” said Wallenwein. “For us it would be great to finish between the top 10 and the top 15. 12th, 13th or 14th would be ideal. I want to do all the stages and learn a lot, then come back next year and be even better!

“I think the average speed will be much higher than at other rounds. Most of the corners are flat out, and there are a lot of long corners so we have to try to find the rhythm and the grip – and try to stay on the road.”

“Looking at the weather forecasts, it’s going to be dry. I hope so – if it’s wet then it will be very good for the Hungarian drivers who are familiar with the stages in wet conditions.”