Ready to bounce back in Sardinia
2016.06.07 19:35
We’re looking for a quick return to form with a four-car entry in Sardinia
The breathtakingly stunning island of Sardinia plays host to the sixth round of the 2016 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) this weekend. We have plenty of happy memories from Sardinia following our double podium with Hayden and Thierry last year and it will be the perfect venue for us to push the reset button after a tough event in Portugal.
There will be new challenges to tackle this year but we’re well prepared. We carried out a pre-event test during the short break in anticipation of the hot and rough stages that we expect to tackle.
A Team Effort
Our workshop mechanics have been flat out to build a brand new car for Hayden and John after their dramatic off in Portugal. It’s been an impressive accomplishment for the team, who had just seven working days.
“Best team in the world!” Hayden tweeted to his legion of fans. “Can't thank our guys enough for an incredible job.”
Team Principal Michel Nandan was equally impressed: “With just two weeks between the final day of Portugal and leaving for Sardinia, it has been hard work to build a New Generation i20 WRC but one which everyone has come together to achieve. There has been time to debrief on the issues we encountered in Portugal, so we are now ready to move forward as a team.“
Podium Potential
Rally Argentina winners Hayden and John will want to put the experience of Portugal far behind them as they look to enjoy a trouble-free rally weekend in familiar territory.
“Sardinia was the venue of my first rally with Hyundai Motorsport back in 2014,” says Hayden, “and then twelve months later where we scored our debut WRC podium. You never forget your first podium and we’d love to get another one this year.”
Thierry and Nicolas were on course for a top-five finish in Portugal, but have their sights set even higher for Sardinia!
“Sardinia is a very special place for me,” explains Thierry. “It was my first four-wheel-drive car rally some years ago and I have scored many points there. I have finished twice on the podium, second in 2013 and third place with Hyundai Motorsport last year.”
Building a Rhythm
Dani and co-driver Marc are the most experienced of our crews on the Sardinian isle. Even they aren’t underestimating the challenges that this event can pose.
“This rally is really narrow in places with many stones,” says Dani. “Road position will be an influencing factor because the first cars will be required to clean the surface. The stages will be very slippery and tricky for those cars, but that’s part of the rally.”
“We hope to build on some of the rhythm from Portugal,” adds Kevin, as he and Seb take part in their second WRC event of 2016. “I’ve competed in Sardinia twice before, but it’s really rough compared to Portugal. We’re here to build our confidence and advance our learning curve, so it’s important to take each stage as it comes.”
A Classic Test
Sardinia is often a rally of attrition. Ruts and rocks create car-damaging hazards especially during the repeat of each stage.
The Ittiri Arena Show Super Special, located near the service park in Alghero, will open competition on Thursday evening. Eight tests follow on Friday in Logudoro and Anglona, including the all-new Tula stage. Some of the remaining stages are deemed classics, dating back to the island’s inclusion on the WRC calendar in 2004 as the new Italian venue.
Monte Actuo hosts day two in the eastern part of the north with six stages totalling a massive 177 kilometres. The final day takes place just north of Alghero with the picturesque Cala Flumini coastal road and new Sassari-Argentiera stage, which forms the 6.96km Power Stage.