N
NateDogg
Guest
McRae prays for wet New Zealand
Colin McRae will be looking to the heavens in New Zealand next month, hoping that the first day of the gravel event will be a wet one.
Following on from his fourth place on the Rally of Turkey, the Scot is second in the drivers’ championship, and so on the Friday of Rally New Zealand, he will be running second on the road, behind Richard Burns.
A dry Rally New Zealand will mean that those at the head of the field will be sweeping the loose gravel off the top of the roads, clearing a faster route for those behind to follow. A fall of rain will compact the gravel down, lessening the effects of road sweeping.
“We’re going to Auckland on the back of a very strong result for Citroen,” said McRae. “The team leads the manufacturers’ championship and I’m second in the drivers’ title race. However this position is probably not going to be ideal for the first day in New Zealand. If it stays dry, it means we will be sweeping the roads clean for the runners behind. Let’s pray for rain!”
McRae says although the Citroen Xsara proved its speed on gravel with Carlos Sainz’s 25th WRC in Turkey, the team won’t be resting on its laurels.
“We’re trying to squeeze performance out of everywhere,” said McRae. “We’ve got some modifications for the dampers and the engine.”
So will it be wet in New Zealand next month? Er, possibly…
Colin McRae will be looking to the heavens in New Zealand next month, hoping that the first day of the gravel event will be a wet one.
Following on from his fourth place on the Rally of Turkey, the Scot is second in the drivers’ championship, and so on the Friday of Rally New Zealand, he will be running second on the road, behind Richard Burns.
A dry Rally New Zealand will mean that those at the head of the field will be sweeping the loose gravel off the top of the roads, clearing a faster route for those behind to follow. A fall of rain will compact the gravel down, lessening the effects of road sweeping.
“We’re going to Auckland on the back of a very strong result for Citroen,” said McRae. “The team leads the manufacturers’ championship and I’m second in the drivers’ title race. However this position is probably not going to be ideal for the first day in New Zealand. If it stays dry, it means we will be sweeping the roads clean for the runners behind. Let’s pray for rain!”
McRae says although the Citroen Xsara proved its speed on gravel with Carlos Sainz’s 25th WRC in Turkey, the team won’t be resting on its laurels.
“We’re trying to squeeze performance out of everywhere,” said McRae. “We’ve got some modifications for the dampers and the engine.”
So will it be wet in New Zealand next month? Er, possibly…