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Abu Dhabi team trio shine
Day two of Rally Sardinia clearly belonged to the BP-Ford Abu Dhabi Team trio of Mikko Hirvonen, Jari-Matti Latvala and Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi.
- Staff Report
- Published: 00:08 May 18, 2008
Abu Dhabi: Day two of Rally Sardinia clearly belonged to the BP-Ford Abu Dhabi Team trio of Mikko Hirvonen, Jari-Matti Latvala and Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi.
Latvala won all the six stages on Saturday while his more fancied teammate Hirvonen registered the second-fastest times behind his younger countryman and together the Abu Dhabi Team drivers finished joint second and narrowed the gap between them and Citroen ace Sebastien Loeb.
Shaikh Khalid, who spun out of the fourth stage on the opening day, rejoined the action yesterday and turned in a fantastic display to complete a satisfying day for the BP-Ford Abu Dhabi Team. The UAE ace started with a 15-minute penalty under Super Rally rules but from 33rd place at yesterday's start in the 7th stage, went on to move up by 13 places to finish 20th at the end of day two.
'Blind corner'
Commenting on his Day One retirement in the fourth stage, the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority-backed UAE ace driver said: "I entered a blind corner around 10km from the start that was hidden by a bush and saw this huge bedded rock - with an edge sticking out into the road - too late and hit it at speed.
"I damaged the front left of the car, including mechanical components like the driveshaft and steering arm. It was a bad corner and there was no way we could continue."
Khalid, however, displayed immense spirit and character to get back and climb up the standings yesterday.
However the star of the day was Latvala as the Finn, who lost 90 seconds due to a puncture on the opening, was in a class of his own setting a tremendous pace right through the six stages covering a total distance of 134.40 km.
In fact, in one of the finest exhibitions of speed and control, Latvala, who was 7th after day one and trailed Loeb by one minute and 31.1 seconds, narrowed down that lead to 29.4 seconds!
'Easing back'
"I attacked at 110 per cent on the first stage but before the next test we had a think about my pace and I eased back a little," said Latvala.
"After my puncture yesterday, I didn't expect to be in the top three today. I have a great road position and that made a big difference this morning," said the Abu Dhabi Team driver.
"It's been good day so far - very different to yesterday," said Hirvonen.
"It seems that running first on the road is playing a bigger role that I thought yesterday.
"I haven't changed a thing on the car and yet we're much faster today. I think Jari [Latvala] has an ideal position as seventh car on the road; he's absolutely flying.
"It's going to be a bit fight. It's certainly more fun now!" said the Abu Dhabi Team driver who currently leads Loeb by five points in the drivers' championship on the World Rally Champion-ships standings.
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