WRC
21 January 2012Just 5,6 kilometres remain to the podium.
On the Rally Monte Carlo, Dani Sordo is on the cusp of his third podium place for the MINI WRC Team. Just one special stage remains on Sunday, but it will be challenging.
Special Stage 17: One stage from the end of the Rally Monte Carlo Dani Sordo summarised the situation on Saturday perfectly: "Now we need to up our game again," he said in light of the fact that Petter Solberg’s third-best time on the 17th special stage saw him slice another 11,7 seconds off Dani’s advantage. 19,1 seconds now separate Dani’s second place in the overall classification from Solberg’s third.
Thus Dani stands on the cusp of his third podium place for the MINI WRC Team. In Germany he placed third; France saw him move up a place to second. The final result of the Rally Monte Carlo will be decided on the 18th special stage run on Sunday. This Powerstage is just 5,16 kilometres long, yet will be extremely challenging. From the start the road climbs non-stop until it reaches an elevation of 327 metres at the finish. The stage includes various twisty sections in which errors will surely be punished. The excitement will build from 10.11 on Sunday.
Pierre Campana can go into Sunday in a relatively relaxed mode, for he occupies a confortable seventh overall on the Rally Monte Carlo in the second MINI WRC. He delivered a consistent, controlled performance to make a promising debut for the MINI WRC Team.
Special Stage 16: On this stage over the famous Col de Turini, where thousands of rally fans were in full party mode, Dani was forced to drop 9,1 seconds on Petter Solberg, who set the fastest time - as he had on the previous stage. Thus Dani’s advantage over Solberg in the overall classification ahead of the final stage of the day: 30,8 seconds.
Special Stage 15: "To be honest I pushed the MINI WRC very hard on this stage," said Dani after the 19-kilometre special stage. This was, though, necessary, as he had driven the previous test conservatively to ensure he maintained his lead over Petter Solberg. However, Solberg still managed to be faster, taking 12,5 seconds off Dani. Thus in two stages Solberg managed to reduce the gap by 26,9 seconds to Dani, who holds second place. The fight for the final steps on the podium is far from over. The duel remains thrilling.
Pierre Campana in the second MINI John Cooper Works WRC again posted a good time, having proven faster than Dani on the previous stage. Pierre continues to hold seventh place.
Special Stage 14: Over the 23,41-kilometre special stage which opened Saturday proceedings on the Rally Monte Carlo, Pierre recorded a time 1,4 seconds faster than Dani, who posted the seventh fastest time as Petter Solberg made up 14,4 seconds." The MINI WRC seemed to react a bit slowly," said Dani. "But I also proceeded too cautiously." Thus Dani remains second, 52,4 seconds up on Solberg.
During the course of Rally Monte Carlo, Twitter.com/MINImotorsport will carry breaking news about the MINI WRC Team.
