WRC: Ford seeking to complete Japanese hat-trick

The factory Ford WRC squad are approaching the upcoming Rally Japan in bullish mood about their chances of success, having triumphed in the event’s last two runnings.

Mikko Hirvonen and co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen claimed victory in Japan in both 2007 and 2008, and with the rally not on the schedule in 2009 a win at the upcoming event would make it three in a row for the Finns.

But whilst Hirvonen believes victory is possible he sees a strong finish as priority for his return to Japan.

"I should have the speed to fight for a win but my main target is to end the year with a series of strong finishes," said Hiroven, who currently sits sixth in the WRC standings.

"I enjoyed the type of roads here in 2008. They were fast, flowing and quite sandy. The championship hasn't been there for two years so it will be interesting to see if any work has been carried out on them."

And after a disappointing home event - where he crashed out early on - Hiroven is hoping to get up to speed quickly as the championship returns to gravel following the asphalt-based Rallye Deutschland.

"After crashing out in Finland so early I'm short of recent gravel competition, because the previous loose-surface rally was at the end of May. The shakedown in Japan is at Sapporo Dome, so there is no opportunity to benefit from a final test on a proper gravel stage. It may take a while to get back into the rhythm again on the first stage, but it shouldn't be a problem."

Meanwhile teammate Jari-Matti Latvala, who claimed victory at the Finnish event, is confident of a strong run on a surface he feels at his best on.

"My confidence is highest on that type of road and I want to fight for a podium. I had good speed when I won in Finland in July and the team is competitive in those conditions, so I'm confident a top three finish is possible,” said Latvala, whose best finish at the Rally Japan came in 2008, when he followed Hiroven home in second place.

And though still mathematically in the hunt for this year's title the Finn looks set to dispute second in the standings with Citroën’s Sebastien Ogier, with runaway leader Sebastien Loeb now looking set for a seventh consecutive WRC crown.

Watch WRC highlights from Rally Japan on Motors TV.


James Weeks

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