The disaster for Ford Rally Team is total. After Sebastien retired earlier today the chances for Ford rises while Petter Solberg was still on the road after Mikko Hirvonen. In SS 7 the chances for Ford Rally Team are over. Petter Solberg out of the road and crashed.
Hirvonen comments: “I’ve managed to come through with no problems or mistakes. It’s difficult to keep the rhythm but everything is fine. I need to be careful because there is a long way to go and lots of rocks to hit.”
Novikov comments: “It’s been a very good day, it was a bit slippery in the morning but in the afternoon it was fine. Now I have to stay concentrated to keep this position.”
Results after SS 8 - End of day 2:
1. M. Hirvonen 1:56:25.5
2. E. Novikov +1:09.6
3. O. Tanak +2:18.3
4. S. Ogier +3:35.7
5. C. Atkinson +3:54.9
6. A. Mikkelsen +4:40.3
The championship in WRC is very weak this year as a car much slower like S2000 is running currently at 4th position.