RALLY: McRaes Focus leads Safari Rally for Ford Martini
28 February 1999
Colin McRae and Nicky Grist lead Kenyas Safari Rally in the new Ford Focus World Rally Car after todays gruelling second leg. In blistering temperatures around the Equator and on tracks littered with rocks and deep pot-holes, the Focus, competing on only its third rally, was a model of reliability. The Ford Martini World Rally Team pairing ended the day with an incredible lead of 14min 46.4sec over Tommi Mkinen.The Safari, third round of the FIA World Rally Championship, is the longest, roughest and toughest event in the calendar. But apart from two punctures and a spin on the days second competitive section, McRae has required only routine maintenance to keep his Focus in good health over the 1255km route.
"We took a big gamble with our tyre selection on the final section," said the 30-year-old Scot. "We used tyres fitted with Michelins puncture resistant mousse, despite worries that it would be too hot for the mousse. Even though we lost time with a puncture, I think it was the right choice and Im sure we would have had more punctures if it hadnt been for the mousse tyres. We just had to drive carefully so as not to overheat them.
"Its still too early to start talking about victory. Weve got a good lead but weve seen on many occasions on this rally how easy it is to lose 10 or 15 minutes in a section. Were feeling confident about tomorrow but this rally is so unpredictable that Im sure there are more shocks and surprises in store," he added.
Ford Martini World Rally Team director Malcolm Wilson could not contain his happiness. "Its an unbelievable feeling to be leading. We always knew that the reliability of the suspension would be crucial on this rally and the combination of the strength of the Focus, Colins driving and the cars suspension have been brilliant.
"We were confident when we came out to Kenya but we had never tested the engine and transmission in temperatures above 20C. So far weve had no major problems and we must all hope that we can continue in the same fashion tomorrow," he added.
Petter Solberg and Fred Gallagher, in the second Ford Martini Focus, are seventh after another impressive display by the 24-year-old Norwegian driver on his first Safari Rally. Two punctures, one which the crew stopped to change, and a small misfire have been their only troubles.
"Im really getting to know how the car behaves now," said Solberg, making his debut in a Focus. "We lost time on the final section when we slowed to let Carlos Sainz go by but weve driven sensibly and carefully, easing off when it got rough and attacking hard on the smoother sections. Im looking forward to being at the finish tomorrow."
News from our Rivals
Yesterdays frontrunners both hit trouble today. Leader Richard Burns retired on the seventh section after a sheared bolt caused his Subarus track control arm to fall out. Carlos Sainz (Toyota), second overnight, lost over eight minutes on the opening section after puncturing three tyres, twice stopping to fit new rubber and driving the following 92km liaison section on three wheels. On the penultimate section he hit a large bump and broke a front left wheel rim. That damaged the shock absorber and he had to limp out, losing 20 minutes. Team-mate Didier Auriol enjoyed a troublefree day until the final section when three punctures cost 14 minutes and second place. A broken front driveshaft only 7km into the 87km seventh section, followed by a puncture near the end cost Tommi Mkinen (Mitsubishi) five minutes, additional time penalties as mechanics fought to keep him in the rally adding to the Finns frustrations. Team-mate Freddy Loix was released from hospital this morning after yesterdays heavy accident, the Belgian suffering from no more than severe bruising. Piero Liattis (Seat) only problem was no brakes on the days second section but team-mate Harri Rovanpera dropped more than 20 minutes with broken steering on the final section.
Tomorrows Route
Once again theres little respite for the drivers. They restart at 05.50 tomorrow to head south towards the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Once there they face three more tough sections, two of which are more than 112km long and all of which they tackled during yesterdays first leg. Before the finish back in Nairobi at 15.20, the survivors will repeat the short super competitive section on the edge of the city which began the rally on Thursday. Once again two cars at a time will tackle the section. The days total route is 615km long with more than 277km on competitive sections.
Key Stage
Nicky Grist: "The penultimate stage tomorrow is the shortest of the three normal sections but could be the most crucial. Its so rocky and twisty that theres a real danger of punctures so we must be extra careful. Its a real sting in the tail."