Gronholm, Loeb, and Solberg eager to be there!

Leading the championship before the last two events of the 2007 championship, Marcus Grönholm enters a phase that no driver of this level has experienced before him. The stakes are high and mistakes on the Welsh roads will not forgive the drivers.

« I am really excited about this end of season, » explains Marcus.

« Winning the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles would be a wonderful way to end my career. I know it won’t be easy. Things can change very quickly in sports. There are two rallies left, we must be as strong and professional as we have been all season. »

For his part, Sébastien Loeb has already traveled twice to Ireland since the beginning of the year. On the occasions of the Donegal and Cork events, the Citroën driver claimed victory twice in order to prepare for next week’s Rally Ireland, with the obvious hope of winning it.

This new event, organized on asphalt, is frightening. Citroën and Ford have come several times to prepare as best as possible for a crucial meeting in the awarding of the world title.

« It doesn’t resemble anything we have ever faced in a World Championship on asphalt », summarizes Sébastien Loeb.

« Even if around Sligo there might be some differences compared to what we observed during our two discoveries, we expect to find roads that are sometimes extremely fast, very narrow, lined with high banks, and, to make matters worse, very bumpy. This mix promises to be tricky to navigate, especially knowing that we absolutely have to win. The game will be tight, but we are very motivated to play it to the fullest! »

Like the majority of drivers in the FIA World Rally Championship, Petter Solberg will be discovering the Irish roads. The Subaru driver is especially looking forward to a great atmosphere!

« I have never participated in a rally in Ireland before, it will be a first in my career, » states the Norwegian.

« But I am eager to be there. The Irish fans are true rally enthusiasts. It will be fabulous to perform in front of so many people. »

Unlike the Citroën and Ford drivers, Petter Solberg did not have the chance to prepare for the Rally Ireland by participating in a local championship event. The Norwegian regrets it: “I would have liked to discover the surface and get my bearings. But we have prepared well, and I am 110% focused!”

In the championship, Gronholm will need to finish with 7 points more than Loeb next week to secure a title before the final rally in Great Britain.