Munchi’s under pressure in Argentina

After securing fifth and seventh places at the Rally of Mexico a few weeks ago, the Argentine team Munchi’s Ford hopes to achieve another good result in front of their home crowd for the fourth event of the 2008 season.

The Argentine rally will be only the second of the ten events in the Munchi’s team program this season. It will mark the return of co-owner Luis Perez Companc at the wheel of a Focus after Henning Solberg’s appearance at the Rally Mexico, usually under Stobart’s colors, but exceptionally loaned to Munchi’s.

Absent from a rally seat since the Wales Rally GB in December, Companc was able to enjoy a day and a half of testing in the Greystoke forest, not far from Cumbria in England. He thus covered his first kilometers behind the wheel of a Ford Focus RS WRC07. On the dry surface, he was able to work on the settings in preparation for the specifics of Argentine roads.

Despite this encouraging test, Companc does not hide that he fears the pressure from his supporters: “I am anxious because I know it is very important to represent Argentina well and to show that we have our place in the WRC,” he explains.

« Last year, we received a very warm welcome and even though we experienced some problems, we recorded good times on the last day. This is my first rally since GB last year. It will take me a bit of time to get back into the competition rhythm. The tests helped me with dry conditions. »

In the other Ford Focus RS WRC, we once again find Federico Villagra, a native of Villa Carlos Paz and the Argentine Champion of 2006 and 2007. His 2008 season began with a seventh place at the Rally Mexico and a victory in the first round of the Argentine championship in Cordoba.

Scoring points Drivers in Mexico was a real boost to prepare for the Rally Argentina organized in my city, comments Villagra.

« We have a car capable of winning, I am confident for the race in Argentina. The idea is to score points in the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships by relying on the experience we have from this rally. We are now ahead of Suzuki in the standings. This will be my first start at home with a WRC. I have many friends and my family in Villa Carlos Paz, I am really excited before the start. »

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