Citroën's Quest for the Holy Grail Beating the Finns on Their Own Turf

CITROËN'S QUEST FOR THE HOLY GRAIL…BEATING THE FINNS ON THEIR OWN TURF….

In more than half a century, just four non-Finnish drivers have ever won the 1000 Lakes Rally, highlighting the challenge that confronts Citroën this weekend (7-10 August 2003) when it bids to win the Rally of Finland this weekend with its Scottish, French and Spanish drivers.

But one of those three Citroën drivers is also one of the four non-Finnish drivers who have performed motorsport’s miracle and beaten the Finns on their home turf. Carlos Sainz won here in 1990, a feat he will try and repeat in 2003 with his Citroën Xsara WRC. Bidding to follow in his footsteps will be Colin McRae/Derek Ringer and Sébastien Loeb/Daniel Elena in their Citroën Xsara WRCs. It should also be noted that Citroën has won this event … in 1962 when a Citroën DS19 crewed by Pauli Toivonen and Jaakko Kallio took the top spot!

Finland's road system features an extensive network of gravel arteries. Designed to withstand the assaults of the region's long, tough winters, these superb roads wind their way gently – with very few sharp turns – through a landscape of pine trees and countless lakes. At the same time, they hug a barely undulating terrain that was sculpted during the ice age and consequently include a high proportion of crests and brows. This characteristic means that the average speeds recorded during Rally Finland are amongst the highest of the championship. It also accounts for the event's celebrated 'third dimension': its famous 'yumps' that cause the cars to spend a high proportion of their time airborne!

"The jumps are difficult to judge," explains Sébastien Loeb. "They all look the same as you approach them. Like a wall that rises up in front of you. After that, all you can see through the windscreen is sky. It's only after the crest that you get to see the 'landings strip' and find out whether or not you're on the right line…!"

In 2002, Citroën's first attempt at this rally enabled the team to harvest an excellent crop of data and information.

"The Xsara's 'in flight' balance was good," analyses Technical Manager Jean-Claude Vaucard. "The car stayed horizontal in the air and landed on all four wheels. But we weren't as at ease over the narrower, cut-up stages. During the winter break, we worked for this event by isolating the different parameters: vertical performance, differential mappings, etc. Even though further work remains to be done in this field, we have made progress. As far as new developments are concerned, we will be using new rear brake callipers. These improvements were all validated during a test session in Finland organised after the Cyprus Rally. All our drivers had a chance to drive over the two main types of terrain found on the event, namely the wider, hard- packed roads and the narrower, softer ground."

With no local drivers in its line-up, the Citroën team knows it won't be starting this event as favourite since, more than anywhere else, local knowledge makes a primordial contribution. Even so, Colin McRae, Sébastien Loeb and Carlos Sainz are determined to do everything in their power to ensure Citroën comes through the Finnish challenge with extra valuable championship points in the bank.

Telefónica Movistar, Michelin, Magneti-Marelli, Kinetic, OZ, AIS and Citroën Financement Team Citroën Total's partners in the World Rally Championship. Questions to Guy Fréquelin…

Citroën started Rallye Deutschland as favourites and lived up to expectations. Confidence and motivation are both running high in the team. Is this important going into Rally Finland…? "Of course! That said the fact that we have now achieved our objective of scoring three wins in 2003 means that we have put ourselves under extra pressure. Everyone knows that success breeds a desire for success. We are now hungry for more. At the same time, had it not been for a number of errors due to our inexperience, we could have figured even more favourably in both championship standings today. We must turn that into something positive… "

Do you view Rally Finland as the most difficult round of the calendar? "It's certainly the event in which we were the least competitive last year. This was for a variety of reasons we have since had time to analyze. The car has progressed, but will that be enough? This year's event will tell us. Sébastien has another year with the Xsara under his belt and we will be able judge what Carlos and Colin's experience of the terrain brings to the table…"

Do you think the Xsara can win? "You cannot underestimate the importance of local knowledge in Finland. That said, I believe our drivers have the talent to win. Their ability to do so depends on the work we have done to the car. Without going as far as talking in terms of winning, if we don't finish inside the top five, with one car on the podium, it will mean we haven't progressed sufficiently…"

…to Sébastien Loeb…

You have shown an astonishing ability to repeat your exploits of 2002 in both Monte Carlo and Germany. How do you explain this? "It's not easy to analyze rationally. Is it because I say to myself that since I've done it once I can do it again? Does the fact that I have already succeeded lead to higher expectations – and the pressure that goes with them – in everyone? Germany was much more delicate this time round. At times, either because we weren't on the ideal tyres, or in order not to lose too much time though wet portions on dry weather tyres, we compensated to the extent that we often flirted with the limit of what was reasonable." Compared with your previous visits to Finland, how did competing in the 2002 event with a WRC car help you? "I think that having done one event at full, WRC-level speeds will have helped a great deal as far as speed over the jumps is concerned. In 2001, the weight of the Super 1600 Saxo was essentially at the front, so I tended to lift over the jumps. Which means that last year I wasn't very sure of the best way to tackle them. It was tough for me to imagine that a WRC car could soak up the forces associated with landing so easily. Now I know…"

What sort of result can you look forward to in Finland this year? "Last year, after attacking as hard as possible during the second runs through those stages covered twice, I realised that I had some way to go before being on a par with the best. The Xsara has progressed, and that should make my job easier, but I must be realistic. I have cautiously set myself the objective of bringing back a few extra points from Finland…"

…to Colin McRae… Page 3

The impression of observers, and one that was reinforced in Germany, is that you are now at one with the Xsara. It seems to enable you to drive in your own special, spectacular style. Would you agree with this? "It's true I was very confident with the Xsara in Germany. I was delighted with the way it handled. I felt at ease and in harmony with the car. I hope it will be the same on every rally."

Rally Finland hasn't been one of your most successful events to date. Do you enjoy it? Where would you rank it in your list of personal favourites? "To tell the truth, it's one of my favourites. It's a difficult event, but the one I enjoy the most. Really, I like it a lot…"

There are various theories concerning the best way to take the jumps. What is your personal technique for noting and tackling them? "The problem is that there isn't a standard jump. There are hundreds of different jumps. The way you tackle them is different each time. There's no set technique. For certain jumps, you really have to take them flat out. With others, it is wiser to lift. With my note-taking system, I give them different graduations. Not figures, more a description. This information tells me how to tackle each jump…"

…to Carlos Sainz…

Your win in 1990 in Finland, an event considered impossible to win for a Latin driver, made the headlines. What do you remember of that day? "For sure it was a tremendous moment. Above all, it was fun to win there. Certain Finns didn't take it well, but others found it fantastic. In fact, like everywhere else, I think I had my detractors in Finland, but I also had my fans! I also think that winning over their extremely specific stages meant that I was more respected by the Finns afterwards as a driver."

In those days, there were no limits on recce and you practiced with out-and-out rally cars. With the current format of rallies, do you think the same sort of exploit is still possible? "I do think it is still possible. All you need is a competitive car and lots of confidence. To win in Finland, you have to know the stages practically by heart, know exactly where you can put your wheels. But the stages have changed in recent years. They are no longer quite the same."

What particular aspects of the Xsara has it been necessary to work on to optimise its handling on such a specific event as Rally Finland, notably over the jumps? "During our testing in Finland, the car handled well through the fast portions and over the jumps. So we shall see how it goes…"

Facts and figures:

The 2003 Neste Rally Finland is the 53rd running of the event. It was organised for the first time in 1951 under the appellation 'Jyväskylän Suurajot' (the big race of Jyväskylä). From 1954 until 1996, it was known by the poetic name of 1000 Lakes Rally (and still is by many fans). Jyväskylä, a university town in central Finland that has grown up on the northern shores of Lake Päijänne, is 260 km north of Helsinki. Total length of the three-day event is 1,663.66 km, including 403.34 km against the clock Page 4

As in 2002, shakedown (Thursday August 7th, from 08.00 a.m. until noon) will take place at Laajavuori where the ski jump affords a great view of Jyväskylä. The single service park will once again be located at the Paviljonki International Congress Centre near the harbour. The opening leg has a total distance of 592.47 km and features ten stages (140 km). It begins on the evening of Thursday August 7th (19.00) with the Killeri super-special. Four groups of stages follow on Friday August 8 th: Jukojärvi 1/Kruunumpera 1, Valkola/Lankamaa/Laukaa/Ruuimäki, Jukojärvi 2/Kruunumpera 2 and Killeri 2. The menu of Leg 2 (732.66 km, including 165.43 km against-the-clock) includes seven stages divided into three groups: Päijälä/Ouninpohja 1, Urria/Ouninpohja 2/Ehikki and Moksi-Leutsu/Himos. The third and final leg (338.53 km, including 97.91 km in stages) is made up of two loops of three stages each: Parkkola1/Mökkiperä 1/Palsankylä and Kuohu/Parkkola2/Mökkiperä 2. Carlos Sainz has competed in Finland on twelve previous occasions. After finishing 6th in 1988 and 3rd in 1989, the Spaniard became the first of only two non-Nordic drivers to have ever won in Jyväskylä (1990). Since then, he has taken part in 1991 (4th), 1994 (3rd), 1996 (retired), 1997 (retired), 1998 (2nd), 1999 (3rd), 2000 (14th), 2001 (6th) and 2002 (4th). Colin McRae has started this event eight times: 1992 (8th), 1996 (retired), 1997 (retired), 1998 (retired), 1999 (retired), 2000 (2nd), 2001 (3rd) and 2002 (retired). Sébastien Loeb took part in 2000 (Saxo 'Challenge', retired), 2001 (Saxo Super 1600, 1st in class) and 2002 (Xsara WRC, 10th). For the record, Citroën has already won this event… in 1962. The victorious DS19 was driven by Pauli Toivonen and Jaakko Kallio.

(ends)

For further information:

Citroën Australia Media Web Site: http://media.ateco.com.au/

Miles Williams Tel: (02) 9558 7111 General Manager Fax: (02) 9558 7722 Citroën Australia Mob: 0419 800 520 E-Mail: [email protected] Edward Rowe Tel: (02) 9558 7111 Public Relations Manager Fax: (02) 9558 7722 Citroën Australia Mob: 0407 913 244 E-Mail: [email protected]

Web site: www.citroen.com.au EJR/ejr/007 5/18/2018