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IIssuessue 218218 • 3131 JanuaryJanuary 20122012 hhttp://wp.me/pkXcttp://wp.me/pkXc PPERFECTERFECT STARTSTART TTOO 22012012 FFOROR HHIGGINSIGGINS AANDND SSUBARUUBARU IINN RRALLYALLY AAMERICAMERICA

TThehe world’sworld’s onlyonly freefree dedicateddedicated rallyrally eMagazineeMagazine - everyevery week!week!

IIssuessue 218218 • 3131 JanuaryJanuary 20122012

EEDITORIALDITORIAL INFORMATIONINFORMATION

Editor Evan Rothman

Favourite rally car? Audi Quattro S2 Current favourite WRC driver? Mads Ostberg Favourite WRC rally? WRC Rallye Deutschland Favourite rally? Total Rally, South Africa

Tweets too much about rallying, loves nothing more than spectating on a forest rally, and has aspirations of being the world’s greatest rally In 2012, we will bring YOU: journalist. He’s also oftentimes seen with a camera in his one hand and his mobile phone more opinions ringing in his pocket at the most inopportune times. more photographs more competitions more videos as you ASKED for in 2011!

Photojournalist Eva Kovkova

Favourite rally car? Citroën C4 WRC AADMINISTRATIVEDMINISTRATIVE INFORMATIONINFORMATION Current favourite WRC driver? Mads Østberg Contributors Liga Stirna, Patrick Vermaak, Motorpics, Favourite WRC rally? Vodafone Newspress. Favourite rally? White Nights Rally, Lahdenpohja, Russia

All content copyrighted property of HANDBRAKES & Likes to walk in the Swedish snow forests or on HAIRPINS, 2007-12. This publication is fully protected by Portuguese dusty hills, likes to freeze, to get wet copyright and nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part in the rain or to melt from the heat during photo without written permission from the editor. While reasonable hunts for fl ying cars and smiling faces. Also is precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of knowing as a press ice bear working for South information from sources and given to readers, the editor Africa :) cannot accept responsibility for any inconvenience or damage that may arise therefrom.

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To receive your FREE weekly HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS eMagazine, or if you’d like to share this with a friend please send your e-mail address to [email protected]. HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS is not a SPAM e-mail: email addresses are added to the mailing list voluntarily. START RAMP 07 YouTube and Rallying 08 IRC 2012 readies for Mikkelsen 09 Ford’s blonde stars CONTENTS SERVICE PARK 11 Sebastien Loeb in 2012

PARC FERME 15 Sno*Drift Rally 2012 OPENING SSHOTHOT WWithith 6060 daysdays remainingremaining toto thethe startstart ofof thethe 20122012 SouthSouth AfricanAfrican RRallyally Championship,Championship, thethe buzzbuzz surroundingsurrounding thisthis seriesseries isis ggrowingrowing asas thethe FIAFIA andand thethe WorldWorld RalyRaly ChampionshipChampionship showshow iinterestnterest inin hostinghosting a worldworld rally.rally. PPictureicture byby EEvanvan RRothman.othman. START RAMP YOUTUBE AND RALLYING: RRELIVEELIVE TTHEHE RRALLYEALLYE MONTE-CARLOMONTE-CARLO

Words: Evan Rothman Video #1: http://youtu.be/puXllWOn67E Video #3: http://youtu.be/ul3IbVLo_0g Picture: WorldRallyPics

The WRC Rallye Monte-Carlo produced its fair share of thrills and spills. The ever-changing weather conditions, the ever-changing surface conditions and the varying levels of traction for the tyres when all mated with the driving skill, the aggression from the racers and team orders made this a memorabel rally for fans of the World Rally Video #2: http://youtu.be/ajRGo2nseGU Video #4: http://youtu.be/iCP0KJnjcA0 Championship. For those who want more action from the WRC Rallye Monte-Carlo, these videos capture the action superbly, and will give you goosebumps! H&H IRC 2012 READIES FOR MIKKELSEN: WWILLILL HHEE WWININ SSATAATA RALLYRALLY AZORES?AZORES?

Words: Handbrakes & Hairpins for being the youngest driver to win a times, teaching him the rally driving Picture: IRC Series British national rally, score FIA World skills that took him to the WRC Drivers’ Rally Championship points and set a Championship titles in 2000 and 2002. Reigning Intercontinental Rally fastest stage time on a WRC event. In Mikkelsen took everything on board and Challenge champion Andreas 2012 he celebrates his 23rd birthday, there is a marked contrast in his driving Mikkelsen says he’s desperate to but he’s already driving rally cars for style during this period. win SATA Rallye Acores next month seven years. In addition to becoming IRC after coming close to success on the The young Norwegian has a champion in 2011, he also won the event last season. broad background in sport. He competed Italian Gravel Championship (Trofeo The Skoda UK Motorsport in all disciplines in skiing and was a Rally Terra) after winning the Rally star was embroiled in a tight battle for member of the Norwegian national Adriatico, Rally San Marino and the victory with factory Skoda driver Juho junior alpine skiing team at the age of Azzano Rally in a Skoda Rally Team Italia Hanninen until he was instructed to 12. In 2003 and 2004, he competed Fabia S2000. hold position in second place in order in motocross, also representing the SATA Rallye Acores forms to secure a one-two fi nish for the Czech national junior team. Round One of the 13-event IRC season manufacturer. A knee injury curtailed a in 2012. It takes place from 23 - 25 “I’m really motivated to win this promising ski career, and at 16-years old February on the island of Sao Miguel. H&H rally,” said Mikkelsen. “Of course it will Andreas turned his attention to rallying. be a great start to the year and great Too young to complete, he dedicated his for Skoda UK if I do, but after last year time to learning the art of making and I would really like to win this special using pace notes with his co-driver Ola event. It’s one of my favourite rallies Fløene and begin rally driver training in with a really good atmosphere and 2005 – at the wheel of the Focus WRC! amazing stages.” During 2008, Marcus Grönholm Mikkelsen holds the records drove, and sat next to, Mikkelsen many FORD’S BLONDE STARS: SOLBERG AND NOVIKOV SHINE

Words: Handbrakes & Hairpins 2003 World Rally Champion, and the diminutive Russian, but his video clip Picture: WorldRallyPics result is that the Norwegian was handed from the 2009 WRC nearly a suspended six-event ban and a €1,400 fl ipping his car over a jump recorded The WRC Rallye Monte-Carlo 2012 fi ne. hundreds of views. was something of a revelation for Of course, this did not deter the Novikov had just turned 17 Ford and their WRC campaign. ace from sweeping to a strong podium when he made his name in rallying, In this tricky and techhnical test, position in Monte Carlo, nor will it slow in a Subaru Impreza on the 2008 Ford’s crews were not only on the him down in stages. Fans will need to Russia Rally, competing against the podium, but were setting the pace... assist Solberg in curbing his enthusiam Intercontinental Rally Challenge’s (IRC) Speed in rallying is a must for between stages, however. stars. success. Controlled speed is the secret: His counterpart in a Ford Fiesta Now at 21, he’s completed there are times to throw caution to the RS WRC machine, Evgeny Novikov, 24 WRC starts. With the experienced wind, and times to know when to lift off also displayed the same speed and Frenchman Denis Giraudet his co-driver, for that half a second longer. Ask Petter aggression at Round One of the 13-event Novikov seems to have turned a new Solberg () about series, but he was able to contain his leaf in his mature approach to the sport: speeding, seeing as he collects speeding speed for the timed sections... “I learnt so much during the week. The tickets. As on the opening round of Novikov fi nished the WRC event stages were very varied and diffi cult to the WRC in 2011 in Sweden, Solberg fi fth overall, his fi rst fi nish on this unique learn, but there were really fantastic. was pulled over by the traffi c police for and iconic rally. To boot, he scored a And the atmosphere in the Col du Turini doing 106km/h in a 50km/h zone. The bonus point for his effort. and Lucéram tests was amazing!” H&H Gendarmes were quick to penalise the Little is known about the SERVICE PARK SSEBASTIENEBASTIEN LOEBLOEB IINN 22012:012: AAIMINGIMING TTOO MMAKEAKE IITT NNINEINE

Words: Evan Rothman Q: Win number 68 of your career the Power Stage also means your Pictures: Citroën Racing and your sixth win on Rallye Monte- season got off to the best possible Carlo. How did it feel to be back start... Interviewing an eight-times World competing there? SL: “It couldn’t be better. Great start Rally Champion is not something to SL: “For sure it is a pleasure for me to to take 28 points. There were nearly no take lightly. Having won 68 rallies, be back in Monte Carlo, but for different mistakes, a little mistake with the tyre most recently the WRC Rallye reasons. First, this is the most specifi c choice at the start, but there was some Monte-Carlo, the Frenchman is man rally of the year; it’s a rally which is in very good help from the team in the most in demand by PR agencies, France and it’s the home rally of my choices we made. [It was a] good drive journalists, his family, sponsors and co-driver. We won this rally a lot of and great atmosphere. Yes, it’s great to legions of fans. He was also recently times and one more time now. I’m really start the season like that.” recognised by the FIA as the most happy.” successful motorsport competitor in Q: What did you think of the fi ve-day the world. Ever. Q: Taking maximum points on format? SL: “I was not a fan, it’s not for me. ever, and his rivals will need to most Q: At the start of another WRC I think it’s a bit long. I think it’s a bit certainly up their driving in order to season, are you feeling as long for everybody: for the journalists, eclipse this ace. passionate as you ever were about the drivers and I’m not sure it brings defending your title? more media for the two extra days. Q: There are three manufacturers SL: “Yes. It’s for that that I’m here. For For the private drivers, it’s also more on the podium here; do you expect sure my goal is to try and get another complicated, I’m not a fan of that.” a big fi ght from not only Ford, but title, but it was another possibility to MINI as well in 2012? stop with eight. I still have the record Loeb has competed in the WRC for 152 SL: “You should ask Dani [Sordo] if he and I don’t take the risk to lose in my rallies, fi nished on the podium on 104 will be fast everywhere, he will try for last season. But I enjoy what I do: occasions and won a staggering 817 sure. But yes, it looks good to have driving and fi ghting. I’m really happy stage victories over that period. He is three manufacturers on the podium, to start again and the motivation is the the sport’s most winning competitor hopefully it continues like this.” same.” In 2009, Loeb was honoured by the like a dream. I felt comfortable from tyres for the circumstances.” French goverment when he was made the start of the rally and I managed to a knight of the Legion d’honneur. He get into a good rhythm. It’s a big gap What are his chances for Championship has also played a signifi cant role for the to second, but I wouldn’t say that this victory in 2012? With the installation of Peace and Sport organisation (read more was an easy win. We had to deal with Mikko Hirvonen as his team-mate in the here: http://www.peace-sport.org/). all sorts of conditions and my lead was Citroën Total World Rally Team, Loeb Not just a WRC icon, he is also multiple largely built on better tyre choices, has been given the opportunity to win winner of the Race of Champions! which were mainly down to the work of as often as possible to not only secure Citroën Racing’s technical team and our the Manufacturers’ title for the French Q: Finally, what can you say about tyre partner Michelin. For the fi rst time marque but also his ninth WRC Drivers’ the performance of your Citroën DS3 in a long time in WRC we were able to crown. This is most likely his last WRC? choose between fi ve types of tyres and attempt at the title... H&H SL: “The Citroën DS3 WRC worked we always managed to pick the right PARC FERME SNO*DRIFT RALLY 2012: HHIGGINSIGGINS DDRAWSRAWS FIRSTFIRST BLOODBLOOD

Words: Handbrakes & Hairpins Championship by winning 15 out of 24 time until after the fi rst service.” Pictures: SRTUSA; Service Presse stages. Last year, Sno*Drift winners “This is a good win,” said Travis and Terry Hanson made rally Ice-covered roads were the story Higgins, “The conditions were the most history by becoming the fi rst Super at the 38th annual running of the treacherous I have ever seen.” Production (SP) team to win an overall Sno*Drift Rally, the kick-off event Higgins fi nished the event event. This year the son and father to the 2012 Rally America National 01min 49.9sec ahead of Rockstar Energy duo took third overall for a consecutive Championship. But, it was Subaru Drink’s Antoine L’Estage and Nathalie Sno*Drift podium and secured the SP Rally Team USA’s David Higgins Richard. The Rockstar team never held Class win in dominant fashion. The fi nish and Craig Drew who managed the the lead, but they made considerable was all but miraculous as the team didn’t extreme conditions to take the time on Higgins on the fi rst leg of Day expect to complete the event due to overall win. Two and looked like they would get engine problems before the second day Higgins and Drew are the closer to challenging the Subaru driver. began. Due to the sound of their engine, reigning 2011 national champions, “We chose to use snow tyres it appeared it could fail at anytime. The and they took the fi rst step towards at the start of the day,” said L’Estage, team fought through the mechanical defending their title in the six- “versus Higgins’ ice tires. We just issues, however, and managed a round 2012 Rally America National gambled right and were making up good highly respectable podium spot while continuing to prove the competiveness national event since last year. narrowly beating Dillon Van Way and of the Super Production Class as a viable In the 2-Wheel Drive (2WD) Jake Blattner in their 2011 Ford Fiesta contender to the more powerful Open Class, Chris Duplessis and Karl Atkinson by 21sec. Class cars. once again topped the 2WD fi eld in A record breaking 65 teams The SP battle for second and their 2011 Ford Fiesta R2 winning all started the Sno*Drift Rally with a slew third place was fairly close considering the stages in Class and consistently of new competitors making a big splash. that the icy Sno*Drift conditions spread placed within the top ten overall. His Notably, Canadian Rally Championship the fi eld to greater-than-usual lengths. performance netted him the Sno*Attack regulars Leonid Urlichich and Carl Lauchlin O’Sullivan and Scott Putnam, title, a championship for 2WD cars run in Williamson entered Sno*Drift for their piloting an unfamiliar Mitsubishi Lancer conjunction with the Sno*Drift Rally. fi rst U.S. event and instantly challenged Evolution, held a 45.8sec advantage Even though they didn’t win, Travis and Terry Hanson for third place over newcomer driver David Sterckx and it was the inspired drive of Andrew overall, trading times throughout the co-driver Karen Jankowski. Comrie-Picard with Jeremy Wimpey in event. At one point, Hanson passed The Sno*Drift Rally is David a 2011 Scion xD that caused plenty of Urlichich on stage only to give up the Sterckx’s fi rst Rally America National buzz among the crowd. Comrie-Picard spot deep into Day Two. Urlichich did Championship event. Sterckx is a former quickly adapted to the new car, having fi nish third overall in the standings, but 2001 Belgium Rally Group N DR2 Champ been down as far as fi fth in class early the car failed post rally inspection and and has been preparing for his fi rst in the event to place second in 2WD, was penalized three positions to fi nish sixth overall. in to view the broadcast on Sno*Drift Rally Overall Classifi cation: 01) D. Higgins/C. Drew Urlichich protested the http://www.rally-america.com. Subaru Impreza WRX STI - 02h 42m 44.3s Steward’s decision and the Sno*Drift Next in the 2012 Rally America 02) A. L’Estage/N. Richard overall results will remain provisional National Championship is the Rally in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X + 01m 48.9s 03) T. Hanson/T. Hanson H&H pending the outcome of the protest. 100 Acre Wood on 24 - 25 February. Subaru Impreza WRX STI + 09m 37.0s Erik Zenz and Dave Parps 04) J. Burke/P. Robinson successfully swept the top spot at the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX + 17m 27.3s 05) J. Levac/S. Lewis Sno*Regional and Drift Regional Rallies Subaru Impreza WRX STI + 17m 46.7s in their 1988 Mazda 323. 06) L. Urlichich/C. Williamson The Sno*Drift Rally was Subaru Impreza WRX STI + 17m 47.2s 07) L. O’Sullivan/S. Putnam streamed online for the fi rst time Mitsubishi Lancer Evo + 24m 33.1s in event history. The video stream 08) D. Stercx/K. Jankowski brought snowy-stage rally action, driver Subaru Impreza WRX STI + 25m 18.9s 09) P. Moro/S. Crouch interviews and analysis by Rally America Subaru Impreza WRX STI + 26m 34.4s host, Matthew Johnson. Camera crews 10) E. Cline/G. Dorman used night vision technologies to give Subaru Impreza WRX + 29m 30.3s fans a never-before-seen glimpse of the late evening stages. 41 countries tuned

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