Ford’s leading WRC driver, Markko Martin, says the upcoming Rallye Deutschland – the first asphalt rally of the season – will dish out some of the most unpredictable conditions of the season.
Ford’s leading WRC driver Markko Martin says the upcoming Rallye Deutschland – the first asphalt rally of the season – will dish out some of the most unpredictable conditions of the season.
The Estonian driver is making a late bid for the 2004 drivers’ championship title after finishing second in the recent Finnish Rally, but he expects this weekend’s German event to be tough.
“There are many different road surfaces, and it’s not usual to find several surface changes on the same stage,” he said. “When it rains it’s difficult to spot which surface has good grip and which doesn’t. (The) Baumholder (section) is tricky because the roads are fast, the kerb stones are huge and, if it’s warm and dry, tyre wear becomes crucial.
“The vineyard roads demand total concentration because it’s easy to miss a braking point and overshoot a junction. Sand on the road is probably the biggest worry. It makes corners incredibly slippery and, with gravel crews banned, it will be difficult on the second pass through stages to spot where the danger places are.”
