Present:
Dean Herridge - PWRC
Mirco Baldacci - PWRC
Marc van Dalen - Kronos Total Citroën World Rally Team
Marcus Grönholm - BP-Ford World Rally Team
Henning Solberg - OMV Peugeot Norway
Chris Atkinson - Subaru World Rally Team

Welcome to the pre-event FIA press conference.

Q:
Dean, how does it feel to be competing in the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship for the first time, and on your home event? What’s your aim for the rally? How has the Australian Championship gone for you this season?

DH:
It’s a great chance for me. We did some of the recces last year, but this is the first time I have competed in the Production Car WRC. The ultimate aim for me is to win it, but I’m not big-headed enough to think that’s going to be easy. I have led it before and we have some good experience and the car is as good as last year. For the Australian Championship, the big move for us was that Subaru Rally Team Australia withdrew, I had the chance to stay and do some asphalt rallies, which I did, and then the Championship, but it was a private effort this season. We didn’t have much of a budget. That’s where some of the confidence comes from; I showed some great pace in a Championship which I believe has some of the best Group N drivers in the world.

Q:
Mirco, you competed here in 2004 and finished 10th overall; what are your chances of improving on that result? Is this an event you enjoy?

MB:
It’s not easy to drive here. The stages I like and I will try to push again. I really enjoy and I hope for a good rally. It’s not easy only the second time, but I will try to take more points. It is very difficult, the stages are very fast and very narrow. They’re not easy, but we will try.

Q:
Dean, how important is this rally in your season? What assistance have you had to compete here? Does the PWRC series figure in your plans for the future?

DH:
What makes it more important is that I’m from Perth. It’s disappointing to lose the rally (from Perth), it’s going to be a huge finale for me. We have a big history and a lot of memories of 20 years of rallying. My father competed here before and now me. The cream on the top is to be part of the Production Car WRC. A podium would be nice. We worked hard on Rally Australia to try and get a wild card entry, but then we didn’t need it. We’ve had lots of help from local businesses and supporters, people who have helped us for a number of years. We haven’t had a shakedown, like the rest of the year. Tonight (the super special stage) will be my shakedown. I hope to think Production will be part of my plans. It’s hard though, for Australians to make it on to the world scene for one reason or another. I hope this can be a stepping-stone for the future, but I’m not thinking this will make it all happen for me.

Q:
You’re still hunting for that first Production win Mirco; will it come here? You’re one of the few drivers who have wide experience of both Production and Junior cars, which do you prefer? Your Mitsubishi is run by Nobuhiro Tajima’s team - Monster Sport - does that mean you’re in line for a Suzuki drive next season?

MB:
I will try to push, but it’s very difficult. Maybe I prefer Production cars, it’s more easy to drive and more easy to drive on the gravel. I don’t know about the Suzuki drive, I hope!

Q:
Marcus, you’re running first on the road here, so how difficult will that be? How does it feel not having Sébastien here? You’ve won and had a couple of big accidents here, what do you think of this rally? I believe there was an electrical fault with Mikko’s car at shakedown, is everything okay with your car and is his now fixed?

MG:
Yeah, but I am expecting rain today - it will be fine, no problem. Of course, it’s not ideal to start first. Some of the stages have a lot of loose gravel, but I try not to think about it. I think it’s possible to win. Okay, when he (Sébastien Loeb) is in the rallies it’s always a big fight, but I am still sure the Subarus - Chris and Petter - can really be fast here. Petter was already fast in Turkey. We have to see. I need to do my best, it’s not so easy. It’s one of my favourite rallies, but the last three years have not been good for me. I don’t know exactly what the problem was with Mikko’s car, but I don’t think there is anything to worry about.

Q:
Marc, can you tell us why you didn’t bring Colin McRae to Australia? Does this mean you’ve given up hope of winning the Manufacturers’ title? And what’s the update on Sebastien?

MvD:
In fact there are different reasons. First, we are a private team and on this side it’s difficult to close the budget. Two cars instead of three is less expensive at this rally. The second reason is that it’s impossible to fight with Marcus, even if we are very proud of the job that Colin did in Turkey. I remember it was bad weather and the conditions were very tough on that event. The third reason is that Xevi (Pons) made a good rally in Turkey, he’s back at the right level and it’s the right time for him to have a go in the number one car. We are eight points behind Ford and there are 54 before the end of the season; anything can happen. There are only 10 world rally cars at the start here, so it’s important to be at the finish. I honestly hope Seb will be back as soon as possible. This is not only for us, but also Marcus, it’s not nice for him to be on his own! At the moment we don’t know, every day things are improving. We hope to have him in New Zealand, but nothing is certain.

Q:
Henning, you must be full of confidence after your third place in Turkey; what can you do here? You’ve never competed in Rally Australia before, what are you expecting?

HS:
This is my first time. After the recce it was very difficult. It’s fast, narrow and slippery; it’s not going to be easy, but our target is top five. I will push for points. I have to see after the first stage - I am very brave, so I think I can do some top times. You have to forget the trees, put your brain in the back seat and go flat out to be fast here.

Q:
Being your home event Chris, this must be one of your favourites but do you feel more pressure? And what about the move to Brisbane in 2008, that must be good for you?

CA:
For me the pressure’s no different or any greater than the pressure I put myself under. And sometimes you can go better under the pressure. We showed we had speed on this event last year, but there were a few problems. If we can do that agan this time without the problems, it could be good. I think, all the drivers enjoy coming here. I’ve only done this event twice before, but it’s been good. We’ve been fast here. It’s a great thrill to drive on these roads: they’re narrow and fast and that’s the kind of thing that gets a driver going. It’s a shame it’s going (from Perth), there’s been plenty of innovation from this rally. We all know about the super special at Langley Park and the way this event has made such a success of that. I remember coming to watch it before. We have to remember all of that and all of the people who have worked hard on this event. It’s important, though, that we have world rallying in Australia.

Q:
Before you came to Perth you were in Surfers Paradise for the Champ Car World Series race, what was that like? Do you fancy a shot in a single-seater?

MG:
I was not driving, I was doing some PR. It was good, nice.

Q:
Your cars are red not blue here, why is that Marc? It’s almost November, do you know what your plans are for Kronos next season? What are your instructions for Xevi (Pons) and Dani (Sordo) here?

MvD:
Everybody remembers the deal at the start of the year was late. I only had one month to close the deal with Gaulloise. I am looking for sponsors, if anybody can help me, I’m here! The car is red to thank Citroën for its help. Unfortunately we have no deal yet (for next year), but we’re working hard for an M2 team with two drivers with Xsaras and maybe the C4 later. The only instruction (to Xevi and Dani) is not to use Super Rally. If we can keep the cars on the road, we can be in a good position. We can’t fight Marcus, but it would be fantastic to have two cars in the top five.

Q:
How was shakedown for you? Given that you’ve never been here before, would you have preferred a ‘proper’ stage for shakedown, rather than the super special? And what of the Peugeot, how have you been getting on with it this season?

HS:
It was very slippery and maybe this is the same as out in the forest. I always do my changes after the first stage. I will go as fast as I can through stage one and see after that. It’s a very tricky car to drive – you have to work with both pedals (brake and accelerator) together all of the time. Sometimes I lose my brakes, which is a problem. I  have to say I like it, we have to see if we can get some results in these last three rallies though.

Q:
This hasn’t been a great season for the Subaru team, are things getting better and can the team win a rally this season?

CA:
We’re making steps forward. It’s not going be easy and we all know that. The steps are small, but they’re helping with confidence in the car for Petter and I. These faster rallies towards the end of the season will suit our cars and tyres a little bit better. It’s going to be difficult with Marcus, and if Sébastien comes back; they’re at a really high level and confident with their cars. I hope it’s not too far away before it’s all working right and we can fight a bit more. It would be good to get on the podium and get back to where we were at the end of last year.

Q:
There’s talk of storms coming in tomorrow, what sort of weather would suit you Marcus?

MG:
It seems like we have in my home rally in Finland; if it rains a lot, it’s not good, but a small amount is good; it gives more grip. If it’s raining okay and if not, then okay too!

Q:
Marc, what did you make of the recent decisions regarding the sport? Are you happy with the calendar produced for next season and also having one for 2008 so early? What about the six-engine rule?

MvD:
Generally, I think all the teams want less rallies. We were happy with 12 rallies, so 16 is not so good. Next year is okay, but I didn’t check the following season. Generally we have to reduce the costs, but this is not only technically. We need more help from the organisers, we need hotels and this kind of thing. The logistical side can be expensive as well.

Q:
I believe you were doing a bit of surfing on Monday, good fun? Do you miss the Australian lifestyle travelling on the WRC all season?

CA:
It’s nice. I was home for a few days before this and went for a swim and a run down the beach; it’s always good fun and a bit different from Banbury!

MvD:
Just one thing, it is the birthday of Daniel Elena (co-driver to Sébastien Loeb), 34 today. We are thinking of him. If anybody can sing for him, it will be good!