Red Bull Rallye Team’s Patrik Sandell will be full of confidence when he resumes his bid for the inaugural Super 2000 world title on Rallye de France, which takes place in the country’s Alsace region from September 30-October 3.
Driving a Skoda Fabia S2000 prepared by Raimund Baumschlager’s BRR operation, Sandell will start the asphalt event, which is being run for the first time this season, on the back of his stunning victory on the SWRC’s last sealed-surface round in Germany in August.
“The rally is new for everyone so I really don’t know what to expect but, for sure, I am 100 per cent confident,” said Sandell, 28. “It will be a big challenge but I know now that we are competitive on asphalt following our win in Germany and I have a good feeling for this rally as a result.”
Although Sandell has not had the opportunity to undertake a pre-event test, he said the data accumulated following an extensive development session in Austria last month, coupled with the experience gained of competing in Germany, will make him one of the favourites for victory in France.
“I am not worried we have not tested because we had a good run in Austria and covered more than 400 kilometres in Germany,” said the Swedish driver. “My team always support me with a very good car and we can confirm this during shakedown on Thursday.”
Sandell and co-driver Emil Axelsson geared up for Rallye de France by practicing their pacenote preparation on public roads in their native Sweden.
“I prepared brand-new pacenotes for Rallye Deutschland and they were very good,” said Sandell. “It could be a key for victory in France, when we also need to prepare brand-new pacenotes.”
Sandell is currently fourth in the SWRC standings, 22 points adrift of Xevi Pons and Martin Prokop. He needs to finish in front of the pair in France to keep his title dream alive heading into the season finale in Great Britain in mid-November.
“It’s still an open game and I believe I can win,” said Sandell of his title chances.
Rallye de France features 351.80 competitive kilometres over 20 special stages. Action gets underway at 0843hrs local time on Friday October 1 with the final stage around Haguenau town centre set to begin at 1336hrs on Sunday October 3.
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