Cliches by definition are overused phrases or opinions, and usage describes a lack of original thought. To cliches in sport has become a cliche in itself. However, when I write the only aspect of rallying that is predictable is its unpredictability it is the most descriptive manner in which to relay the drama that unfolded on Day One of the WRC Rally Australia.
After a telling 1-2 after the two 3.77km super special stages on Thursday night, Citroën Total World Rally Team’s French aces were looking set to record another 1-2 performance on gravel. However, after SS4 (the second stage of Friday morning’s action the factory Citroën team was minus its seven-times World Rally Champions after they crashed out of contention in a slow left-hand corner while in the lead of the rally.
With the rally lead handed to teammates Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, the younger French squad posted a searing time in the next stage. Lady Luck seemed to abandon he Citroën team this weekend, as in SS6 Ogier too crashed and was forced to retire from the event.
Now with the two leaders and the favourites for the win out by the wayside, the ever-hungry Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team crews of Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala secured their top slots with a cushion over third-placed (and only remaining Citroën entrant) Petter Solberg/Chris Patterson (Petter Solberg World Rally Team). Hirvonen, who has been relentlessly chased by teammate Latvala over the eight treacherously slippery gravel stages. This Finn is also the winner of the last two editions of this event on the WRC calendar.
Latvala is seeking his first win of 2011, and he stands his best chance of that goal here. Whether the two teammates will be allowed to race each other on Days Two and Three will remain to be seen.
Leading the privateer Ford brigade is veteran Henning Solberg in his M-Sport Stobart Ford Fiesta RS WRC in fourth overall. It was Evgeny Novikov (privateer Ford Fiesta RS WRC) who crashed in SS7 and out of the rally. Henning’s teammate Matthew Wilson also survived a few scares to complete Day One fifth overall.
Khalid Al Qassimi/Michael Orr (M-Sport Stobart Ford Fiesta RS WRC) are lying in sixth overall after having benefited from the retirement of a number of WRC regulars. The list of retirements is as long as the list of entrants, with Ken Block (Monster World Rally Team), Daniel Oliviera (Brazil WRT), the two works Citroëns, Evgeniy Novikov (ALMRally Team) and Peter van Merksteijn Jr (Van Merksteijn Motorsport).
Day Two of the WRC Rally Australia gets underway with the 21.10km, with a further nine stages to follow before the overnight Parc Ferme.
Persistent rain has altered the face of this rally and if the changing weather conditions continue it is likely that drivers remaining in their machines will be praying for the rally to come to a premature end. The roads are beyond slippery and sticky: crews are having having to spend precious service time cleaning the excess mud off the car. Also, this adverse weather plays havoc with tyre choice. What will happen at the end of Day Two is anybodies guess.
