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TEAM TALK

Subaru and Wales Rally GB

Letter from SWRT
24 September 2004

Subaru has won seven of the last nine WRC Rally GBs. Like many of their SWRT predecessors, Wales Rally GB has become a special event for Petter Solberg and co-driver Phil Mills. The pair not only claimed their first WRC victory here in 2002, but also secured a consecutive win a year later, together with their first WRC Championship title. With such a strong record, how does the SWRT approach an event where expectations are so high? We spoke to Subaru World Rally Team Principal, David Lapworth to find out more:

In light of the teams track record here in Wales, do you approach Wales GB Rally differently other events?

No. If you have a good track record on an event, it gives you confidence, but we don't treat it any differently. It's important to approach it as you would any other rally. The way you win is by getting the process right and focusing on what matters. That's putting on the right tyres and not making any mistakes. That's the only way. If you know you can win, it makes it easier, but success doesn't mean we change our approach!

Why do you think the team does so well in Wales?

One factor is that we have extra confidence coming here so we can concentrate on doing things the same way that we've always done them. We don't over stretch ourselves or build up too many expectations. Another reason is that the fact we've often had a top British driver in the team, which has given us an advantage on their home rally. I think we've always had the driver that you would choose to win the event. We had Richard Burns and Colin McRae in previous years and now we have Petter - he might not be British, but the crowd certainly seem to be behind him. Pirelli have been at their best in the Welsh conditions too, so everything comes together here. As a team we know the event well, the car is good on gravel and Pirelli tyres perform well in tricky, slippery conditions.

Is there more pressure on you because the high expectations for the team in Wales?

I'd say the pressure actually becomes less. Expectations on the outside may be high, but in terms of pressure I think it's easier when you know that you haven't got to do anything special. People have been expecting us to win this event for the last five years and it's not been a problem before. We've come here fighting for the Championship, been expected to win and we have. I think you get to a certain point where it isn't a special pressure at all, but the opposite. We've been in this position so many times, that we'll just do the same as we did last time.

Wales Rally was the hardest finish I can remember,
but one of the best...

Petter talks after his victory on Wales Rally GB

Corona Extra, the official beer supplier to the Subaru World Rally Team have brought in some extra help for the boys in blue this weekend!

Wales Rally was the hardest finish I can remember, but one of the best. Sebastien is a very determined guy. We had the most incredible battle, this is a good result for the sport and we put on a great show - but it was not an easy task on Sunday!

It was great to be on top of the podium for the third time in a row here in Wales. It was a great, but very difficult rally. The conditions were difficult. It was slippery and muddy, it was rain and sun. We had it all in Wales.

The rally didn't start too good for Phil and me. We had some wrong settings on the rear front dumper on the first stages, and lost some time. But it was much better after we changed it before the stages on Friday afternoon.

Saturday morning it was the same story as Friday morning and Sebastien did really well. I was quicker in the afternoon. It was again very exciting out there - we had great fun! I would have liked to get closer to Sebastien. But I knew I had some speed in reserve for Sunday.

Sunday I had my Viking horns on and it was maximum attack to the finish! It was really, really good in the morning. Very, very tough. It was looking very good on the splits on the first stage, but then I made a mistake on a fifth gear corner, went off the road and got down to first gear before I could get back on the stage. I think I lost six or seven seconds. The plan was to catch Loeb, but the simple fact was that on the stage he was faster than me. Then I had to do it on the Margam stage.

On the first part of Margam it was very slippery. I hit rocks and everything, but when it dried I though, right, let's go and I absolutely nailed it. I tried everything, but it worked out.

I'm so pleased for everyone in the team, we have a great team atmosphere and we're going to carry it through to Sardinia. There we must go for another win. The tactic is simple for the rest of the season - go out and win as many rallies as possible!

It's only one week until we start the recce in Sardinia. This week I will be in Paris doping some commercials for Subaru, and I will also attend the Paris Motor Show on Thursday. Pernilla and Oliver will meet me in Paris, and we will also have the weekend together in Monaco. On Monday it is back to work - then on Sardinia. I think Sardinia will be a perfect rally for us. I think the rally will suit the Subaru, the Pirelli tyres and Mr. Mills and Mr. Solberg!!

TEAM TALK Subaru and Wales Rally GB Letter from SWRT 24 September 2004 Subaru has won seven of the last nine WRC Rally GBs. Like many of their SWRT predecessors, Wales Rally GB has become a special event for Petter Solberg and co-driver Phil Mills. The pair not only claimed their first WRC victory here in 2002, but also secured a consecutive win a year later, together with their first WRC Championship title. With such a strong record, how does the SWRT approach an event where expectations are so high? We spoke to Subaru World Rally Team Principal, David Lapworth to find out more: In light of the teams track record here in Wales, do you approach Wales GB Rally differently other events? No. If you have a good track record on an event, it gives you confidence, but we don't treat it any differently. It's important to approach it as you would any other rally. The way you win is by getting the process right and focusing on what matters. That's putting on the right tyres and not making any mistakes. That's the only way. If you know you can win, it makes it easier, but success doesn't mean we change our approach! Why do you think the team does so well in Wales? One factor is that we have extra confidence coming here so we can concentrate on doing things the same way that we've always done them. We don't over stretch ourselves or build up too many expectations. Another reason is that the fact we've often had a top British driver in the team, which has given us an advantage on their home rally. I think we've always had the driver that you would choose to win the event. We had Richard Burns and Colin McRae in previous years and now we have Petter - he might not be British, but the crowd certainly seem to be behind him. Pirelli have been at their best in the Welsh conditions too, so everything comes together here. As a team we know the event well, the car is good on gravel and Pirelli tyres perform well in tricky, slippery conditions. Is there more pressure on you because the high expectations for the team in Wales? I'd say the pressure actually becomes less. Expectations on the outside may be high, but in terms of pressure I think it's easier when you know that you haven't got to do anything special. People have been expecting us to win this event for the last five years and it's not been a problem before. We've come here fighting for the Championship, been expected to win and we have. I think you get to a certain point where it isn't a special pressure at all, but the opposite. We've been in this position so many times, that we'll just do the same as we did last time.

Wales Rally was the hardest finish I can remember, but one of the best... Petter talks after his victory on Wales Rally GB Corona Extra, the official beer supplier to the Subaru World Rally Team have brought in some extra help for the boys in blue this weekend! Wales Rally was the hardest finish I can remember, but one of the best. Sebastien is a very determined guy. We had the most incredible battle, this is a good result for the sport and we put on a great show - but it was not an easy task on Sunday! It was great to be on top of the podium for the third time in a row here in Wales. It was a great, but very difficult rally. The conditions were difficult. It was slippery and muddy, it was rain and sun. We had it all in Wales. The rally didn't start too good for Phil and me. We had some wrong settings on the rear front dumper on the first stages, and lost some time. But it was much better after we changed it before the stages on Friday afternoon. Saturday morning it was the same story as Friday morning and Sebastien did really well. I was quicker in the afternoon. It was again very exciting out there - we had great fun! I would have liked to get closer to Sebastien. But I knew I had some speed in reserve for Sunday. Sunday I had my Viking horns on and it was maximum attack to the finish! It was really, really good in the morning. Very, very tough. It was looking very good on the splits on the first stage, but then I made a mistake on a fifth gear corner, went off the road and got down to first gear before I could get back on the stage. I think I lost six or seven seconds. The plan was to catch Loeb, but the simple fact was that on the stage he was faster than me. Then I had to do it on the Margam stage. On the first part of Margam it was very slippery. I hit rocks and everything, but when it dried I though, right, let's go and I absolutely nailed it. I tried everything, but it worked out. I'm so pleased for everyone in the team, we have a great team atmosphere and we're going to carry it through to Sardinia. There we must go for another win. The tactic is simple for the rest of the season - go out and win as many rallies as possible! It's only one week until we start the recce in Sardinia. This week I will be in Paris doping some commercials for Subaru, and I will also attend the Paris Motor Show on Thursday. Pernilla and Oliver will meet me in Paris, and we will also have the weekend together in Monaco. On Monday it is back to work - then on Sardinia. I think Sardinia will be a perfect rally for us. I think the rally will suit the Subaru, the Pirelli tyres and Mr. Mills and Mr. Solberg!!