KEY POINTS:
Flying Finn Mikko Hirvonen is looking to get back to winning ways at this weekend's Rally of New Zealand to clip the wings of standings' leader Sebastien Loeb.
Ford's Hirvonen has not got one over his rival since the Rally of Turkey in June, placing a disappointing fourth in the last World Rally Championship outing in Germany, to fall four points adrift of the top slot.
"The roads in New Zealand have a good rhythm and they are so smooth that there's no need to worry about damaging the car on rocks," said Hirvonen, who finished second here in 2006.
"It's important to win rallies for our title challenges but if I can't do that then I have to score as many points as possible," added the 28-year-old Finn.
The New Zealand circuit is famed for its fast gravel roads and the beautiful landscape of the Waikato region. Blind bends and hair-raising jumps make for a bumpy and challenging drive.
And it is a course that championship leader Loeb relishes.
"I have always enjoyed this rally ever since I first came here in 2002. The lush green backdrop to the stages is magnificent," said the Frenchman.
The four-time world champion Citroen C4 driver added: "The stages are fast and technically demanding, but the cars don't suffer. It's certainly one of my favourite events."
Loeb's team-mate Dani Sordo will be hoping to capitalise on his second placing in Germany to claw back some much-needed points.
"It's a long way to get there, but I love the New Zealand stages and also the country itself," says Sordo, who sits third in the drivers' championship, some 33 points behind Loeb.
"I'm expecting it to be very close again, and I intend to approach the three days very cautiously, although I would very much like to target another podium finish," the speedy Spaniard added.
- AFP
