WRC: ready for Rally of Turkey
Fresh from Petter Solberg's dominant victory in Greece, the Subaru-Pirelli team heads to the Rally of Turkey for the seventh round of the World Rally Championship. Conditions in Turkey are expected to be broadly similar to those seen in Greece, with rough roads and sharp rocks. Unlike last year, when the rally was run in February, Turkey is expected to be one of the hottest rallies of the season. The route takes in a wide variety of conditions on medium to fast gravel stages: a tough test for driver, car and tyres. Solberg's Pirelli-equipped Subaru Impreza has already won two rallies this season, but it has been in a position to win the last four events. The Norwegian is aiming to notch up Pirelli's 133rd World Rally Championship victory on the rocky roads of Turkey. In Turkey the tried and trusted XR evolution tyre that was used to win the Acropolis will once again be the base tyre choice. This tyre, offering excellent traction and braking performance, will be used in normal dry conditions. In case of exceptional weather, Pirelli drivers also have the new KP tyre at their disposal which made a winning debut in New Zealand with Solberg. Pirelli's Rally Manager, Fiorenzo Brivio, comments: "Turkey will be a like a brand new rally for everyone this year, because of its date change. We're expecting temperatures in excess of 30 degrees, where optimal performance and excellent durability from the tyres will be crucial." Solberg has been massively encouraged by Pirelli's pace of development: "Greece showed that the XR evolution tyres have taken yet another small but significant step forward. With the constant work Pirelli is doing I expect our tyres to perform even better in Turkey." KP, IF IT RAINS Like the Acropolis Rally, Turkey consists of medium to fast rough gravel stages, with some slower sections and water crossings. Alongside the proven XR evolution tyre, which is ideal for broken-up rough gravel, Pirelli drivers can also make use of the new KP tyre which is designed for wet conditions. As always, the P Zero tyre range will be equipped with Pirelli's EMI anti-deflation system. FOR ROUGH GRAVEL, IN NORMAL CONDITIONS XR (Size: 225/55-15) Steps: 3 and 5 (with evolutions) Description: For normal gravel conditions. Step 3 will be the base tyre choice in regular conditions. Step 5 (a softer compound) will be used in cooler conditions. Hand-cutting available to disperse loose gravel. FOR WET CONDITIONS KP (Size 205/65-15) Step: 2 only Description: This tyre will only be used in wet or muddy conditions. Step 2 is the hardest compound, offering excellent traction and braking. Hand-cutting available in case of thick mud. NB. The higher the step number, the softer the tyre compound. PIRELLI'S LINE-UP IN GREECE 2 Subaru Impreza WRC2004 Solberg-Mills* & Hirvonen-Lehtinen* 21Super 1600 Bernardi, Aava, Meeke, Broccoli, Cols, Baldacci, Cecchettini, Andersson, Biasion, Wilks, Katajamaki, Feghali, Chicherit, Barratt, Latvala, Scorcioni, Pons, Tabaton, Rautenbach, Betti, Marshall. 1 Subaru Impreza WRC Ginley-Kennedy 1 Ford Focus WRC Yazici-Okan 1 Fiat Punto Super 1600 Izik-Guleren 1 Fiat Palio Super 1600 Baciolu-Sumer *Eligible to score WRC manufacturer points