CHRISTIAN HORNER: “It was a fantastic team performance today. The team and both drivers did a fantastic job to secure a dominant front row lock out. Grid position is very important here, it’s also one of the longest runs to the first corner, so we’re starting the Grand Prix in the best possible positions. Hopefully we can have a successful race tomorrow.”

(Renault) FABRICE LOM: ”Our eleventh pole position. We really have a quick car this year and have been such a strong force on Saturdays. We have to build on this performance tomorrow and take advantage to score the maximum points tomorrow. It’s not a difficult track for engines here and power is not the most important factor – I hope we convert this to a one / two result.”

Practice 3 Mark Webber: P1 Best Time: 1:19.574, Laps: 17, Chassis 3
Sebastian Vettel: P2 Best Time: 1:20.058, Laps: 15, Chassis 2

BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team drivers Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila won a thrilling Rally Finland today to earn a place in the history books. The Finns won this eighth round of the FIA World Rally Championship for the first time by 10.1sec in a Ford Focus RS World Rally Car, joining a long list of Finnish greats who have triumphed in their home event.

Latvala and Anttila were mobbed by their fellow countrymen as they took to the podium in Jyväskylä this evening.  Twenty-five-year-old Latvala, already the youngest driver to win a world rally, became the youngest winner of Rally Finland since the WRC started in 1973.  It was Ford’s second consecutive victory in the legendary event following the success of Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen in 2009, and the manufacturer’s fourth win in five years.

After a short opening speed test on Thursday evening, organisers packed 18 more stages and 310.05km of action into just two long and demanding days instead of the usual three, providing a blend of sprint and endurance.  The rally was fought out over dauntingly fast roller-coaster forest roads in central Finland, and it lived up to its reputation as the fastest in the championship with average speeds reaching 133.09kph.

The weather was as hot as the action on the stages.  The rally began on a day when the thermometers recorded Finland’s highest-ever temperature of 37.2ºC.  The heatwave gave way to thunderstorms which left much of central Finland without electricity yesterday while many roads were blocked by fallen trees, but the rally ran without interruption.

Latvala moved into the lead yesterday afternoon, building a 9.1sec overnight advantage.  He extended that to 22.5sec this morning before road conditions turned against him.  Overnight rain, which bound together slippery surface gravel and provided more grip, died out and a stiff breeze quickly dried the roads.  Latvala was first in the start order and faced the unwanted task of sweeping loose stones from the surface to leave cleaner and faster conditions for those behind.

His lead dropped to 10.6sec with two tests remaining, but Latvala remained unflustered in the face of huge pressure to record his fourth WRC victory and second win of the 2010 season.

“It’s amazing to win my home rally and it’s something I have dreamed of since I was a small boy,” he said.  “The first time I watched this rally was in 1992 when I was seven and the only thing I could think about then was that I would never be able to drive as fast as the stars I was watching.  In 2003 I drove this rally for the first time and still I never thought I would win.  To win in front of my home fans, in a country where rallying means so much to everyone, is a dream.

“The team had some difficult times in the summer but both drivers led this rally and I won.  It’s a hugely important victory for the team and Ford.  It was only during the final two stages that I really thought I could do it.  I’ve learned that if you relax and make no mistakes then you can have a good rally.  There have been so many people watching and it was a fantastic atmosphere – this is the best rally in the world,” he added.

Team-mates Hirvonen and Lehtinen retired from the lead yesterday morning after crashing heavily following a jump, while the third car of Abu Dhabi’s Khalid Al Qassimi and Michael Orr also rolled into retirement yesterday afternoon.  Neither crew was injured.

BP Ford Abu Dhabi team director Malcolm Wilson was delighted to oversee victory in his favourite rally.  “After a difficult few months, the team has dug deep and bounced back to win the most celebrated rally in the calendar.  There has been so much effort and commitment from the entire team in recent weeks and this is our reward.  It was a stunning drive from Jari-Matti.  There was a lot of pressure on his young shoulders when Mikko Hirvonen crashed out yesterday but he handled it superbly and displayed great maturity in a difficult situation,” he said.

Ford of Europe motorsport chief Gerard Quinn said: “There is no better place for Ford to win a rally than Finland.  It is one of motorsport’s classic events and to triumph here, after leading for virtually the entire event, is a dream come true.  Jari-Matti joins some of Ford’s great Finnish drivers who have won their home event, world champions like Marcus Grönholm, Ari Vatanen and Hannu Mikkola.  He faced intense pressure here for two days but the mature way in which he handled it shows how well he is progressing as one of the sport’s rising stars.”

News from other Ford teams

Stobart M-Sport Ford’s Matthew Wilson and Scott Martin finished sixth in a Focus RS WRC, two places ahead of Finnish rally legend Juha Kankkunen and Juha Repo.  The four-time world champion returned to the sport for a one-off guest appearance almost eight years after his last WRC event.  Henning Solberg and Ilka Minor crashed out yesterday in the team’s third car.

Next round

The championship returns to asphalt next month when drivers tackle vineyard tracks and military roads in Rallye Deutschland.  The rally is based in Trier on 19 – 22 August.

Final positions
1.  J-M Latvala/M Anttila               FIN             Ford Focus RS   2hr 31min 29.6sec
2.  S Ogier/J Ingrassia                 FRA             Citroen C4              2hr 31min 39.7sec
3.  S Loeb/D Elena                      FRA             Citroen C4              2hr 31min 55.6sec
4.  P Solberg/C Patterson               NOR             Citroen C4              2hr 32min 00.3sec
5.  D Sordo/M Marti                     ESP             Citroen C4              2hr 33min 14.6sec
6.  M Wilson/S Martin           GBR             Ford Focus RS   2hr 37min 13.3sec
7.  M Østberg/J Andersson               NOR             Subaru Impreza  2hr 37min 20.4sec
8.  J Kankkunen/J Repo          FIN             Ford Focus RS   2hr 39min 18.6sec
9.  J Hänninen/M Markkula               FIN             Skoda Fabia             2hr 40min 34.6sec
10 P-G Andersson/A Fredriksson  SWE             Skoda Fabia             2hr 41min 45.3sec

Drivers
1.  S Loeb                      166pts
2.  S Ogier                     118pts 
3. J-M Latvala 105pts
4.  P Solberg                     90pts                
5.  M Hirvonen            86pts
6.  D Sordo                       77pts

Manufacturers
1.  Citroen Total               265pts
2.  BP Ford Abu Dhabi 210pts
3.  Citroen Junior              155pts
4.  Stobart M-Sport Ford        108pts
5.  Munchi’s Ford                 40pts

Stage Times

Stage 12: 1. Ogier 5min 06.4sec; 2. Latvala + 1.0; 3. Loeb + 1.3; 4. P Solberg + 4.1; 5. Sordo + 5.7; 6. Ostberg + 8.2.
Overall: 1. Latvala 1hr 15min 38.1sec; 2. P Solberg + 12.2; 3. Ogier + 20.8; 4. Loeb + 32.3; 5. Sordo + 48.4; 6. Wilson + 2:46.1.

Stage 13: 1. Loeb 14min 46.9sec; 2. Ogier + 1.7; 3. Latvala + 7.3; 4. Sordo + 7.8; 5. P Solberg + 11.9; 6. Ostberg + 16.1.

Overall: 1. Latvala 1hr 30min 32.3sec; 2. Ogier + 15.2; 3. P Solberg + 16.8; 4. Loeb + 25.0; 5. Sordo + 48.9; 6. Wilson + 3:16.4.

Stage 14: 1. Latvala 9min 56.4sec; 2. Ogier + 7.3; 3. Loeb + 8.1; 4. P Solberg + 11.8; 5. Sordo + 17.9; 6. Ostberg + 21.2.

Overall: 1. Latvala 1hr 40min 28.7sec; 2. Ogier + 22.5; 3. P Solberg + 28.6; 4. Loeb + 33.1; 5. Sordo + 1:06.8; 6. Wilson + 3:51.0.

Stage 15: 1. Loeb 10min 08.8sec; 2. Ogier + 1.1; 3. P Solberg + 3.2; 4. Sordo + 6.1; 5. Latvala + 7.5; 6. Ostberg + 12.7.

Overall: 1. Latvala 1hr 50min 45.0sec; 2. Ogier + 16.1; 3. P Solberg + 24.3; 4. Loeb + 25.6; 5. Sordo + 1:05.4; 6. Wilson + 4:15.1.

Stage 16: 1. Loeb 10min 28.5sec; 2. Ogier + 0.4; 3. Latvala + 4.2; 4= P Solberg, Sordo + 7.7; 6. Ostberg + 11.5.
Overall: 1. Latvala 2hr 01min 17.7sec; 2. Ogier + 12.3; 3. Loeb + 21.4; 4. P Solberg + 27.8; 5. Sordo + 1:08.9; 6. Wilson + 4:41.1.

Stage 17: 1. Ogier 9min 53.6sec; 2. Latvala + 1.7; 3. P Solberg + 2.9; 4. Loeb + 3.9; 5. Sordo + 9.5; 6. Ostberg + 13.6.

Overall: 1. Latvala 2hr 11min 13.0sec; 2. Ogier + 10.6; 3. Loeb + 23.6; 4. P Solberg + 29.0; 5. Sordo + 1:16.7; 6. Wilson + 5:00.0.

Stage 18: 1. Latvala 9min 59.9sec; 2. Ogier + 0.5; 3. P Solberg + 1.4; 4. Loeb + 2.6; 5= Sordo, Ostberg + 10.6.
Overall: 1. Latvala 2hr 21min 12.9sec; 2. Ogier + 11.1; 3. Loeb + 26.2; 4. P Solberg + 30.4; 5. Sordo + 1:27.3; 6. Wilson + 5:26.8.

Stage 19: 1. Ogier 10min 15.7sec; 2. Loeb + 0.8; 3. Latvala + 1.0; 4. P Solberg + 1.3; 5. Ostberg + 8.4; 6. Wilson + 17.9.

Overall: 1. Latvala 2hr 31min 29.6sec; 2. Ogier + 10.1; 3. Loeb + 26.0; 4. P Solberg + 30.7; 5. Sordo + 1:45.0; 6. Wilson + 5:43.7.

The sale of Volvo Cars by Ford Motor Company afforded Volvo Car SA the opportunity to source a new finance partner. “WesBank was chosen by Volvo Cars for their entrepreneurial approach to vehicle financing and true partnership way of doing business. WesBank is professional and customer oriented. They understand the needs of a premium brand such as Volvo, as well as those of our customers.” says Bram van der Reep, MD Volvo Car South Africa.

Under the new joint venture, WesBank will, through its specialized Finance and Insurance Managers, provide retail finance to potential customers visiting the various Volvo dealerships. Volvo Car Financial Services will also be the preferred wholesale funding partner to the Volvo Cars dealer network.

According to Chris de Kock, Executive Head Sales and Marketing at WesBank, a main pillar of WesBank success is their partnering strategy with leading motor manufacturers as it allows them  the opportunity to engage directly with potential customers at point-of-sale, at the same time enhancing their partners value proposition to potential car buyers.

“The new alliance with Volvo Car SA is a unique growth opportunity for both WesBank and Volvo Car SA and we are looking forward to a mutually beneficial relationship”, says Chris de Kock.

It was a solid day’s work for the two Red Bull Racing drivers. Here’s what they had to say following the two practice sessions…

Car 5 Sebastian Vettel: “I think this morning didn’t really give a clear picture of each team’s pace, but this afternoon it was tighter. The Ferraris seem very quick again here, on both the long and short runs. They will be quick again tomorrow and we also shouldn’t forget the McLarens; they have proven many times this year that they can make a step forward from Friday to Saturday. It’s a difficult track here, quite bumpy and rough, but the car feels good.”

First Practice Session
Position: 1, Best Time: 1:20.976, Laps: 29,
Chassis No. 2
Second Practice Session
Position: 1, Best Time: 1:20.087, Laps: 33,
Chassis No. 2

Car 6 Mark Webber: “That was pretty good – we got through everything we wanted. The car ran faultlessly and the guys did a good job. The track keeps getting quicker and we learned quite a bit today. The Ferraris look quick again, so we’ve got to keep an eye on them – you never know what fuel loads people are running on Friday. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

First Practice Session
Position: 2, Best Time: 1:21.106, Laps: 27,
Chassis No. 3
Second Practice Session
Position: 3, Best Time 1:20.597, Laps: 36,
Chassis No. 3

“It’s been an interesting day. We’ve just been focusing on our package and trying to optimise what we have. And the car was the best I’ve ever driven around here — it felt really great through the corners.

“But, even so, we’re losing quite a bit of time in the middle sector, and a couple of tenths in the first and third sectors, too. And then, as you start to push harder, in order to close the gap to the guys in front, the car begins to feel like it’s a little bit on the ragged edge.

“I think we’re pretty much getting the best out of the package we have — we’re dialing-in the set-up pretty effectively — but there’s still maybe a few tenths to come. So we know we’ve got a lot of work to do: this weekend is really about scoring as many points as we can, and hoping the guys ahead run into trouble.

“It’s going to be tough, but we’ve got to take the rough with the smooth and stay focused. And we’ll do that, no doubt about it. As always, of course, I’ll be pushing as hard as I can.”

LEWIS HAMILTON
Practice 1
15 laps
1m24.075s (+3.099s)
18th

Practice 2
30 laps
1m21.308s (+1.221s)
6th

JENSON BUTTON

Practice 1
17 laps
1m22.444s (+1.468s)
4th

Practice 2
33 laps
1m21.730s (+1.643s)
9th

“I’m reasonably happy with the car today. It didn’t feel too great on the Option tyre, but the balance was good on the Prime. However, we’re a little bit behind the Red Bulls and the Ferraris.

“It’s probably therefore going to be a tricky weekend for us. There are still areas where we can improve, which is positive, but we’re unlikely to close the gap completely here in Hungary. Hopefully, though, we’ll see an improvement tomorrow, and that will move us closer.

“Still, we need to be doing the best job we can with the equipment we have, and that’s exactly what we’ll be doing. I know all the guys back at the McLaren Technology Centre are working flat-out to keep improving this car, and I’ve got absolute belief in them.

MARTIN WHITMARSH
Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

“Today’s programme was organised a little differently from our regular Friday sessions, as we undertook some shorter evaluative runs during P1 this morning.

“While we’re encouraged by both drivers’ feedback, and by the overall balance of the car, the pace of the front-runners was somewhat unexpected.

“Nevertheless, we’ve amassed plenty of useful data, and we’re armed with a lot of information. As usual, we’ll be working hard tonight in preparation for tomorrow’s qualifying session, and we’re confident of being able to make further improvements to our car.

“In a championship battle as tight as this year’s, the crucial thing is to concentrate on having an error-free weekend and maintain strong consistency — even when faced with challenging circumstances. So that will be our aim for the remainder of this weekend. As ever, it’s going to be a question of discipline, hard work and good racecraft, and that’s what we’ll be aiming to deliver.”

Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila lead Rally Finland for the BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team after today’s dramatic opening leg. The Finnish duo delighted their home fans by winning three speed tests to build a 9.1sec advantage in their Ford Focus RS World Rally Car.  Team-mates Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen led the rally initially, but the 2009 winners crashed heavily and although both escaped injury, their car was severely damaged and will not restart tomorrow.

This eighth round of the FIA World Rally Championship is based in its traditional home of Jyväskylä, in central Finland.  Organisers have taken advantage of new-for-2010 rules to pack all the action into just two long and demanding legs, instead of the usual three.  The opening leg, which began with a short speed test last night, comprised 147.27km of competition on dauntingly fast, roller-coaster gravel roads to the west and north-east of the host city.

The action was as hot as the temperatures, which reached an all-time high in Finland of 37.2ºC yesterday.  Although overnight thunderstorms left a trail of devastation across the centre of the country, the rally ran without interruption and the pace was blistering.  Average speeds on one afternoon special stage reached 133.09kph.

Latvala was third after last night’s opening stage and quickly established himself in second this morning following Hirvonen’s crash.  His first stage win this afternoon promoted him to the top and he gradually extended his advantage through the rest of the leg.

“It’s a dream to be in this position,” said Latvala.  “When I arrived in the service park tonight the grandstands were full and all the fans cheered and applauded me.  That gave me a real boost.  It’s too early to think about winning though, I’m just concentrating on one stage at a time.  Mikko’s retirement put more pressure on me, but it didn’t change my way of thinking.  I saw his car and had to drive around it a little because it was partly in the road.

“I hurt my back after a jump in Urria this morning but I had some treatment from our physio before the second loop and it feels fine now.  I need a perfect day tomorrow.  I want to find a good balance with my driving and keep a cool head.  The first two stages are the most difficult of the rally but because they are so challenging, I enjoy them.” he said.

Hirvonen, lying second after last night’s short opening speed test, was fastest through both the 12.75km Urria and the 22.29km Jukojärvi special stages this morning to build a 4.9sec lead in his Focus RS WRC.  However, the 29-year-old Finn crashed shortly after the midpoint during the second pass through Urria.

“The section at which I crashed is my favourite corner on any stage, anywhere in the world,” said Hirvonen, whose accident spoiled his 30th birthday celebrations tomorrow.  “It happened at a fast right corner which led into a jump.  I landed after the jump in the perfect place on the road but the car pulled left and started rolling.  I was surprised the landing pulled the car across the road so violently.  It happened so fast that I had no time to react.

The car rolled up the road five times and Hirvonen estimated his landing speed was 140kph.  He and Lehtinen went to hospital for precautionary checks but were uninjured.  “It was my biggest accident ever.  I’m so disappointed because this is my home town rally and I had the speed to win.  The car is too badly damaged to continue, but my young sons are here and want to watch the rally cars, so I will spend the day spectating with them,” added Hirvonen.

Abu Dhabi’s Khalid Al Qassimi and Michael Orr were ninth in the team’s other Focus RS WRC, before they rolled into retirement on the sixth stage.  “Finland is a tough rally.  The terrain is rocky, there are frequent crests, and the stages are some of the fastest in the WRC.  It was an exciting day up until this point and the roll was really unfortunate.  This is my fourth time competing in Finland, but the conditions can catch out even the most experienced driver,” said Al Qassimi.  The car was too badly damaged for the duo to restart tomorrow.

BP Ford Abu Dhabi team director Malcolm Wilson reflected on a day of mixed fortunes.  “Jari-Matti had a brilliant day but it was a disappointing end for Mikko.  We made some small improvements to our car during testing last week and it feels good to be back at front-running pace again.  The stages here are so fast that it’s easy to make a mistake so Jari-Matti must not relax for a single second tomorrow,” he said.

News from other Ford teams

Stobart M-Sport Ford’s Matthew Wilson and Scott Martin are sixth in a Focus RS WRC, the Britons enjoying a troublefree day apart from handling difficulties this afternoon.  Team-mates Juha Kankkunen and Juha Repo are just one place behind, the four-time world champion driver competing on his first WRC event for eight years.  Henning Solberg and Ilka Minor enjoyed a good run to fifth before they rolled into retirement on the seventh stage.  They, too, will be unable to restart tomorrow.

Tomorrow’s Route

The second and final leg is even longer than today’s marathon.  After leaving Jyväskylä at 05.50, drivers journey south-west for three loops of stages covering 162.78km.  They return to the city for the finish ceremony at 19.45.

Leaderboard after Day 1
1.  J-M Latvala/M Anttila               FIN             Ford Focus RS   1hr 10min 30.7sec
2.  P Solberg/C Patterson               NOR             Citroen C4              1hr 10min 39.8sec
3.  S Ogier/J Ingrassia                 FRA             Citroen C4              1hr 10min 52.5sec
4.  S Loeb/D Elena                      FRA             Citroen C4              1hr 11min 02.7sec
5.  D Sordo/M Marti                     ESP             Citroen C4              1hr 11min 14.4sec
6.  M Wilson/S Martin           GBR             Ford Focus RS   1hr 13min 06.0sec
7.  J Kankkunen/J Repo          FIN             Ford Focus RS   1hr 13min 41.4sec
8.  K Räikkönen/K Lindström             FIN             Citroen C4              1hr 13min 48.9sec
9.  J Hänninen/M Markkula               FIN             Skoda Fabia             1hr 14min 15.0sec
10 M Rantanen/M Lukka           FIN             Skoda Fabia             1hr 14min 56.1sec

Stage Times

Stage 1: 1. P Solberg 2min 33.2sec; 2. Hirvonen + 1.0; 3= Latvala, Loeb + 1.6; 5= H Solberg, Ogier + 3.2; 10. Al Qassimi + 6.4.

Stage 2: 1. Hirvonen 5min 55.8sec; 2. Latvala + 2.1; 3. Loeb + 3.0; 4. P Solberg + 3.9; 5. Ogier + 4.0; 6. Sordo + 4.2; 12. Al Qassimi + 18.4.

Overall: 1. Hirvonen 8min 30.0sec; 2. Latvala + 2.7; 3. P Solberg + 2.9; 4. Loeb + 3.6; 5. Ogier + 6.2; 6. Sordo + 7.0; 11. Al Qassimi + 23.8.

Stage 3: 1. Hirvonen 10min 33.7sec; 2. P Solberg + 2.0; 3. Loeb + 4.2; 4. Latvala + 5.9; 5. Sordo + 6.2; 6. Ogier + 9.2; 14. Al Qassimi + 40.0.

Overall: 1. Hirvonen 19min 03.7sec; 2. P Solberg + 4.9; 3. Loeb + 7.8; 4. Latvala + 8.6; 5. Sordo + 13.2; 6. Ogier + 15.4; 11. Al Qassimi + 1:03.8.

Stage 4: 1. Ogier 5min 52.9sec; 2. Latvala + 0.4; 3. P Solberg + 2.0; 4. Sordo + 1.3; 5. H Solberg + 4.2; 6. Loeb + 7.5; 9. Al Qassimi + 14.1.

Overall: 1. P Solberg 25min 02.5sec; 2. Latvala + 3.1; 3. Sordo + 8.6; 4. Loeb + 9.4; 5. Ogier + 9.5; 6. H Solberg + 20.0; 10. Al Qassimi + 1:12.0.

Stage 5: 1. Sordo 10min 28.7sec; 2. Latvala + 1.7; 3. P Solberg + 3.5; 4. Ogier + 5.8; 5. H Solberg + 6.5; 6. Loeb + 13.0; 10. Al Qassimi + 14.1.

Overall: 1. P Solberg 35min 34.7sec; 2. Latvala + 1.3; 3. Sordo + 5.1; 4. Ogier + 11.8; 5. Loeb + 18.9; 6. H Solberg + 23.0; 9. Al Qassimi + 1:38.6.

Stage 6: 1. Latvala 12min 03.3sec; 2. P Solberg + 1.2; 3. H Solberg + 4.3; 4. Ogier + 6.5; 5. Loeb + 10.3; 6. Sordo + 11.3.

Overall: 1. P Solberg 47min 39.2sec; 2. Latvala + 0.1; 3. Sordo + 15.2; 4. Ogier + 17.1; 5. H Solberg + 26.1; 6. Loeb + 28.0.

Stage 7: 1. Latvala 3min 04.4sec; 2. P Solberg + 2.8; 3. H Solberg + 3.5; 4. Ogier + 3.7; 5. Loeb + 4.2; 6. Sordo + 5.8.

Overall: 1. Latvala 50min 43.7sec; 2. P Solberg + 2.7; 3. Ogier + 20.7; 4. Sordo + 20.9; 5. H Solberg + 29.5; 6. Loeb + 32.1.

Stage 8: 1. Loeb 7min 07.8sec; 2= Latvala, Ogier + 0.3; 4. P Solberg + 5.5; 5. Sordo + 11.2; 6. Ostberg + 12.4.
Overall: 1. Latvala 57min 51.8sec; 2. P Solberg + 7.9; 3. Ogier + 20.7; 4. Loeb + 31.8; 5. Sordo + 31.8; 6. Wilson + 2:06.5.

Stage 9: 1. Latvala 3min 01.4sec; 2. Ogier + 1.4; 3. P Solberg + 1.5; 4. Loeb + 1.9; 5. Sordo + 4.8; 6. Ostberg + 6.6.
Overall: 1. Latvala 1hr 00min 53.2sec; 2. P Solberg + 9.4; 3. Ogier + 22.1; 4. Loeb + 33.7; 5. Sordo + 36.6; 6. Wilson + 2:13.2.

Stage 10: 1. Loeb 6min 59.8sec; 2. Ogier + 0.7; 3. Latvala + 1.7; 4. P Solberg + 2.3; 5. Sordo + 6.6; 6. Ostberg + 14.8.

Overall: 1. Latvala 1hr 07min 54.7sec; 2. P Solberg + 10.0; 3. Ogier + 21.1; 4. Loeb + 32.0; 5. Sordo + 41.5; 6. Wilson + 2:32.0.

Stage 11: 1. P Solberg 2min 35.1sec; 2= Latvala, Loeb + 0.9; 4. Ogier + 1.6; 5. Sordo + 3.1; 6. Raikkonen + 3.3.
Overall: 1. Latvala 1hr 10min 30.7sec; 2. P Solberg + 9.1; 3. Ogier + 21.8; 4. Loeb + 32.0; 5. Sordo + 43.7; 6. Wilson + 2:35.3.

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) will increase its focus on the better education of primary school children in rural KwaZulu-Natal, says Jenny Maré, General Manager: Corporate Affairs at TSAM.

Speaking during an exploratory visit to a number of schools supported by TSAM, or so-called Toyota Teach Schools, Maré highlighted the company’s focus on education as a cornerstone of economic and political stability. The exploratory visit was dubbed the Hilux Gives Back-initiative, which seeks to acknowledge the important role of employees in rural KwaZulu-Natal in the success of Toyota in South Africa. The Hilux, who recently celebrated 40 years of success in South Africa, remains South Africa’s most popular vehicle and is manufactured at Toyota’s Prospecton Plant in KwaZulu-Natal.

“It was the late Dr. Albert Wessels, the founder and CEO of Toyota South Africa that first identified education as a key focal point of our social development agenda. This has remained over the years and although we have various projects that focus on the primary, secondary and tertiary education sectors, we believe that our Toyota Teach Primary School Project or TTPSP remains the flagship of our corporate social responsibility programmes.”

The TTPSP started in 1992 and focussed on uplifting the standard of basic education for primary school learners in rural KwaZulu-Natal. The programme was designed to focus on basic skills such as literacy, numeracy and life skills, including education on HIV/Aids and ethics. This project was born out of the belief that the added focus on these skills better equip rural school children to advance their education through the secondary and hopefully even the tertiary phase. Since inception more than 45 000 students have been impacted directly by the Toyota Teach programme for Primary Schools. More than 100 schools have been, or are, so-called Toyota Teach Schools.

A second phase, which focused on the further education of primary school teachers, was born from the realisation that many teachers felt ill equipped to train learners according to the Toyota Teach programme. There are several reasons for this need, including the fact that many of these teachers acknowledge that they themselves did not receive quality education. Secondly, many schools were very poorly resourced and supported and, to add to that, were unprepared for the rapid changes in education policy. Lastly, it became clear that HIV and Aids had a profound impact on learners and teachers in rural KZN.

In reaction to these needs Toyota South Africa joined forces with the University of KwaZulu-Natal to develop and support an Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE) for teachers. This programme offers ten modules, which include Maths, Science, English, Environmental Education, Classroom Management and Cognitive Development. Teachers can also opt for electives in more senior Maths and Science.

The Advanced Certificate takes two years to complete and teachers are trained through a combination of distance learning, classroom support and face-to-face training, while the courses are structured to encourage and nourish support and shared learning between teachers at the various Toyota Teach schools.

Toyota further supported the certificate programme through financial support in the form of rebates on course expenses, while it has invested significantly in service providers in many of these courses. As an example the Non-Governmental Organisation Technology for All trains teachers and learners on Technology, which is included as a part of the national curriculum for primary school learners. Toyota South Africa still partner with well known service providers in the current phase of their Toyota Teach programme, which include the Centre for Science and Maths (CASME) and the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA).

After the introduction of the advanced programme the programme administrators have seen a marked increase in the average scores of learners at Toyota Teach schools. The same applies to the ACE teacher graduates. As an example 5 graduate teachers have become principals, while 3 have advanced to the position of deputy principal and 11 became heads of departments. Several teachers have also continued their studies at one of various tertiary institutions involved in this project, notably to obtain their honours degrees in education. More than 1 100 teachers have received further education and training as part of this programme.

The third and current part of our TTPSP programme is referred to as Whole School Development. As part of this programme, Toyota Teach Schools are supported through direct school management and training in school management, notably in financial and curriculum management. School governing bodies also receive training, while specific needs are addressed and administered by Toyota Teach support staff in conjunction with the community. This programme acknowledges the fact that a more holistic approach to school development is key to the advancement of young learners.

Toyota has to date spent more than R20 million on the Toyota Teach Primary Schools Project and it currently employs many full time facilitators and trainers.

For 60 years now, the 1000 Lakes Rally – which then became the Rally Finland – has been a classic fixture for all the crews. The event is often nicknamed the ‘Jyväskylä Grand Prix’ and it has featured seven times in the top 10 fastest rallies ever held in the history of the World Rally Championship. The quickest Rally Finland took place in 2005, with an average speed of 122.86 kph recorded on the event.

For the eighth round of the season, Citroën Racing has made some adjustments to its team nominations. Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia join the Citroën Total World Rally Team for the first time, while Dani Sordo and Marc Marti form part of the Citroën Junior Team as team mates to Kimi Räikkönen and Kaj Lindström. The Spanish crew will also be nominated to score points for the Citroën Junior Team in Japan and Great Britain this year.

“The objective of the Citroën Junior Team is to allow young drivers to perform to the best of their abilities at the highest level,” pointed out Team Manager Benoit Nogier. “We have seen this goal being achieved with Sébastien Ogier and we are very happy for him. His results reflect the hard work that the entire team has put in since the start of the season. We hope to be at the same level with Dani, so that he too can show what he is capable of.”

Dani Sordo, aged 27, is currently sixth in the World Championship standings and has finished on the podium twice this year, thanks to third place in Portugal and second in Bulgaria. The Spaniard looks upon his new association with the Citroën Junior Team as a fresh opportunity. “I’ll be feeling less pressure,” he said. “By switching teams, I won’t always have to drive with the fundamental need to score manufacturer points for Citroën at the back of my mind. I’m going to concentrate on just doing my own rally and delivering the best performance possible.”

For the first time in his short World Rally Championship career, Kimi Räikkönen will be starting an event that he has already contested last year. In 2009, the 2007 Formula One World Champion showed some highly impressive pace before unfortunately going off the road.

“We were able to get back up to speed on gravel thanks to a good pre-Finland test,” said Kimi. “Those testing kilometres are absolutely vital on a rally like this one. The experience from last year is certainly going to help, but there is such a performance gap between a Super 2000 machine and a World Rally Car that it’s almost like driving a different rally. I’m really looking forward to getting started. When I was in Formula One, I never got the chance to race in front of my home crowd. I know that there are going to be loads of fans out in service and by the side of the stages. For me, this is a real highlight of the season!”

Three questions to… Dani Sordo

Does joining the Citroën Junior Team feel a bit like going back to your roots?
“I started off on the World Rally Championship driving the Citroën Xsara WRC, when some people from the Citroën Junior Team were also there. These were very happy memories, and we had some good performances that helped me to secure a factory drive. There is a very nice atmosphere in the team and everybody is extremely professional. The results speak for themselves. Everything is there to enable us to have a very good rally.”

Is Finland an event you have been looking forward to this year?
“Finland a particularly tricky rally that is very fast, and so local drivers tend to do extremely well there. It’s also a rally that personally I love. The speeds we reach are very exciting for any driver and of course we have to take a few risks through the trees and over the crests. It’s an absolutely unique event. You need to have very good pace notes, and to drive precisely and decisively.”

What do you expect from this rally with the Citroën Junior Team?
“I know that I’m joining a very good team. Now it’s down to me to make the most of it. I’m going to try and give it my all on this event, as always do. For the past two years I’ve finished fourth, less than 20 seconds off the podium, and in 2009 I was only a minute behind the winner. My objective is to show that I can be competitive while setting some good times and remaining consistent throughout the event.”

Useful information

Rally Finland (round 8/13) (29-31 July)

Surface: gravel

Where: Jyväskylä

Practical information: The service park, HQ and the media centre are in the ‘Paviljonki’ in Jyväskylä. There is a one-hour time difference between Finland (GMT + 3) and central Europe (GMT + 2). So when it is 1200 in Jyväskylä, it is 1100 in Paris. On the first day of the rally, Friday 29 July, the sun will rise at 04h31 and set at 22h14. In July, the average maximum temperatures exceed 20°C. Local currency is the Euro.

Technical: The two Citroën C4 WRCs will be equipped with new engines that have to be used again in Germany and in Japan. The transmission and spare parts are also shared with the Rally Japan.

Tyres: A total of 36 soft-compound Pirelli Scorpion WRC tyres can be used, including six for the shakedown.

Reconnaissance: This will take place on Tuesday 27 July and Wednesday 28 July from 0800-1800, with a maximum of two passes allowed over each special stage.

Shakedown: This is scheduled for Thursday 29 July between 0800 and 1200 at Muurame, on a 4.46- kilometre stage that is 10.26 kilometres from the service park.

Press conference: Thursday 29 July at 1330 in the Media Centre.

Start: Thursday 29 July at the Paviljonki from 1800.

Route: Total length of 1307.87 km, of which 310.05 km are competitive. There are 19 special stages (11 different stages).

Timing: Day 1 – 661.73 km of which 147.27 km are competitive (11 stages, 6 different stages). Thursday 29 July: Start: 18h00 – SS1: Laajavuori 1 (4.19 km). Friday 30 July – Service A (0630 / 15 min) – SS2: Urria 1 (12.75 km) – SS3: Jukojärvi 1 (22.29 km) – SS4: Urria 2 (12.75 km) – SS5: Jukojärvi 2 (22.29 km) – Service B (1230 / 30 min) – SS6: Lankamaa (24.87 km) – SS7: Sirkkamäki 1
(6.45 km) – SS8: Myhinpää 1 (15.52 km) – SS9: Sirkkamäki 2 (6.45 km) – SS10: Myhinpää 2 (15.52 km) – SS11: Laajavuori 2 (4.19 km) – Service C (2030 / 45 min) – Last car into parc fermé at 2359.
Day 2 – Saturday 31 July: 646.14 km of which 162.78 km are competitive (6 SS, 5 different stages). Start: 0550 – Service D (0550 / 15 min) – SS12: Kolonkulma (10.35 km) – SS13: Väärinmaja (29.29 km) – SS14: Surkee 1 (19.59 km) Service E (1046 / 30 min) – SS15: Leustu 1 (21.35 km) – SS16: Himos 1 (20.63 km) SS17: Surkee 2 (19.59 km) – Service F (1510 / 30 min) – SS18: Leustu 2 (21.35 km) – SS19: Himos 2 (20.63 km) – Service G (1908 / 10 min) – Finish at 19h45.

Final podium: Saturday 31 July from 1945.

Final press conference: Saturday 31 July at 2030 in the Media Centre.

The crews before this rally:
Kimi Räikkönen: First WRC rally: Finland 09 (Punto Super 2000 / ret.) – WRC rallies: 7
Kaj Lindström: First WRC rally: Finland 96 (Golf GTI / ret.) – WRC rallies: 68 – Wins: 1.
Dani Sordo: First WRC rally: Spain 03 (Lancer Evolution / 18th) – WRC rallies: 78 – Junior title: 2005 (C2 S1600).
Marc Marti: First WRC rally: Spain 92 (309 / 21st) – WRC rallies: 142 – Wins: 3.

The crews before the start of Rally Finland:
Kimi Räikkönen: 2nd participation: 2009 (Punto Super 2000 / ret.).
Kaj Lindström: 11th participation: 1996 (co-driver for Ari Himanen / 27th), 1997 (Ari Himanen / ret.), 1998 (Esa Saarenpaa / ret.), 1999 (Tapio Laukkanen / 13th), 2000 (Tapio Laukkanen / ret.), 2001 (Tapio Laukkanen / 23rd), 2002 (Tommi Mäkinen / 6th), 2003 (Tommi Mäkinen / 6th), 2004 (Kristian Sohlberg / ret.), 2009 (Kimi Räikkönen / ret.).
Dani Sordo: 6th participation: 2005 (C2 S1600 / 15th), 2006 (Xsara WRC / ret.), 2007 (C4 WRC / ret.), 2008 (C4 WRC / 4th), 2009 (C4 WRC / 4th).
Marc Marti: 11th participation: 1997 (co-driver for Oriol Gomez / 23rd), 1999 (Jesus Puras / ret.), 2000 (Jesus Puras / ret.), 2003 (Carlos Sainz, Xsara WRC / 4th), 2004 (Carlos Sainz, Xsara WRC / 3rd), 2005 (Dani Sordo, C2 S1600 / 15th), 2006 (Dani Sordo, Xsara WRC / ret.), 2007 (Dani Sordo, C4 WRC / ret.), 2008 (Dani Sordo, C4 WRC / 4th), 2009 (Dani Sordo, C4 WRC / 4th).

The team ended the 400km event as the second privateer team after the Fiesta of Conrad Rautenbach in 5^th place overall.

“I wasn’t at all that comfortable with the stages on the Friday, but the highlight for the Basil Read/bizhub Ford Team’s first day was winning two stages”, said Wilken.

Saturday saw Wilken and Godrich put the hammer down.  “We worked on our pace without taking undue risks”, Wilken related.  “I’m building up seat time and we have a good foundation of knowledge to work from going forward.  I’m very happy with our weekend’s work”.

Godrich was also content after two days of hard work in the Basil Read/bizhub Fiesta. “The format of the event is awesome.  We started quite slowly and built up our pace.  The tarmac stages were brilliant for us.  On Saturday, we set our own pace because there was no one to chase and no one catching us.  We’ve learnt a lot this weekend”.

Team Director Flip Wilken was relieved: “We can finally put all the unfortunate stuff behind us and move forward.  It’s the first finish for the Basil Read/bizhub Ford Fiesta, which is very important to achieve.  The times set in the last two stages show how Charl became more comfortable in the car, he got some good experience and mileage under his belt. The team did not put a foot wrong over the whole event, we only refueled and changed tyres”.

The next outing for the Basil Read/bizhub Ford is the Osram Rally on 20 and 21 August.

The first new cars to be introduced by the new company recently reached dealer showroom floors and include the B/C segment Geely MK 1.5 and 1.6 Sedans for under R115 000 and a MK2 1.5 Hatch range at under R100 000.

Geely, which means ‘lucky’ in Chinese, is the largest privately-run car manufacturer in China and earlier this month Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, the Shanghai-based parent company of Geely Motor Holdings, received approval from European Union regulators for Geely’s acquisition of Volvo from Ford Motor Company for $1.8-billion.

Well-known motor industry executive John Jessup, 63, who has over 40 years of experience in the South African motor industry and has worked for companies like Volkswagen, General Motors, BMW and Nissan, has been appointed CEO of Geely South Africa.

Geely SA is owned by the Hallmark Motor Group, a sister company of the JSE-listed transportation, supply chain and logistics service provider Cargo Carriers and the family owned Magic Group, who each hold 50%. Both companies have extensive motor  interests via  franchised dealerships of Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Volkswagen, Nissan, Hyundai and General Motors.

Hallmark has a large interest in GWM SA and has been instrumental in making it by far the most successful Chinese brand in South Africa to date.

Jessup, a graduate of the University of Port Elizabeth, is a former marketing director of both BMW South Africa and Nissan South Africa.  A keen golfer, outdoor photographer and fitness enthusiast, Jessup feels he is in good shape to take on the challenge of building the Geely brand in South Africa.

“We took over the existing Geely importer and distributor several months ago and are assembling a small but experienced team of professionals who are serious about making a success of the Geely brand in South Africa.

“Geely is a highly respected brand in China, which is rapidly becoming the powerhouse in the global automotive world,” he said.  “We are keenly aware of the need to provide South African consumers with a quality product that is backed by professional and dependable after-sales service.  I am impressed with what I have seen of the Geely vehicles.  They are stylish, well-made and excellent value for money, with loads of features that you would not expect of vehicles in the price range.

“We will be looking closely at the extensive range of Geely cars, SUVs and light commercials and we will enter one further major new market segment each year for the next three years.”

Geely South Africa, whose new head office is being completed in Midrand together with a parts distribution centre, currently has 11 dealers and aims to have more than doubled this by the end of the year.
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