MotoGP star, Valentino Rossi continued to make progress on the Rally New Zealand on Saturday, and after a steady start on Friday he managed to claw his way up the leader-board.
Rossi began the day in 24th place overall and despite some extremely taxing conditions, with heavy rain particularly affecting the opening three tests, he managed to make up nine places on the first loop, having set the 16th fastest time in SS6, the 19th best in SS7 and a storming tenth fastest time in SS8. He then made further progress in the afternoon and set two more top ten stage times, his best in the second run through the Mystery Creek super special when he was seventh fastest. As such he now lies in 13th place overall in his privately entered Subaru Impreza.
"I am satisfied with the progress I have made today and with the P Zeros that Pirelli has supplied," he reflected. "They worked well and went straight into the right operating temperature, even though the climate is certainly not mild. Anyway, I don't want to force the pace or take useless risks. I want to finish the rally and, at the same time, enjoy myself. For now, that suits me fine."
Asked about the stages more generally he noted that the 13.88 kilometre run through Klondyke [SS7] was probably one of the toughest, while he loved the two Te Akau tests [SS9 and SS10].
"Stage seven was very difficult with lots of puddles, this one was very slippery. We took it quietly there and tried to drive very cleanly. Stage nine was one of the best - it was really flowing and it is really fantastic when it is quick [like that]. I have driven well but I lost the car in one corner and I had had a spin and that cost me about 30 seconds. The next stage [SS10] was good too. The camber is perfect on these roads, I love it. I'm having fun - the car is perfect."
Pirelli rally manager, Mario Isola meanwhile was impressed with the form of the Italian, who is more known for his exploits on two wheels than four: "Valentino is making tangible progress," he noted. "He is setting encouraging times - especially considering the decidedly inclement weather conditions in which he is confronting this rally which is not among the simplest in the FIA World Rally Championship."
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