Rally-eMag 016 February 2014 | Page 26

Rally Guanajuato Mexico / Rally review Another few rolls That doesn’t mean the drama was over. The drama was starring, as earlier in the rally, two drivers: Kubica and Mikkelsen. Both rolled their car (again). For Kubica this meant the end of his rally. The roll cage was damaged too much. Mikkelsen did not gain the wanted experience as he did not complete more than three Mexican stages up till that moment. Guerra Things went better for Benito Guerra. He had an off road excursion too but he ‘just’ smashed the door in his side. This makes getting in and out of the Fiesta a bit awkward. Also he hit his shoulder against the door. But this did not bother the Mexican too much. Like a good rally driver he preferred to talk about the condition of his car: “I think the car is ok,” he smiled. At least he could continue and defend his position That however cannot be said from Kris Meeke’s well within the top ten. problem. On the PowerStage he stopped his car in the middle of the road after he hit something. Meeke in trouble With a TV helicopter hovering overhead everybody The final day ended in the way everyone predicted. could see both driver and co-driver running around All top drivers defended their positions, as there the car. But in the end a tow truck had to remove was no room to move up. Still there were some the stricken DS3 from the stage. Mexico was not issues. Latvala felt some strange trembling in his a good rally for Meeke. The PowerStage was won suspension after the monster Juanajuatito test, by Ogier, followed by Latvala and Hirvonen. with over 55 kilometres the longest test of the rally, but he could not find a problem. Speedy Ganzales and Happy Hyundai Neuville had some issues with his wipers, that For the second consecutive time Ogier won the were needed because of an enormous amount of rally. “This proves he now officially is faster than rain that fell overnight and Mikkelsen complained Speedy Gonzales,” his teamboss proclaimed. Latof an intercom problem just before Juanajuatito vala was second. and both Guerra and Prokop spun their cars. But On the podium’s third step we saw Neuville. Not the in the end not one of these problems caused real first time we saw him there, but it was the first time drama. in his Hyundai suit and that was a huge achievement for the Korean manufacturer. 26/42 Despite flying high Mexico wasn’t Meeke’s event. Local fans cheer their hero Benito Guerra.