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The PWRC title battle is heating up: Now Andreas Aigner the “tactician” is called for!
Bernardo Sousa is back again after his forced rest
The World Rally Championship is moving overseas. From August 29th to 31st, the “Repco Rally New Zealand” will be run in the Hamilton area. And this time, the Red Bull Rallye Team’s contingent will again be complete.
Apart from Andreas Aigner (AUT)/Klaus Wicha (GER) – Mitsubishi EVO IX, Bernardo Sousa (POR)/Jorge Cavalho (POR) – Mitsubishi EVO IX will also take the start.
The New Zealand event will be pointing the way for Andreas Aigner in the PWRC title battle. After his home victory in Finland, Juho Hänninen is currently just eight points behind the Austrian, but potentially even ahead by two already since Aigner is only eligible to score in New Zealand and Wales, but Hänninen will be in Japan as well.
Team boss Raimund Baumschlager: “It’s still a little too early for calculations like that. Because at the moment there are still too many ifs and buts involved. It’s a fact that we have the chance to bring the world championship title home to Austria this year. And we want to take the next step towards that goal in New Zealand. A lot of hard work for the entire team can be expected – we can’t afford any mistakes!”
In any case, Andreas Aigner will start off this rally with a handicap: for while Hänninen already knows these stages very well, it’s the first New Zealand start for this season’s treble winner.
Andreas Aigner: “That’s certainly a clear advantage for Juho. But I’ll try to compensate with a way of driving that’s tactically clever and by keeping an eye on him from the very start. The team is keeping us informed about current split times in the car, so we are able to orientate ourselves much better. Because two things are for certain: On the one hand I can’t afford to retire, needing to score points without fail, on the other it would be ideal to finish ahead of Hänninen. And to be able to realise this plan, it will also be important to keep a clear head.”
Bernardo Sousa, who had to skip the last event in Finnland because of his injured shoulder, will be back again in New Zealand. He has been receiving special therapy in recent weeks – nevertheless, the Portuguese will undergo surgery immediately following the rally in order to be back to complete physical fitness in time for Wales.
Bernardo Sousa: “I’ve been working very intensively with a physiotherapist at my home recently. It’s looking pretty good at the moment. Let’s wait and see how I’ll fare during the rally. My aim for New Zealand is to finish in the points again.”
Overall PWRC standings (after five rounds)
P1 Andreas AIGNER (AUT) 30 points
P2 Juho Hänninen (FIN) 22
P3 Jari Ketomaa (FIN) 20
. . . . .
P7 Bernardo SOUSA (POR) 10
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