Three natural born winners striving for the perfect end to the season: Volkswagen is all set for one last big push at the 13th and final round of the 2015 FIA World Rally Championship (FIA). The old and new world champions* Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F), Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN), who have won three times this season and are currently second overall, and Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (N/N), winners for first time on their last outing in Spain, have nothing to lose and are out to put the icing on the cake at the end of what has been a successful season for all three pairs.
They could yet equal one of Volkswagen’s records in the forests and hills of Wales, which traditionally form the backdrop for the Rally Great Britain. 11 of the 12 rallies to date in 2015 have been won by the Polo R WRC. Should Volkswagen claim a 12th victory of the year, it will equal its own record of 12 wins from 13 rallies, which it set in 2014. With a total of 24 podium finishes, the 2015 season has already been more successful than last year. However, the task will be far from easy: the damp, muddy and slippery gravel roads that are typical of Wales make the Rally Great Britain a unique challenge on the WRC calendar. 19 special stages and a total 310.15 kilometres against the clock await the competitors in 2015.
“What we have achieved this year is incredible. Out of twelve possible wins, eleven have gone to Wolfsburg,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito. “So there’s no doubt that we want to be right at the top again in Wales. And in line with our principle: may the best man win. Without any team orders at all, we can already look back on a year in which all three drivers and co-drivers have won for us. All three of them will try to shine once again in Wales – preferably with a win – and carry this momentum into the next season. So purely from a Volkswagen perspective it will be a very interesting rally. And our rivals will also want to end the season on a positive note – and make our lives as difficult as possible.”
Fun in the mud: the classic with unique conditions
The rally in the north of Wales will not be a stroll in the park: “Gartheiniog”, “Aberhirnant” and “Alwen” – as Welsh as the names sound, the special stages through dense forest are real humdingers and require the utmost concentration. Not least because of the weather conditions, which are difficult to predict, making the traditional event on the island one of the biggest challenges on the calendar. The surface in Wales is just as unpredictable as the weather is unforeseeable. On more than one occasion in recent years, the surface has transformed from gravel to mud in a matter of minutes. Just 19 special stages and 310.15 kilometres against the clock await the drivers and co-drivers this season, and most of them should still be more than familiar: almost 90 per cent is the same as last year’s route. This will benefit anyone who has hung on to their pace notes from last year.