Munchi's March On to Jordan Rally 26.03.2010: The Munchi’s Ford World Rally Team wants to step up a gear in its second outing of the FIA World Rally Championship 2010, Jordan Rally. Having shaken off any rustiness and re-acquainted

The Munchi’s Ford World Rally Team wants to step up a gear in its second outing of the FIA World Rally Championship 2010, Jordan Rally.

Having shaken off any rustiness and re-acquainted themselves to driving the Ford Focus RS WRC at the highest level, Federico Villagra and Jorge Pérez Companc will aim to improve the consistency of their pace when they enter the gravel tests in the deserts of Jordan.

The Argentinean team finished in the points at the previous round Rally Mexico.  Seventh place overall matched the duo’s result at Rally Mexico 2008 and got their 2010 WRC campaign off to a solid start.

The pair ran in the top ten throughout the event and were particularly quick on the short Super Special stages, posting a succession of top six times.

However, despite picking up eight manufacturer points for the team in its first event of the season, Villagra felt there was still plenty more to come on the longer stages as he adjusted to being back in World Rally Championship action.

After finishing sixth overall there in 2008, the reigning Argentinean Rally champions Villagra and Companc know what to expect when they cross the start line in the Arabian kingdom.

Based next to the Dead Sea and featuring a visit to the lowest land point on earth some 400metres below seas level, the event consists of 339.48km of competitive distance split over 21 man-made stages that snake through the open desert and a number of ancient sites of historical interest.

Jordan Rally is a spectacular challenge, but with temperatures often reaching more than 40 degrees centigrade it is also an extremely physically and mentally demanding one for crews.

The schedule is also unusual for a WRC round in that it runs from Thursday to Saturday rather than Friday to Sunday, in order to coincide with the traditional Islamic holiday.

The Munchi’s Ford World Rally Team will aim to come away from the unique Middle Eastern event with a strong result to enhance its position in the championship table.


Other Munchi’s Ford World Rally Team news:

Federico Villagra contested his home event of Rally Argentina in a Ford Fiesta S2000 on March 19-21. 

The event featured as the third round of the Intercontinental Rally Championship in addition to counting towards the South American Championship and the Argentinean Rally Championship.

Making his competitive debut in the Ford Fiesta S2000 Villagra finished fifth overall.  The result puts Villagra in second position overall in the championship standings as he seeks to retain his title.

 

Munchi’s Ford WRT driver Federico Villagra said:

“We know we can go faster in Jordan because we have had more time in the car and got a good feeling for it again.  It’s a very fast event with some long stages, and this is where we will have to improve our times.  The conditions will suit us and we had a good result there the last time so we know we can do well.  I think it can be a very good rally for us.”

 
Event Information

Date:  April 1-3, 2010
Round:  3 of 13 FIA World Rally Championship
Based:  Dead Sea, Jordan
Stage surface:  Gravel
Total stage distance:  339.48kms
Number of stages:  21
Longest stage:  41.45km Jordan River (SS10/SS13)
Service Park:  Dead Sea Centre, Jordan
 

Graeme Cleland -  photo worldrallypics