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The 2010 World Rally Championship is about to kick off in the frozen lands of Sweden. This year marks the last time we'll see the WRC cars taking part in the event, as next year the championship switches to Super 2000 based cars (currently supposed to be 1600cc turbocharged cars with much less technology). So this is the last time these countries will see and hear the incredible machines and their drivers in action. This year also sees two interesting newcomers to the championship. Firstly, American driver Ken Block turns up in a cloud of his own tyre smoke, and Citroen's Junior team gets colder with the arrival of the Iceman himself - 2007 F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen. Part one of my preview concentrates on the teams and the drivers... enjoy!
Citroën [works]
The reigning constructors and drivers champions return with exactly the same line up as last year – it worked then, and it should be pretty successful this year. Expect Sordo to become more prominent in 2010, but never ever discount Loeb. Citroën have the exact opposite driver line up to Ford's pair of loose surface experts – two tarmac favouring drivers. Whilst Sordo has shown to be best on Tarmac and unspectacular everywhere else, Loeb didn't get to where he is today by only being good on one surface – and has proven that he has speed on all the different kinds of Gravel and even snow. However, he will be at his best on the 3 Tarmac rallies this year. No one has won more than 7 WRC titles... could Loeb become the first?
Ford [Works]
The Fords are back and arguably have the better car. Even so, the focus has proven sometimes fragile, sometimes downright unreliable and that's when Latvala can keep it on the road! Hirvonen was unlucky to be beaten by only a single point last season, and will be out for revenge this year. Hirvonen is likely to be Loeb's biggest challenger once again, and Ford are unlikely to put up with Latvala for much longer if he keeps throwing his Focus at the scenery as he did last year – Expect podiums and wins from both drivers this year – especially on the season opening Swedish Rally, and their home event in Finland. Khalid Al Qassami may not be scoring any manufacturer points again, but he could well spring a surprise this year. The one and only Arabian driver in the top level of the WRC, he got his seat by sponsoring the team! Last year however he managed to score his first few points (and in doing so, won an award sponsored by Abu Dhabi... hmm). Maybe this year he will finish within the top 8 a bit more regularly.
Petter Solberg
2003 WRC champion Petter "Hollywood" Solberg may well find himself out showmaned by Ken Block this year. However, now he's got used to his new Citroën C4 you can expect him to take on at least the citroën junior team and come off better. He's more than a match for either of the Ford Drivers on a good day too. A very popular Dark horse for some surprising results. Talk of Petter being joined by a team mate has been rubbished by Solberg himself; despite this he's bought two C4s, and is selling an Xsara. He will rent you a car though...
Citroën Junior
Citroën Junior's Star driver is Sebastien Ogier, and the 2008 JWRC champion has just about got the hang of his C4 now, so will be able challenge the Fords for pace – if Petter Solberg doesn't spoil the party. The other half of the pairing however is undoubtetly the most interesting. Former F1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen is not going to have a smooth ride in the WRC. Don't expect good results straight away... but once he's got the hang of it, he should be pretty good. At least he has the multiple world rally champion Kaj Lindstrom in the co-drivers seat to keep him in the right direction and on time!
Stobart Ford
The customer team closest to the Works outfit in every sense. Led again by Matthew Wilson, who some... well okay, everyone thinks only got his seat by being the son of the team owner. Henning Solberg, former Norweigan Rally Champion like his younger Brother Petter is by far the more interesting driver, but after a change of Co Driver, he could take his time to produce any good results at all. Both drivers are yet to win anything. Joining the Stobart team for Sweden at least are Finnish newcomers Mattias Therman and his co-driver Janne Perala, and making a welcome return is popular double world champion Marcus Gronholm and his hapless brother in law, Timo Rautiainen, two of the best loved and successful characters in the sport.
Munchis Ford
Enthusiastic tailenders Munchis are always there, but Enthusiasm doesn't really win you rallies, don't expect too much from Villagra.
Monster Ford
That rarest of species, the American Rally driver has arrived with some would say stereotypical flamboyance! Ken Block is seen by many to be a millionaire playboy adrenaline junky, by some as an out and out showman, and by others as quite possibly the best talent that there is in American Rallying. How he will fare against the WRC regulars is yet to be seen, but Petter Solberg is going to have to go some to be the more spectacular showman!! a second driver has yet to be announced, but is likely to be the experienced Austrailian Chris Atkinson.
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