Solberg hails "very, very useful" test

Rallying and closed-circuit racing are two completely different disciplines, with rallying condition completely determined by the conditions of the roads at the time of road closing. Circuit racing is less dependant, as there are regulations that have to be followed when laying the tarmac for the circuit. But, it was these constant conditions that helped Ford make a “huge step forward” with the development of the Fiesta RS WRC.

Instead of finding a road somewhere and testing up and down it all day long, the Ford World Rally Team weighed in to the Circuit des Ecuyeres in Fary, France last week to complete another part of the development programme. The team's last remaining Championship hope, Petter Solberg, was tasked with driving for the four days.

Solberg noted how Ford's design guru Christian Loriaux suggested a track would be the best idea, and given how it offered the chance to test in the exact same conditions over and over again, it wasn't a bad idea.

Solberg hailed the test as “very, very useful”, saying: “It was very, very useful. We learned so much from the time in the car. We changed everything on the car and from a philosophy and a learning perspective it was fantastic. We have taken a huge step forward during the test.”

The results of this test may prove the pivotal moment in the title chase, as Ford were competitive in Monte Carlo at the start of the year on tarmac. With this test, and the team's usual test before Rallye Deutschland, under their belts, the Ford World Rally Team may finally be able to break Citroen's stranglehold on the German stages.

Four of the final six rallies in the WRC calendar feature tarmac stages, so the extra testing time may be vital in the hunt for the elusive Manufacturer's Championship, and Solberg's elusive first win in almost seven years.