By Chris Humpleby

Last updated at 12:24, Wednesday, 03 December 2008

Cumbria's Ford World Rally team takes its challenge for a third consecutive manufacturer's world title to the final round in Wales this week.

The Finnish pairings of Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen alongside team-mates Jari - Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila lead the charge in the Wales Rally GB, with a 1-2 finish required for the Dovenby Hall-based Ford team to overturn the 11-point deficit they face.

A tricky course, the gravel tracks of Wales alongside brutish and often unpredictable weather can make for hair raising rallying.

Hirvonen and Latvala will cover 348.99km in a route of 1428.44 km, starting on Friday, as they bid to retain Ford's crown.

Hirvonnen insists he is ready for the challenge of predicted fog, snow, wind and ice, as well as the treacherous night-time stages.

He said: “Last year was probably the toughest Rally GB I have ever driven.

“Some parts of the rally are very fast, even quicker than in Finland. The difference is that the fast parts here don't last long because they are usually hairpin bends that bring the speeds down again.

“Driving in darkness in fog and rain was incredibly difficult.

“Night driving makes the rally even trickier, because this is the only round where we drive in the dark apart from Japan and Monte Carlo.”

Preparations will be studious from Ford, as the drivers brave a total of 19 stages.

Hirvonen's team-mate Latvala understands the challenge that lies ahead.

He said: “Night driving is specialised so it was important for me to test in the dark and get used to driving with the extra lights we fit to the car.

“A driver needs to feel confident with the pace notes, be brave and rely heavily on the co-driver.”

The rally will not be the only spectacle for crowds to enjoy, with double world champion and Ford ambassador Marcus Gronholm, who finished his career with the Cumbrian team, at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium before Saturday's stage.

He will give a pre-production version of the all-new Focus RS road car its public driving debut.

First published at 11:26, Wednesday, 03 December 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk