autoevolution
 

Solberg Worried About Dust Clouds in Rally Australia

Solberg advised the Rally of Australia poses a potential dangerous problem because of its areas with loose gravel that can form dust clouds.

The rally driver complained about this to the Australian organisers and asked that the time gap between starting drivers be changed from two minutes to three minutes, in order to allow for the dust clouds to disperse.

The dry weather in the New South Wales region means that the Rally of Australia could count among the dustiest of the calendar. Solberg mentioned that the problem could even worsen in the places where the stage runs through trees, which obstruct the wind from clearing the dust.

"We need three-minute gaps [between the cars]," said Solberg. "If there's not a strong wind and we go into the dust then it's dangerous".

"They [Rally Australia organisers] said no, but we could see what happens in Sardinia when the dust is bad. It's dangerous. I hope they can make this change, otherwise you simply can't see a thing if you catch the car in front," he added.

Australian organisers said they will oversee the way the event develops and take a decission later on.

Update: Henning Solberg placed second after Citroen's Sebastien Ogier in SS2.

"It was very slippery on the first pass but I had a clean run on both stages. I was nervous before the start, but now that I have driven these two stages it will be easier going onto the gravel roads in the morning," said 24-year-old Latvala after the first runs.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram
 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories