Valentino Rossi on the New Zealand Rally
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Crash.net said:
MotoGP ace, Valentino Rossi opted for a steady pace on the opening day of the Rally New Zealand, although as the day progressed he grew in confidence and his times improved accordingly.
Rossi began the day tentatively and was 33rd fastest in SS1 and 28th fastest in SS2, both tests extremely muddy and wet - no doubt eager to avoid a repeat of 'Rally GB 2002', when he crashed out having done less than 17 kilometres. In the afternoon though, as conditions dried out, he began to feel more and more at home in his privately entered 2005-spec Subaru Impreza and on the repeat runs through Pirongia and Te Koraha he was 20th quickest in both stages, before finishing the day off with a bit of a flourish, when he set the 13th best time in the Mystery Creek super special. Speaking after ending the day just outside the top twenty, in 24th position, he insisted he was definitely having fun: "I am very glad we had the second loop, I enjoyed it very much. I am not at all disappointed about my times because I am not watching them. We want to do the whole rally. When Carlo [Cassina - my co-driver] and I started SS1 we just said: 'We start and we look', but for sure we are being cautious.
"My only problem was a broken moose which created a big vibration at the front left wheel in the last few kilometres of the [second run through] long stage [SS4]. Still I can say that I am enjoying myself." Rossi's co-driver, Carlo Cassina echoed those thoughts, adding that their main priority is to do all 17 stages and get to the finish: "Valentino wants to finish the rally, covering the greatest number of kilometres possible to gather experience on the loose," he continued. "His final position at the finish is less important than the getting to know and exploiting his car to the full."
Rossi meanwhile has confirmed that he will also compete in the Monza Rally show next week, when he will again drive a Pirelli-shod Subaru Impreza WRC.
3 top ten stage times, the boy's doing well 7th fastest on one stage 
And now is 13th in the overall standings.
MotoGP star, Valentino Rossi continued to make progress on the Rally New Zealand on Saturday, and after a steady start on Friday he managed to claw his way up the leader-board.
Rossi began the day in 24th place overall and despite some extremely taxing conditions, with heavy rain particularly affecting the opening three tests, he managed to make up nine places on the first loop, having set the 16th fastest time in SS6, the 19th best in SS7 and a storming tenth fastest time in SS8. He then made further progress in the afternoon and set two more top ten stage times, his best in the second run through the Mystery Creek super special when he was seventh fastest. As such he now lies in 13th place overall in his privately entered Subaru Impreza.
"I am satisfied with the progress I have made today and with the P Zeros that Pirelli has supplied," he reflected. "They worked well and went straight into the right operating temperature, even though the climate is certainly not mild. Anyway, I don't want to force the pace or take useless risks. I want to finish the rally and, at the same time, enjoy myself. For now, that suits me fine."
Asked about the stages more generally he noted that the 13.88 kilometre run through Klondyke [SS7] was probably one of the toughest, while he loved the two Te Akau tests [SS9 and SS10].
"Stage seven was very difficult with lots of puddles, this one was very slippery. We took it quietly there and tried to drive very cleanly. Stage nine was one of the best - it was really flowing and it is really fantastic when it is quick [like that]. I have driven well but I lost the car in one corner and I had had a spin and that cost me about 30 seconds. The next stage [SS10] was good too. The camber is perfect on these roads, I love it. I'm having fun - the car is perfect."
Pirelli rally manager, Mario Isola meanwhile was impressed with the form of the Italian, who is more known for his exploits on two wheels than four.
"Valentino is making tangible progress," he noted. "He is setting encouraging times - especially considering the decidedly inclement weather conditions in which he is confronting this rally which is not among the simplest in the FIA World Rally Championship."
Rossi, one of only eleven drivers competing on the Rally New Zealand with a top spec 'WRC car', will now start the third and final day of the rally 16 minutes and 45.9 seconds behind leader Marcus Gronholm, but he is just over four-minutes from an overall top ten position.
7th fastest on one stage And now is 13th in the overall standings. crash.net said:
MotoGP star, Valentino Rossi continued to make progress on the Rally New Zealand on Saturday, and after a steady start on Friday he managed to claw his way up the leader-board.
Rossi began the day in 24th place overall and despite some extremely taxing conditions, with heavy rain particularly affecting the opening three tests, he managed to make up nine places on the first loop, having set the 16th fastest time in SS6, the 19th best in SS7 and a storming tenth fastest time in SS8. He then made further progress in the afternoon and set two more top ten stage times, his best in the second run through the Mystery Creek super special when he was seventh fastest. As such he now lies in 13th place overall in his privately entered Subaru Impreza.
"I am satisfied with the progress I have made today and with the P Zeros that Pirelli has supplied," he reflected. "They worked well and went straight into the right operating temperature, even though the climate is certainly not mild. Anyway, I don't want to force the pace or take useless risks. I want to finish the rally and, at the same time, enjoy myself. For now, that suits me fine."
Asked about the stages more generally he noted that the 13.88 kilometre run through Klondyke [SS7] was probably one of the toughest, while he loved the two Te Akau tests [SS9 and SS10].
"Stage seven was very difficult with lots of puddles, this one was very slippery. We took it quietly there and tried to drive very cleanly. Stage nine was one of the best - it was really flowing and it is really fantastic when it is quick [like that]. I have driven well but I lost the car in one corner and I had had a spin and that cost me about 30 seconds. The next stage [SS10] was good too. The camber is perfect on these roads, I love it. I'm having fun - the car is perfect."
Pirelli rally manager, Mario Isola meanwhile was impressed with the form of the Italian, who is more known for his exploits on two wheels than four.
"Valentino is making tangible progress," he noted. "He is setting encouraging times - especially considering the decidedly inclement weather conditions in which he is confronting this rally which is not among the simplest in the FIA World Rally Championship."
Rossi, one of only eleven drivers competing on the Rally New Zealand with a top spec 'WRC car', will now start the third and final day of the rally 16 minutes and 45.9 seconds behind leader Marcus Gronholm, but he is just over four-minutes from an overall top ten position.
Well done that man. Rather significant improvement over the performance in Rally GB a few years ago. When you've got talent it appears that you've got it everywhere. Wonder how Loeb would do on a MotoGP bike, by the looks of things not so well considering his difficulties with a pushbike... 
Yep I met him on SS8 - really nice guy, surprisingly shy too. He and Wilson went first - big advantage as the stage deteriorated badly almost as soon as they'd gone through.
Also caught up with him on Superspecial 12 at Mystery Creek - fantastic performance on that and he was only just beaten by Gronholm. I think he has the chance of a good career in WRC.
Henning Solberg went well - light roll in the 307 didn't deter him from a balls out attack at Mystery Creek.
NZ rally is great - hardly any crowds and the chance to get up close to all the drivers..who seemed relaxed too - even Gronholm...
Also caught up with him on Superspecial 12 at Mystery Creek - fantastic performance on that and he was only just beaten by Gronholm. I think he has the chance of a good career in WRC.
Henning Solberg went well - light roll in the 307 didn't deter him from a balls out attack at Mystery Creek.
NZ rally is great - hardly any crowds and the chance to get up close to all the drivers..who seemed relaxed too - even Gronholm...
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