Urmo Aava - Stobart Ford: Q&A

TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH URMO AAVA: CLICK HERE

Urmo Aava made his debut for the Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team in Ireland recently. Crash.net Radio's Rob Wilkins caught up with him to discuss that outing and to look ahead to this week's Rally Norway, the second round in the 2009 World Rally Championship...

Crash.net:
Urmo, how are you feeling going to Norway?

Urmo Aava:
I am really looking forward to this event because snow is much more familiar for me than the [asphalt of the] first event in Ireland. I really can't wait. I have heard that there is a lot of snow and it will be a lot of fun driving in Norway.

Crash.net:
Ultimately I guess the result in Ireland was a bit disappointing, but you must still have been happy to have led a WRC event for the first time and set so many competitive stage times?

UA:
Of course the plan was to stay on the road but I did a little mistake and lost a lot of time. It was a little bit disappointing for us and the team. But anyhow we had some good emotions too from the Friday and leading the rally after three stages. Also at least we collected three manufacturers' points for the Stobart squad, which was also very important.

Crash.net:
What did you make of the Ford Focus RS WRC?

UA:
It is a very, very nice car and I am really looking forward to this next snow event - and also the gravel rounds. I think the car is mainly developed to be very good on ice and gravel. I think it suits my driving style quite well because I like the car to have soft suspension and be forgiving. This car is also built to have very good traction as well. It is a very, very good rally car.

Crash.net:
Generally speaking, what was the main lesson you learned from Ireland and how will it help you in Norway?

UA:
I think there was no lesson for me. It is always little lessons that you learn. But if you start to think too much about things you mess up your own mind. The most important thing is to enjoy rallying - and then always try to get faster and develop yourself. But the critical thing is to enjoy rallying and have fun and from there a good result will come. I just hope in Norway we have better luck because what happened in Ireland was just very, very unlucky. The little mistake we did cost us and led to so much trouble.

Crash.net:
Norway is a relatively new event to the WRC, and has only counted towards the championship once back in 2007. You did the event then in a Suzuki Swift S1600, will that experience be of any use?

UA:
Of course because I think some of the stages are the same as they were in 2007. At least we will know the character of the stages and I am sure it will help us to prepare for the rally and do the pace-notes. Generally speaking it is a snow rally obviously too and we have snow rallies in Estonia. I have done the Swedish Rally several times now as well and I think the roads are quite similar - although in Sweden they are maybe a bit narrower in places.

Crash.net:
How different is it competing on snow as opposed to on gravel or asphalt?

UA:
On gravel, especially slippery gravel, it is not so different. But compared to tarmac it is completely different. The level of grip is different and also the driving style is different. On snow you have to be very, very smooth and do things a little bit differently. Also the lines aren't the same. It is very hard to explain in words. But technically it is quite a lot different to driving on asphalt.

Crash.net:
Have you set yourself a target for Norway?

UA:
First of all we really want to finish this rally without any trouble. Also I think it is important to set some very good times and be as high in the final classification as possible. I think if we are in the top-four that would be really fantastic.

Crash.net:
How have you found the Stobart team so far?

UA:
It is a very, very good team and for me it is really the next level of working to be in a manufacturer team. Also the people are very friendly. In Ireland I didn't have any difficulties. It was so easy to work with everyone.

Crash.net:
What is your next event with the Stobart team after Norway?

UA:
I don't know yet. We will see after Norway. At the moment I cannot say.

Crash.net:
What is your aim for the season as a whole?

UA:
The overall aim is to maybe get some podiums and develop our speed to really be at the absolute top level in world rallying.

TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH URMO AAVA: CLICK HERE