WRC 2
Greensmith ready for new WRC2 challenge with Toyota
Next week’s Safari Rally Kenya marks not only the start of Gus Greensmith’s WRC2 campaign but also the beginning of a new partnership, as the Brit makes the switch from Škoda to Toyota machinery.
After three years behind the wheel of the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, Greensmith will embrace a fresh challenge as he gets to grips with the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 in preparation for another assault on the WRC2 title - once again teaming up with the RaceSeven squad.
The process of acclimatising to the GR Yaris Rally2 began with a three-day test on Portugal’s gravel roads, followed by a further test day in Kenya ahead of the African round, which marks Greensmith’s first start of the season.
Last year, Greensmith found himself locked in the title fight, claiming victories on rough gravel rallies in Kenya and Saudi Arabia on his way to fourth in the final standings. His bid was ultimately undone by mechanical issues in Chile and Japan.
After a successful partnership with Škoda, Greensmith believes now is the right time for change.
“We have had three good years with Škoda and I enjoyed them, and I had some very good success, but I think it was about time for a change,” said Greensmith.
“I think it became clear as day that a lot of drivers who had jumped into the Toyota have all seen a step forward in pace. I have always enjoyed working with Škoda and I have always wanted to give them a certain level of loyalty, but I think it just got to the point that it is too night and day [difference between the cars], so I wanted to make the change.
“So far all of the testing has gone well and it is definitely a trickier car to drive than the Škoda. The Škoda is a very well-adapted car for everyone to jump into, but after the third day of testing I was becoming pretty happy.”
While Greensmith admits the Toyota presents a new challenge, the strengths of the car have already become clear after his initial mileage. The former M-Sport Ford driver is confident he will quickly settle into his new office.
“The philosophy [of the car] is very different to the Škoda, so it is a very different way of driving, especially compared to my driving style. But Toyota have been great to work with and we went through an extensive test plan. They explained the philosophy of the car and adapted it to a few things I like. By the end of the test I was feeling very comfortable in the car.
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“I think the front end of the car is incredibly strong and that was the thing I had to adjust to the most. How quickly it pulls you into the line is really impressive.
“I think if you put a Škoda and Toyota back-to-back on a stage and ran them over and over again there would be very little difference between the two. But at the moment it feels like the Toyota is doing a lot to help you in more of a rally situation, where not every input will be perfect. It is too early for me to say properly, but that is the feeling I have had so far.
“One of the main things during the three test days was to study all the manuals and get to know it. The more time I have and the more practice I get [working on the car] - hopefully not too much practice - I will understand it better. Generally it seems the rear is simple to work on, but the idea is that I don’t have to do any of that.
“As the season goes on I will understand it more and I suppose Kenya is not really about out-and-out performance in the car, it needs a bit of mitigation for the conditions. I should be bang on it with no excuses by the time we get to Portugal.”
Greensmith expects his WRC2 programme to follow a similar pattern to last year but has hinted he may add a couple more fast rallies. For now, however, the focus is on starting strongly at Safari Rally Kenya - an event where he has claimed WRC2 victory in each of the past two editions.
“I’m feeling good but we will have to see how it goes. Kenya can either be brilliant or a disaster. The last two years haven’t been too bad to me so I’m hoping to be on the better side,” he added.
“I think the rougher rallies have always been my strongest area as a driver. Kenya is probably the roughest of the lot. You need a bit of sympathy and to understand where the car can go, and you need to be able to push the car as close to the limit as possible without taking it too far. It is something that works well for me and it is why I like to start my season in Kenya - and the place is incredible as well.”
