Rally Rewind: Spain 2014
Last year's drivers' title decider
Sordo centre stage in Hyundai's fightback
After losing its hold on second place in the manufacturers’ championship, Hyundai Motorsport is out to reclaim the spot at next week’s RallyRACC Catalunya - Costa Daurada (22 - 25 October), the home round for its asphalt-ace, Dani Sordo.
Hyundai lost the runner-up position to Citroën on the last rally in Corsica. However, just one point separates the teams before the season's penultimate round in Spain.
Hyundai has a three-car entry for the mixed surface rally, with Thierry Neuville and Torrelavega-born Sordo representing the Hyundai Shell World Rally Team and Hayden Paddon driving for the second-tier Hyundai N squad.
Of its drivers, Sordo has the best record on the championship's Spanish fixture, with five podiums and four second places from 11 starts. Along with compatriot co-driver Marc Martí, he was a stage winner in Corsica and plans to use his home crowd as his inspiration for a strong result.
“It is always a good feeling when I drive in Spain because it is my home rally – I like to drive here in front of a lot of passionate spectators,” he said.
"I have good memories here and will use the local support to good effect. You always get an extra boost from the home crowd! I know the stages quite well but it is still a new challenge, especially as there some new stages this year.
"I like driving on both gravel and tarmac stages, but I enjoy tarmac a little bit more. It will be a fun event and I am looking forward to pushing for the best times that we can possibly get. We are hoping to gather as many points as possible in our fight for second place.”
