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Mikkelsen prepares for 2008 campaign |
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Tuesday, 15 January 2008 |
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 Andreas Mikkelsen has been lucky enough to benefit from some exclusive coaching from Marcus Gronholm recenlty, as he prepares for his 2008 rally campaign. The Finnish multiple WRC champion, who retired in December, is keen to help Andreas and the two have driven some kilometres together to kickstart some driving technique refinement for the Norwegian. "I've been testing up here in the mountains with the 06 car, and have probably done a total of about 300km. Marcus came here for a couple of days to teach me some techniques which has helped me a lot. I feel very prepared for the Mountain Rally, for example."
"I've been talking to Marcus now and again at the WRC rallies I took part in last year and then in Wales I went to visit him at his pre-Rally GB test and I sat in with him for a few rounds. It was great! I knew he felt he maybe wanted to help me some more when he finished his own driving and that's how it all began really."
"He came over for two driving days last week in Rødberg and sat in with me for some runs and then vice versa, I sat in with him. He explained some technique things to help me go faster on corners especially the narrow twisty ones. He showed me how to do it first so that I was not losing time on the exits of corners and I tried and of course the first time didn’t succeed too much so then we would swap seats and he would show me again and then gradually little by little I could do it more and more like him. It's so valuable and I feel like I’m learning a lot."
Andreas and Ola were leading Mountain Rally Norway in Gol when a puncture on the penultimate stage gave the lead away to 20 year old fellow Norwegian Mads Østberg, who subsequently took his ninth Norwegian rally championship victory in a row.
It was a close fight between Mikkelsen and Østberg, with the two swapping the lead throughout the early stages until Andreas edged ahead towards the end. Barring the puncture, he was almost certain to win.
"It's a shame for our rally result to be spoilt in this way, but we have nevertheless had a great day. It's a good route, nice roads and perfect conditions. We'll be back!" said Andreas after the finish.
Results Top 10 Mountain Rally Norway
1. Mads Østberg/Ole Kr. Unnerud, KNA Varna, Subaru, 1t 1min 39,2sek
2. Anders Grøndal/Maria Andersson, NMK Drammen, Subaru, +1min 33,9sek
3. Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene, Quinton MC, Ford, +5.09,6
4. Morten Østberg/Christian Østberg, KNA Varna, Subaru, +5.14,2
5. Martin Stenshorne/Ove Johnny Andersen, NMK Modum & Sigdal, Mitsubishi, +5.35
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