Blogi: melville

Right, so since I last wrote I've been off on a little rally recce of my own. Ah, good man, you're thinking – checking out that fast right over crest that was Petter Solberg's downfall on Ouninpohja west in 2006, or the stone that served to seriously reconfigure Jari-Matti Latvala's front suspension on Palsankylä in 2007? Wrong. This was a visit to an altogether more exotic venue, but one where Jyväskylä and Finnish rally stars are just as fondly remembered: Sardinia's Costa Smeralda.

Eight down, seven to go, and with just three points separating Mikko Hirvonen and Sebastian Loeb in the drivers' championship standings it really couldn't be much closer. Hirvonen consistent, with two victories and no blanks so far, the Frenchman in imperious form on five of this year's events but forced to accept the proverbial nul points in Sweden and Jordan.