Gronholm looks to home comforts in New Zealand

Melbourne, Aug 29: Finland's Marcus Gronholm is hoping the familiar gravel surfaces in this weekend's Rally New Zealand will help put further distance between himself and world champion Sebastien Loeb in the title standings.Citroen's Loeb closed the gap on the Finn to eight points after victory in the German Rally earlier this month, but Gronholm relishes the conditions in New Zealand where he will be aiming for a record fifth victory. "I like the roads here," the Ford driver said in a statement. "They are a lot like we have at home in Finland, and that has always made it very enjoyable here.

"Eight points is not so many. So my aim is to go all out for the win here, and of course we cannot make a mistake."

Gronholm, seeking his third world title after wins in 2000 and 2002, said the record was not foremost in his mind, but maximum points were.

"You know it would be very nice. But I have not really thought about it. I am first needing to concentrate on winning."

Bureau Report