Tanak’s a fast learner in Mexico

Estonian star Ott Tanak says he has learned a huge amount from competing on Rally Guanajuato Mexico in a World Rally Car for the first time.

The Ford Fiesta RS WRC driver is running in sixth place midway through the second day of the third round of the FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia.

Tanak’s clean run through the high altitude stages was spoiled when he suffered a puncture on the second loop of stages today, but other than that he is enjoying his outing in Central America.

“It definitely does take time to get used to the car in these conditions,” said Tanak. “I competed here last year with the S2000 car, but I didn’t get much through the second day, so I was missing some experience of these roads. I’m here to learn and that’s how I’m driving. I don’t want to take big risks because I want to be at the finish with no problems.

“The key to driving here is to keep the car as straight as you can, with not so much sliding. But you can carry the speed into the corner, but then you are sliding and you can run out of power because of the altitude. It’s not so easy.”

Tanak’s mentor Markko Martin knows this event well, having won the first WRC-qualifying Rally Mexico in 2004.