Hagfors service 2: Victory in sight....
With only one stage of the Swedish International Rally remaining, Harri Rovanpera looks set for victory, but the Finn is determined to keep thoughts of the win out of his mind until he crosses the finish line. At the second service of the day Rovanpera still holds an 18-second lead over four time world champ Tommi Makinen - who admits he cannot catch his fellow countryman. Carlos Sainz currently lies fourth and stud retension problems prevented the Spaniard from wrenching third from local talent Thomas Radstrom. If conditions remain the same, the Swede is confident he can hold off the former world champion
"On SS15 I tried to go slowly off the line because there was lots of snow, but I couldn't see that in the ruts it was gravel, so the car bogged down and stalled. By then I also knew I was probably on the wrong tyres, so you don't want to know what I was saying by the time I reached the first corner. I does look good now [for the win], but I'm trying to keep victory out of my mind."
"We still have to push because Thomas [Radstrom] and Carlos [Sainz] are close behind, but I can't catch Harri [Rovanpera]."
"I'm still not taking risks, or at least no more than usual. If it's like that last stage on the next one then I think we can hold off Carlos."
"We lost so many studs on the gravel - maybe up to 40 per cent. The next stage should be better because it's fresh snow, but I don't know if it will be enough to catch Thomas."
"We didn't have perfect tyres that time, but there wasn't a great deal of difference anyway. I took a few risks..."
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