Patrik Sandell is a familiar face in the world of Red Bull, but the man sitting in the co-driver’s seat next to him isn’t – yet.
Staffan Parmander has teamed up with Patrik for the first time this year, but he’s got more experience of world rallying than he probably cares to remember. A former winner of Rally Sweden, Parmander co-drove for Kenneth Eriksson at the very top level of the World Rally Championship for more than 10 years in factory cars such as the Subaru Impreza WRC and Hyundai Accent WRC, but he’s also dabbled in historic rallying, finishing on the podium on the East African Safari Classic with a Datsun 260Z in 2009.
This year, the Swede is contesting the Intercontinental Rally Challenge alongside Sandell in a Skoda Fabia S2000, but their season starts in Sweden, where they are doing rather well by holding ninth place with one day of the event remaining.
We put Staffan under the Red Bull spotlight...
What persuaded you to come back to rallying with Red Bull and Patrik Sandell?
“My family has grown up, my kids have left home and I still feel in good form. I have been in contact with the sport all the time, especially with Patrik. I have been working with Patrik and Emil and I have a close relationship especially with Patrik. When I am in the car I recognise that I love it. It’s good to be back.”
What's the programme for you and Patrik this year?
“We are doing seven rounds of the IRC to start with. The first one will be Corsica in May.”
“We're going for victory that’s for sure."
Kris Meeke, who has also had backing from Red Bull, did quite well in the IRC: do you think you can emulate his achievements?
“We're going for victory that’s for sure. With the driving he's doing now, I am sure we will be competitive. I rate him very highly and he showed me he is capable to be at the top.”
You’ve won Rally Sweden in the past. What’s the key to success?
“You have to be brave to keep the foot down. In these fast sections, you can gain time and you have to be very precise and have the balls to do it. In the twisty sections, you can lose time but you have to do your best and keep the momentum going.”
You seem to have done everything when it comes to rallying, who's your biggest rally hero?
“The double world champion Marcus Gronholm. I rate him first of all as a really good friend, but he has also done so much good for the sport. His whole personality is good. His driving is so good, he is so committed to what he was doing. He was the only one for me who could really challenge Sebastien Loeb.”
Want more?
- Check out redbull.com's event page dedicated to Rally Sweden
- Patrik Sandell's profile page
- Official site of the WRC
- Read the latest WRC news at www.Crash.net
Comments
Add a comment