Peter van Merksteijn Jr says he's just happy to be starting Rally d'Italia Sardegna following his minor crash during shakedown for the world championship qualifier yesterday.
The Dutchman’s Citroen DS3 WRC’s suffered a broken steering rack following an impact in a dip during the 2.06-kilometre practice stage on Thursday morning.
“I was going through a dip in a fast section, fifth or sixth gear,” said the 28-year-old. “The impact damaged the steering rack and there was a small oil leak, which caused a little fire. It was on the second run so we lost some time but we’ve got a good set-up and I’m just pleased to be doing the rally.”
Van Merksteijn Jr is making his second appearance in Sardinia. His debut on the island in 2008 at the wheel of a Group N Mitsubishi Lancer ended in a huge accident on the third stage of the event.
“It was the biggest crash I’ve ever had,” he said. “I hurt my neck a lot and needed physiotherapy for two months. It was my first time on gravel and not a good experience.”
Van Merksteijn Motorsport will be running a second DS3 WRC in Sardinia: van Merksteijn Jr’s father Peter Sr will be making his first start of 2011 in one of the French machines.
Credit: World Rally Championship (www.wrc.com)
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