Joined by his co-driver Ignacio Salvador, Coma showed himself confident and highlighted that his main aim is to finish the race and to gather experience
Marc Coma has started to prepare his participation in the 2006 Baja España Madrid Aragón today at the Jarama circuit at the wheel of a Mitsubishi Montero. The Repsol rider, winner of the 2006 Dakar Rally in the motorbike class, will have his debut at the wheel of a racing car in the Spanish event joined by co-driver Ignacio Salvador, with the aim of finishing the race and getting experience for future occasions.
Scrutineering and sporting checks for the Baja are being carried out today at the Jarama circuit, and Marc Coma and his team, have presented the participation project to the media, together with officials of Mitsubishi Motor España
The prologue stage of the race will be staged tomorrow in the Spanish track, covering 4,75 kilometres, serving Marc to get to know the car better in order to face the first long specials to be staged from Friday. The car with which the Repsol rider will be racing at the event is a Montero as much evolved as possible among the monohull cars. The engine is further in the back compared to the street model, located in a central front position, a sequential six-speed Sadev gearbox, 3.2 DiD engine of approx. 240 HP, independent suspension, compound brakes and partially carbon bodywork.
Marc Coma: My experience in a racing car is reduced to the test I did last week. I have some references but Im calm because Im not supposed to be fast at the Baja but to finish the race and cover a lot of kilometres. The experience gathered will be very useful for the future. I want to thank once again Mitsubishi and Repsol for the chance they have given me. I have been able to make use of it because the dates are good and I had a small break before starting to prepare the Dakar Rally. Once the preparation has started Ill focus exclusively on motorbikes and there will be no time left for any other car race. The help of my co-driver Ignacio Salvador, who has a lot of experience, will be very useful.
Ignacio Salvador: Marc and I have never raced together, but I know that hes got clear ideas and Im sure that well understand each other easily. Well start slowly to get to know the car and our way to work and I think that well be able to reach our aim which is finishing the race.
