Standing waiting for rally cars at the side of the road, a mental picture is inevitably built in anticipation of what's to come. Invariably, perception is short of reality. But not normally by this much.

Surrounded by 10,000 Corona-fuelled Mexicans, the expectation rose as we waited alongside a jump near the end of the stage. The approach was quick, downhill. The jump was followed by a short straight before a long medium left.