Unfortunately, the hopes of the Russian fans for the continuation of winning streak two crew Alekseev — Lukyanyuk and Arnautova — did not come true. It's a shame accident in testing and broken as a result of this combat vehicle put an end to the plans of the fastest racers of Russia.
Forced to failure from the start left St. Petersburg in the list of participants, only one Russian crew — in the standings ERC Junior Rally Circuit of Ireland debut duo of Nicholas Gryazina and Yaroslav Fedorov.
But the main attention of the audience was focused on the fight for the overall victory. And the contenders for the top places lacking — Craig Breen, Elfin Evans, Cajetan Kaetanovich, Keith Cronin, Alastair Fisher, Tom Cave, Robert Consani, Fredrik Olin, David gods, Jaromir Tarabus, Raul Yates — the list of fastest drivers on good technique goes on and on. Suffice it to say that all the participants on the cars the most powerful category R5 in Ireland gathered exactly three dozen!
However, a good car itself is not yet a success and the Circuit of Ireland Rally convincingly proved.
Victory in the 14 special stages that were part of the program of the Irish stage of the European championship, divided between only four riders: six times excelled representative of the factory of the world rally championship team M-Sport Elfin Evans, four luck racer semi-works team PH Sport Craig Breen, three times He excelled reigning champion of Europe Cajetan Kaetanovich and once the best time showed Alastair Fisher. Other participants were content with the results from the second and below.
With such statistics on the special stages wins is not surprising that the struggle for the leadership were these four pilots. Evans led the race at first, but after the second special stage engine of his Ford Fiesta R5 began to overheat and the Welshman was forced to lay down their arms.
After leaving Elfin leadership inherited Brin — the way the Irishman until the last moment did not submit an application for participation in the rally, and only ten minutes before the expiry of the sponsor confirmed funding and Craig had to register as a participant of the race (!).
The three best times shown Bryn Evans after the disappearance, allowed him to break away from the nearest pursuer, which was Kaetanovich, 36 seconds. However, on the final day of the first SU Craig turned and he again lost to the Pole 11 seconds. But these were only the flowers...
On Saturday, the Irishman made a mistake in the choice of rubber, placing super-soft compound. On the cold pavement, such wheels are not allowed to maintain a high rate, which led to a rather low results Brin. At the end of the first section of the Saturday Craig I lost about 15 seconds on its advantages over Kaetanovichem — the struggle for the victory of seriously deteriorated.
After lunch Bryn seemingly inflated rate, but immediately broke the wheel and lost just reclaimed second — at some point between Craig and Kajetan left only five seconds! It seemed that just about the Pole and become a leader of the race. But the Irishman remained his trump card.
On the penultimate SU Craig Breen «brought» Caetano Kaetanovichu six seconds, and in the final dope traveled with him at the same pace and won though not very confident, but still win in the second round of the European Rally Championship — his home Rally Circuit of Ireland. Polak took second place, and closed the top three winners Alastair Fisher.
The standings ERC Junior was no less sharp and interesting fight. Nikolai Gryazin two victories on the special stages and at some point went second in the Junior standings, but eventually finished fourth — a great result for a debut start!
The next stage of the European Rally Championship will be held in early May in Greece — it will take the legendary Acropolis Rally.
Photo: FIA ERC
