Ypres Rally has a rich history — this year it has been held 52 times. 36 times the victory in this race celebrated Belgian riders, with ten times as did Freddy Loix.
If we talk about the «Varyag» — racers-winners who were born outside Belgium — the list of them is a kind of «Hall of Fame» of the world rally. Judge for yourself — Miki Biasion, Henri Toivonen, Walter Röhrl, Jean Ranotti, Kris Meeke, Jimmy McRae, Jean-Claude Andryue, Tony Pond, Darnish Bernard, Bernard Beguin, Henrik Lundgaard, Juho Hanninen and Giandomenico Basso.
It is not surprising that the chances of Belgian riders before the start of the Rally of Ypres in 2016 regarded much higher. Moreover, that try their hand in the battle with the local authorities came not so much of «foreigners». And those that came, with all due respect it was difficult to name favorites for the rally.
Stéphane Lefebvre third time came to start the rally, but before qualifying it immediately with equipment problems. For Bryan Bouffier was the fifth Rally of Ypres, but the Frenchman is currently performing very rare and reel is important here than anywhere else. Aleksey Lukyanuk debuted in Belgium, but it is not enough — and he still managed to catch a cold, sad way that affected his speech.
The rest of the «newcomers» are not enough stars in heaven, and on the remaining stages of the European Rally Championship, so in Belgium, they could count only on the problems of their rivals.
As a result, the best foreign riders became Hungarian Ermen Kobus, who finished in fourth place. And the whole podium was busy Belgian riders.
The victory in the Rally of Ypres Freddy Loix won. Experienced Belgian spent the first day of the race in second position behind Bouffier, and ahead of the Frenchman and went into the lead on the first day of the second special stage. After four special stages and Brian did come down due to a fault, giving the «Fast Freddie» the opportunity to quietly win.
Chris finished second Prinsen — he lost to his countryman for nearly a minute. He closed the top three winners Bernd Kase, behind the winner in 1 minute 20 seconds.
Fourth place went to Hungarian Ermen Kobus, and after him — two more Belgian Vincent Vershuren and Peter Tshun. Next — Czech Jaromir Tarabus, Belgians Claude Tanju and Kevin Demarshalk and again Czech Antonin Tlustak.
And where are those who had to contend with local drivers? Lefebvre and Bouffier summed reliability of their Citroen DS3 R5 — is a wake-up call for the French automaker. A Lukyanyuk flew on the first day and came down. A second re-entered the race start, but the failed engine control unit did not allow him to continue the fight.
No luck and the other Russian Nikolay Gryazina — his race was strangely similar to the rally by Lukyanyuk. He turned over on all the same ill-fated first special stage, and the second day Nicholas refused electrician.
The next stage of the European Championship will take place in Estonia from 15 to 17 July.
