ERC – Cruel for Cais as King Kopecky extends his reign

Erik Cais lost out on his first FIA European Rally Championship victory in dramatic conditions when he crashed into retirement on the last stage of the 50th Barum Czech Rally Zlin, handing a file-extending ninth outright tournament hang to Jan Kopecký within the job.

The 22-year-ragged local hero became 20.2s in front on the relief of a stellar force in his Yacco ACCR Crew Ford Fiesta Rally2. However a fracture approximately 13 kilometres from start up of the deciding Májová stage intended heartbreak for Cais and co-driver Jindřiška Žáková, who climbed out of their overturned automobile uninjured.

Cais easiest took up rallying in 2018 after damage pressured him to call time on his profession as a talented downhill mountain bike racer. He progressed to the ERC’s high-flight via single seasons in ERC3 Junior and ERC1 Junior and has enrolled within the ERC-MICHELIN Abilities Manufacturing facility for 2021. Even though he’s proven promise at some level of his stint within the European championship, his efficiency on his local tournament underlined his improbable progression. It became therefore an agonising pause to an elegant advise their own praises by Cais and Žáková, which included wins on every passes of the legendary Pindula test amongst seven fastest stage conditions.

Kopecký, who admitted earlier within the tournament that his compatriot had the beating of him, acknowledged Cais became the right winner at the live of the last stage. “He deserved the hang, that’s easy,” acknowledged the Agrotec Škoda Rally Crew driver. “He became unbelievably at this time in Pindula however the rally finishes on the podium. Erik became the king of this day, he did a terribly gigantic job besides one mistake which price him the hang of the rally. However we are doing this sport to assign success and that’s the necessary focus and I would treasure to claim a tall thanks to my co-driver Jan [Hloušek]. We easiest had about a months to slay the team and fetch the sponsors and partners and so we also deserved this hang. This became the most refined Barum Rally I in actuality occupy performed in my profession with the necessities altering the total time.”

Cais: “It became a slippery explain, there became a runt straight into a aesthetic-five. I became quite correct on the braking but I anticipated there could well be no longer so well-known slipppy and it slipped from the left rear and there became no method relief. I hit something within the ditch and it broke the wheel and rolled one time and stayed on the side. It became a itsy-bitsy mistake with a mountainous affect and I apologise to all people. However I am hoping we made Zlín proud and the Czech Republic proud on some stages and I desire to thank the total followers and my team and my partners who are supporting me in these onerous conditions. I feel a anguish in my heart but now we occupy got to house the Azores.”

Andreas Mikkelsen arrived in Zlín one level within the relief of Alexey Lukyunuk within the ERC standings. However when Lukyanuk became unable to start up following a automobile-wrecking testing fracture on Wednesday, Mikkelsen became handed a gilt-edged opportunity to switch into the European championship lead, which he maximised in his Toksport WRT Škoda by finishing 2d. “This became in actuality crucial for the championship and we occupy got quite an correct margin,” the Norwegian acknowledged. “For certain it’s a disgrace Lukyanuk didn’t attain the rally because he would occupy positively mixed in with the strive against. I’m delighted with our efficiency this weekend, we knew it became going to be refined with the Czech drivers because it’s nearly 10 years since I became last right here. However I would positively occupy signed for 2d explain sooner than the rally.”

Filip Mareš became any other driver to support after Cais crashed out, the 2019 ERC1 Junior champion taking third explain to complete and all-MICHELIN-equipped Škoda podium. “To be on the podium on this refined rally is unbelievable and I’m more than happy,” acknowledged Mareš. “It’s scandalous success for Erik, he deserved the victory then any other time it’s treasure that and third explain is improbable for us.”

Norbert Herczig persisted his solid bustle of construct by finishing fourth for Škoda Rally Crew Hungaria, 3.8s within the relief of Mareš, with Efrén Llarena finishing the tip six for Rallye Crew Spain within the relief of ORLEN Crew’s Miko Marczyk, who performed fifth as the leading ERC-MICHELIN Abilities Manufacturing facility member.

Callum Devine became one of the best-positioned Zlín rookie in seventh in his Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy Ford Fiesta Rally2 as Miroslav Jakeš, Yoann Bonato (CHL Sport Auto Citroën C3 Rally2) and Martin Koči rounded out the tip 10. Slovakian Koči’s 10th explain became critically necessary after he became known as as much as substitute Roman Odložilík on the eve of the tournament.

Petr Semerád took P11 with Martin Vlček giving Hyundai’s all-unusual i20 N Rally2 its ERC debut in P12. Alberto Battistolli performed his Zlín debut in P13 with Ken Torn a hit ERC Junior in P14 aboard his Pirelli-equipped Ford Fiesta Rally2 bustle by M-Sport Poland. Luis Vilariño, any other Zlín newcomer, became P15.

Simon Wagner became heading to a elegant fourth unless a broken driveshaft wrecked his hopes on SS12. Jari Huttunen crashed his Crew MRF Tyres entry on SS7 and became unable to restart which ability that of damage. Albert von Thurn und Taxis also didn’t complete SS7, while Adam Březik became unable to start up the test which ability that of a mechanical failure. He did restart on day two, then any other time, but went off the road on SS12. Tomáš Kostka’s rare rally start up lasted for below two stages after the Czech broken his Fabia’s front-aesthetic wheel hitting a tree on SS2. Dominik Stříteský, who scored a championship level on his ERC debut in Roma last month, crashed at high tempo on SS3 and became taken to well being heart for precautionary tests.

Champion Érdi Jr takes first ERC2 victory of 2021, Poloński unbeaten in Abarth Rally Cup

Defending champion Tibor Érdi Jr scored his first ERC2 hang of the season – but breathed a state of reduction aboard his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. The Hungarian started leg two leading the manufacturing-basically based entirely class by 36.3s but returned to noon service in Otrokovice 14.6s in front of Victor Cartier. On the opposite hand, Cartier had performed SS12 with water pouring from his Toyota Yaris Rally2 Equipment which ability that of a broken radiator and the Frenchman would plug no extra, leaving Érdi Jr to consume a formidable victory ahead of Abarth Rally Cup winner Dariusz Poloński. Martin Rada and Roberto Gobbin performed third and fourth in ERC2 and 2d and third within the one-construct Abarth series respectively. Csaba Juhász became fifth after a succession of complications, as Michał Pryczek recovered to live sixth after crashing on SS4 and overcoming a puncture on SS12 in his Subaru Impreza. Dmitry Feofanov remains on high of the ERC2 standings but is now equal on choices with Poloński after a fraught weekend. The Latvia-basically based entirely driver went off the road on SS6, restarted this morning but crashed out for safe on SS12.

Bassas is the ERC3 boss as Franceschi fights relief to lift ERC3 Junior

With a lead of 56s starting the last leg, Rallye Crew Spain’s Pep Bassas delivered one of the best mix of tempo and consistency to lift ERC3 in his Pirelli-equipped Peugeot 208 Rally4. Jean-Baptiste Franceschi (Toksport WRT Renault Clio Rally4) performed 2d in ERC3 and added the ERC3 Junior victory to his list of achievements despite being handed a three-minute time penalty for an early test-in on Saturday morning. Like a flash Romanian Norbert Maior beat Martin László to 2d explain in ERC3 Junior and third in ERC3 by 4.0s after his Hungarian rival went off the road at a junction with regards to the live of SS14. Local driver Daniel Polášek performed the ERC3 Junior high four. Łukasz Lewandowski positioned eighth in his Opel Corsa Rally4 with Adrienn Vogel and Ekaterina Stratieva P11 and P12 respectively. Sami Pajari, Nikolai Landa and Gash Loof restarted this morning following their exits on day one and performed P13-15 respectively in ERC3 and fifth-seventh in ERC3 Junior. Alejandro Cachón restarted after going off the road on leg one but retired his Rallye Crew Spain-entered Peugeot with a broken turbo after SS10.

Torn as much as the mark in ERC Junior

With fellow Estonian Kauri Pannas co-driving, Ken Torn took any other crucial step against a hit the FIA ERC Junior Championship – and the FIA Junior World Rally Championship prize force in 2022 – with the class hang ahead of Oscar Solberg, who restarted following his day-one off. Torn, who now has three ERC Junior victories below his belt, also underlined the competitiveness of his Pirelli-equipped Ford Fiesta Rally3 by finishing within the tip 15 total.

Mabellini makes it a Clio Trophy by Toksport WRT hat-trick

Andrea Mabellini prolonged his a hit bustle within the Clio Trophy by Toksport WRT to three events with any other solid showing alongside co-driver Virginia Lenzi. The Italian beat Bastien Bergounhe and Ghjuvanni Rossi to 2d and third respectively. For Bergounhe, the final result marked his perfect live to this level within the arrive-and-force series for the Renault Clio Rally5 on MICHELIN tyres, while Rossi has performed on the podium on all four rounds bustle to this level. It became a fraught morning for Paulo Soria, then any other time. The Argentine dropped from 2d in a single day to fourth after contact with a chicane on SS11 left his automobile with a broken turbo pipe. It bought worse on SS12 when a heavy touchdown broke his Clio’s rear suspension.

ERC-MICHELIN Abilities Manufacturing facility contributors galvanize on Barum Czech Rally Zlín

Miko Marczyk became one of the best-positioned ERC-MICHELIN Abilities Manufacturing facility member in fifth total adopted by Efrén Llarena after Erik Cais crashed out. The ERC-MICHELIN Abilities Manufacturing facility is an incentive scheme for young stars in Rally2 automobiles and featured newcomer Adam Březik for the necessary time. On the opposite hand, the local driver crashed out of his house tournament on SS12.

P1 Racing Fuels Podium Advise rewards drivers

The P1 Racing Fuels Podium Advise continues in 2021. It rewards the tip three finishers in ERC1 and ERC2 on all rounds of the championship with gas vouchers that is also exchanged for P1 XR5 coast gas at subsequent events, serving to rivals to extra lower the price of competing. Throughout every categories, the a hit drivers got 150 litres of gas, while the 2d and third positioned drivers got 100L and 50L respectively. Extra knowledge: www.p1racingfuels.com

LEG ONE REPORT:

https://www.fiaerc.com/press-start/erc-zlin-leg-one-file-night-rider-cais-upstages-king-of-zlin-kopecky-to-lead-at-house/

Day two newsfeed accessible on assign apart a query to by emailing: paula_dequidt@discovery.com

PROVISIONAL TOP 15 ERC POSITIONS (after 15 stages, 210.92 kilometres)

1 Jan Kopecký (CZE)/Jan Hloušek (CZE) Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo 2h00m07.2s

2 Andreas Mikkelsen (NOR)/Jonas Andersson (SWE) Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo +40.1s

3 Filip Mareš (CZE)/Radovan Bucha (CZE) Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo +1m40.2s

4 Norbert Herczig (HUN)/Ramón Ferencz (HUN) Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo +1m44.0s

5 Miko Marczyk (POL)/Szymon Gospodarczyk (POL) Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo +2m28.5s M

6 Efrén Llarena (ESP)/Sara Fernández (ESP) Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo +3m09.4s M

7 Callum Devine (IRL)/James Fulton (IRL) Ford Fiesta Rally2 +3m22.8s

8 Miroslav Jakeš (CZE)/Petr Machů (CZE) Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo +4m50.7s

9 Yoann Bonato (FRA)/Benjamin Boullloud (FRA) Citroën C3 Rally2 +5m13.4s

10 Martin Koči (SVK)/Martin Tureček (CZE) Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo +6m00.0s

11 Petr Semerád (CZE)/Danny Persein (CZE) Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo +6m12.0s

12 Martin Vlček (CZE)/Karolína Jugasová (CZE) Hyundai i20 N Rally2 +8m25.3s

13 Alberto Battistolli (ITA)/Simone Scattolin (ITA) Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo +9m34.5s

14 Ken Torn (EST)/Kauri Pannas (EST) Ford Fiesta Rally3 +9m40.7s

15 Luis Vilariño (ESP)/José Murado (ESP) Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo +11m21.7s

M = Eligible for ERC-MICHELIN Abilities Manufacturing facility incentives

FIA ERC2: Tibor Érdi Jr (HUN)/Zoltán Csökö (HUN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

FIA ERC3:  Pep Bassas (ESP)/Axel Coronado (ESP) Peugeot 208 Rally4

FIA ERC Junior:  Ken Torn (EST)/Kauri Pannas (EST) Ford Fiesta Rally3

FIA ERC3 Junior:  Jean-Baptiste Franceschi (FRA)/Anthony Gorguilo (FRA) Renault Clio Rally4

Abarth Rally Cup:  Dariusz Poloński (POL)/Łukasz Sitek (POL) Abarth 124 rally

Clio Trophy by Toksport WRT: Andrea Mabellini (ITA)/Virginia Lenzi (ITA) Renault Clio Rally5

ERC-MICHELIN Abilities Manufacturing facility: Miko Marczyk (POL) Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo

Dwell timing and results: https://www.fiaerc.com/are living-timing/

RALLY LEADERS

SS1-SS8: Kopecký/Hloušek

SS9-SS14:  Cais/Žáková

SS15:  Kopecký/Hloušek

KEY STATISTICS:

ERC rally wins in 2021: Basso, Gryazin, Kopecký and Lukyanuk 1

ERC stage wins in 2021: Gryazin 13; Basso, Cais and Kopecký 7; Mikkelsen 5; Crugnola and Lukyanuk 4; Breen 3; Chuchała, Herczig, Llarena and Tempestini 1

CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS: Click on right here the provisional positions after 4/8.

What’s next? ERC 2021, Spherical 4 of 8: 55th Azores Rallye (Gravel), September 16-18, 2021

The rally in 100 phrases: In accordance to the mid-Atlantic Ocean archipelago’s biggest island of São Miguel, the rally turns 55 in 2021 and remains regarded as one of the most spectacular events on the worldwide calendar. Stages criss-unsuitable breath-taking surroundings and lush geographical region and are characterised by their sandy surface and narrow and undulating nature. And since the timed tests are in most cases no wider than the width of a automobile, there is merely no margin for error, critically on the Sete Cidades test along the rim of a volcanic crater lake. Glum climate is also a voice with prerequisites switching from sunshine to showers and fog patches. Event media contact:  Ricardo Nascimento, ricardo.nascimento@azoresrallye.com Web assign: https://www.azoresrallye.com