H&H-157

s e k a r b d Han s n i p r i a H & ld of rallying r o w e h t o t in t h ig your ins

Cover

Cyprus set for 2010 IRC finale

Issue 157 • 04 - 10 Nov 2010

Features

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RBF selling rally rides, P6 BBevan evan Bertholdt B th ldt mourned, P7 Safari Rally and FIA, P6

News

Events IIRC, RC PP10 RRC, EERC, R P9

BRC and Irish rally news USA rallying news and updates WRC and IRC W nnews updates

Contents / Issue 157 Editorial Information

04

News

Editor Evan Rothman Photojournalist Eva Kovkova Contributors RallyBuzz, Motorpics, Liga Stirna.

06

Features

06 06 07 07

FIA, the Safari Rally and Kyalami RBF sells rally rides on eBay Bevan Berholdt mourned Rallyfest NW draws thousands of fans

08

Events

08 09 10 11

Carrick on Suir Rally review ERC Rallye du Valais review IRC Rally Cyprus preview Golden Stage Rally preview

All content copyrighted property of HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS, 200710. This publication is fully protected by copyright and nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the editor. While reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of information from sources and given to readers, the editor cannot accept responsibility for any inconvenience or damage that may arise therefrom.

Welcome to H&H!

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Welcome to issue 156 of HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS, your FREE weekly insight into the world of rallying.

As always, I hope you enjoy this week’s exciting edition.

Yours in Rallying, Evan Rothman

THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF RALLYING

RallyBuzz.com features European rally championships, British rallying, RallyCar events, international rally results and videos, as well as S2000 and WRC news.

www.RallyBuzz.com

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e world of rallying

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Bringing you the latest international rally news, extensive event previews and reviews, indepth feature and technical articles, awardwinning photography and insightful columnists, HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS is distributed to your e-mail inbox each week for FREE in the form of a high-quality 2MB .PDF file.

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Team & Event News WRC IRC South African Rallying DAILY ONLINE UPDATES For your convenience, here are the news items in this easy-toclick menu page: WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP Petter Solberg in a kart (VIDEO): http://wp.me/ppkXc-28v Group B Sanremo Rally (VIDEO): http://wp.me/ppkXc-28r RBF Rally rides up for grabs: http://wp.me/ppkXc-29H

INTERNATIONAL RALLYING AND OFF-ROAD RACING Proton ready for Asia-Pacific battle: http://wp.me/ppkXc-28X White aims for new Targa title: http://wp.me/ppkXc-29h USA AND RALLYCAR RALLY NEWS AND EVENTS Win a Travis Pastrana signed wheel: http://wp.me/ppkXc-29s Moro in Rallycross Championship: http://wp.me/ppkXc-29m

EUROPEAN AND INTERCONTINENTAL RALLY CHALLENGE The Citroën DS3 R3 makes its mark: http://wp.me/ppkXc-28Z Crews to push in Golden Stage Rally: http://wp.me/ppkXc-28V Campana eyes Clio title: http://wp.me/ppkXc-28S Wilks set for 2011 IRC Peugeot: http://wp.me/ppkXc-29w Footage of IRC Rally of Scotland: http://wp.me/ppkXc-29C Mikkelsen ready for 2010 IRC finale: http://wp.me/ppkXc-29k BRITISH AND IRISH RALLYING Rally fans flock to Rallyfest NW: http://wp.me/ppkXc-297 Pritchard heads to Tempest: http://wp.me/ppkXc-294 Williams to tackle Wales Rally GB: http://wp.me/ppkXc-291 News from Irish Evolution Challenge: http://wp.me/ppkXc-29u Preview of 2011 Jack Frost Stages: http://wp.me/ppkXc-29q Carrick on Suir Motor Club event: http://wp.me/ppkXc-29o AFRICAN AND SOUTH AFRICAN RALLYING Off-road maternity mourns Bevan Bertholdt: http://wp.me/ ppkXc-29K

THIS WEEK’S BEST VIDEOS << With the World Rally Championship fast heading towards its exciting 2010 climxax in Wales, this video preview of the 2010 event will help you in making up your mind as to whether you are in doubts about travelling to this unique event: http://wp.me/ppkXc-21J At the top of each page, a tabbed section contains video clicks we recommend viewing. In other tabbed sections, we have linked articles posted on our website that will add more perspective and insight into the article it accompanies. Together with the videos, HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS aims to offer readers a fully-interactive reading experience.

Send evanrothman@gmail.com your favourite rally-related videos to to be featured in this section. Or, send us a twitter to @Evan_Rothman or a message on Facebook.

THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF RALLYING

RallyBuzz.com features European rally championships, British rallying, RallyCar events, international rally results and videos, as well as S2000 and WRC news.

www.RallyBuzz.com

NEWS

Features

Issue 157 • 04 - 10 Nov

Events

Petter Solberg in a kart (VIDEO): http://wp.me/ppkXc-28v

Group B Sanremo Rally (VIDEO): http://wp.me/ppkXc-28r

Download the iRally app for your iPhone here for FREE!

HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS NOW AVAILABLE IN SEVEN LANGUAGES! The power and universal appeal of both the Internet and rallying around the world has prompted me to offer H&H’s website in seven different languages. Simply visit the website, scroll down to find you favoured language (represented by a country’s flag) and select. It is that easy!

The iRally App is produced by Crown House Media, the wellknown UK TV and radio agency which created, owns and operates the popular World Rally Radio internet radio station.

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Rally cartoon launched: RUSTY RIMS by Evan Rothman

With the recent news that MINI and Prodrive had signed with WRCs bosses to enter the World Rally Championship for 20111, the hnt for suitable drivers began minutes after the announcement was made.

Marcus Gronholm, Kris Meeke, Kevin Abbring jr, P-G. Andersson and even Petter Solberg’s name has been mentioned in the press. With Kris Meeke at the forefront of this supposed race for the seat, RUSTY RIMS was created.

View and read this cartoon on H&H’s website at: http://wp.me/ppkXc-1Ky

With the ever-increasing number of events and news items being published on a daily basis, HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS has published relevant news items to its website and Facebook Page, and we also feature breath-taking videos from YouTube!

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e world of rallying

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Bringing you the latest international rally news, extensive event previews and reviews, indepth feature and technical articles, awardwinning photography and insightful columnists, HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS is distributed to your e-mail inbox each week for FREE in the form of a high-quality 2MB .PDF file.

To receive this FREE eMagazine (in .PDF format), please send an email to evanrothman@gmail.com.

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Features

Interviews Exclusive columnists In-depth articles

FIA PRESIDENT: THE SAFARI RALLY AND KYALAMI RACE TRACK Words: Abdul Sidi For those who had wished to be told that Kenya will soon be reinstated into the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) circus will be disappointed following the visit of the President of the World Motor Sports Governing Body, Jean Todt, to Kenya recently.

The international media contingent, who had anticipated a scoop on the subject of the Safari Rally returning to the WRC status since it was dropped in 2003, found the theme of the Conference an anti-climatic affair as it was Road Safety that was on the agenda and not motor racing as expected.

As the governing body of world motor sport and the representative of millions of motoring consumers worldwide the FIA has a unique interest and expertise in a wide range of automotive, motoring and mobility issues.

From road safety and the environment to consumer protection, the FIA actively promotes and protects the interests of motorists at the United Nations, within the European Union and with other international bodies.

The FIA is also the governing body for motor sport worldwide. It administers the rules and regulations for all international four-wheel motor sport including the FIA Formula One World Championship, FIA World Rally Championship and FIA World Touring Car Championship.

After being bombarded with questions on whether the Safari Rally will be considered as a WRC event in the nearest future, the FIA President was non-committal saying he had no powers to single-handedly dictate on the fate of Kenya’s premiere event.

“It is a matter that needs to be discussed by the World Rallies Commission before it is ratified by the members of the World Council. Then a solution can be found on Kenya’s bid to regain WRC status.”

He added: “‘I am optimistic Kenya can return to WRC as long as it can improve its Road Safety record which is considered as one of the worst in the world.’’

The latest demands from FIA would suggest that Kenya will linger in the darkness for a longer period, if issues on road carnage are not

properly addressed by the arms of the government of Kenya in the nearest future.

Closed stages and better financial status were part of FIA’s previous demands before it pulled the plug on the status of the Safari Rally as a World Rally Championship contender.

According to David Njoroge of the AA of Kenya, Kenya lost nearly 3000 people last year through road accidents while another 1.5m suffered serious injuries. He cited Kenya as among those countries with the worst road safety records in the world.

On the Safari Rally, Todt said: “Running the event on the open roads is not good in the interest of safety.

However, FIA is working on a different format to address the picture of the WRC series. The old format has been there for the last 15 years.”

“Africa is a fantastic field to organise road racing. Cross Country events would be attractive and adventurous for both the teams and competitors. We are talking with promoters over the possibility of incorporating longer rallies.’’

On the state of the current WRC series, Todt acknowledged the need to bring more manufacturer teams on board in 2011. Citroen and Ford are the only outfits competing for Manufacturers Cup in 2010 series.

He said he has plans to visit both Germany and Japan soon in order to lure more teams to the WRC series.

On F1 races, Todt said South Africa is among several other countries which have the facilities to host grand prix races. He cited the Kyalami Race Track as one of the existing tracks that could be considered before 2015.

“Johannesburg has a good circuit and good planning and sound financial support. However, we have to look at it like any other new members, like we did with South Korea,’’ said Todt The Automobile Association of Kenya played host to the FIA Conference. It was represented by senior officials from AA who included James Mirugi and David Njoroge while former rally drivers Manoj Shah and Javaid Alam were also present as AA Council Members.

Kenya Motor Sports Federation was represented by its chairman, Jim H&H Kahumbura.

RBF SELLING RALLY RIDES ON EBAY Words: Staff Writer Fancy riding in one of the most iconic rally cars in the history of world rallying? Or how about being driven through the first ever World Rally Championship stage to run around the streets of the beautiful Cardiff Bay area by a triple British Rally Champion?

Your dreams can come true.

And, by fulfilling your own ambitions, you can make the dreams of others come true too, thanks to the Richard Burns Foundation.

During next month’s Wales Rally Great Britain, the Richard Burns Foundation will be auctioning rides in a selection of the rally cars which Richard drove on his way to becoming World Rally Champion. This opportunity comes as the sport remembers Richard five years on from his death from cancer.

You can bid for a seat alongside one of our guest drivers on Rally Great Britain by clicking on the following link: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AWESOME-RIDERICHARD-BURNS-SUBARU-IMPREZAWRC-/280583927557?pt=UK_Tickets_ Tickets_LE&hash=item41541af705#ht_5 00wt_1156 As the rest of the spectating world arrives in Cardiff Bay to watch the stage on Saturday (November 13) night, you should strap yourself in to become part of the show. Richard’s cars will be driven through the stage as a demonstration rather than a competitive run.

This is a once in a lifetime chance. Keep checking www. richardburnsfoundation.com for the news of when the next auction will begin. But go direct to eBay right now to bid for a seat alongside British rallying superstar Mark Higgins in the very last rally car Richard ever drove, the toweringly successful Peugeot 206 WRC. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. And, remember, in having the time of your life – you’re also helping extend the lives of those affected by brain cancer and other neurological disorders in the memory of England’s first and only World Rally Champion. H&H

News

FEATURES

Issue 157 • 04 - 10 Nov

Events

Markko Martin tested a Citroen C4 WRC in 2008: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0pE_xpAK_o

Mikko Hirvonen in a Ford Anglia rally car (VIDEO) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQaqCCGOF-E

RALLYFEST NW DRAWS THOUSANDS OF FANS Words: Staff Writer

BEVAN BERTHOLDT MOURNED Words: Staff Writer Picture: Motorpics The Absa Off Road Championship fraternity was plunged into mourning when Bevan Bertholdt was tragically killed in a helicopter accident in Rooiwal, north of Pretoria, on Tuesday afternoon.

Bertholdt (39) and flight instructor Boeta Austin were killed when the Robertson 22 helicopter crashed into a private yard. At the time of the accident Bertholdt was renewing his flying licence.

Bertholdt’s father Bodo has been a South African off road racing stalwart for 40 years and his sons, Bevan and Gary, followed in his footsteps. Bevan raced motorcycles from a young age and was notoriously wild and extremely fast.

Bevan quickly built a reputation for big crashes and a big heart. He finished in the top 10 of the Roof of Africa on a motorcycle before turning his attention to circuit racing where he became one of the “brat pack” competing in Class E in the Stannic Group N championship.

Bevan’s talent again came through and in 1995 he won the Rookie of the Year accolade as well as a trip to the famous Jim Russell School of Racing at Donington. The following year Bevan moved into Class B in the ex Duncan Vos works Nissan with backing from The Star newspaper.

It was only natural Bevan would end up in off road racing, and in 1998 he made his debut in a GRE singleseater built in America. He rebuilt the car and, in true Bevan style, the

wildest paint job imaginable was a true reflection of how he lived.

Bevan won his first national off road at Tarkastad in the Special Vehicle category in 1999, starting from the back of the grid, and in the following year again won from behind on the Sugarbelt 400. A lifelong dream came true in 2006 when Bevan was offered a drive with the factory Team Castrol Toyota team.

Bevan and Robin Houghton finished third in the championship and won the Ford Carnival City 400, the final event of the season. Midway through 2007 Bevan decided to retire from off road racing and turn his attention to flying helicopters.

The lure of off road racing was too much for Bevan and, after sporadic appearances in a Porter in 2009, he returned to the Absa Off Road Championship this year in the latest spec BAT with backing from lab88. Partnered by Danie Stassen on the Human Auto 400 the pair won the Donaldson Prologue, but were sidelined in the race with a gearbox malfunction.

“Bevan was unique and did things in his own special way,” said South African National Off Road Car Racing Association chairman Richard Schilling. “He was one of the fastest drivers around, and his enthusiasm for off road racing was infectious.

“Bevan was a nice guy, and a character in every sense of the word, and he is going to be sorely missed.

Our thoughts at this difficult time are with Bevan’s wife and son, and with Bodo, Gary and the rest of the Bertholdt family.”

Bevan is survived by his wife Linda and son Tyron. H&H

This past weekend, Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st October, Conwy County welcomed approximately 14,000 people and 24 rally cars at Wales Rally GB’s two-day Rallyfest North Wales event. Rally fans, families and those new to the sport enjoyed a display of modern and historic rally cars on Saturday and a high-octane live action display on Sunday, including an appearance by Britain’s top rally driver Matthew Wilson.

Support for the all-new Wales Rally GB taster event was overwhelming, Andrew Coe, chief executive of Wales Rally GB, comments: “Rallyfest North Wales has been amazing, not only because of the fantastic support we got from spectators but everyone involved in putting together the event.

From the North Wales Car Club and the marshals who kindly volunteered their time, through to the drivers who put on spectacular demonstrations – ranging from Formula 1000 rally cars through to RX150 rallycross buggies and the latest WRC spec cars. This support emphasises just how much passion there is for rallying in North Wales and I’m thrilled we were given the opportunity by Conwy County Borough Council to stage this event. It’s a great build up to Wales Rally GB in just over a week’s time.”

Cllr Graham Rees, Conwy Council cabinet member said, “We were delighted to welcome Wales Rally GB to Conwy, and the event was everything we hoped it would be. People came from across the UK to enjoy the excitement and action of the cars and drivers. We received overwhelmingly supportive feedback from people that genuinely had a fabulous time and I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend.”

To keep up to date with news and information about Wales Rally GB, visit www.walesrallygb.com or follow Wales Rally GB on Twitter at www.

H&H twitter.com/walesrallygb

Events

Interviews Exclusive columnists In-depth articles

FOUR WINNERS FROM CARRICK ON SUIR CELEBRATE Words: Staff Writer Over the Halloween weekend, Carrick on Suir Motor Club wrote a new page in their 52-year history by hosting the inaugural running of the Halloween Historic Stages Rally. The event got under way on Saturday evening with a ceremonial start, held on the main street in Carrick, in front of a very enthusiastic crowd, and the event then moved indoors to the Carraig Hotel where the “Question and Answers Rally Forum” kicked off at 9pm.

The rally itself started under wet conditions on Sunday morning, and the unique event threw up four individual winners as the crews returned to the finish ramp on Sunday evening.

Post Historic class winners were Frank Cunningham and Des Sherlock driving a Ford Escort MkI. In the Classic category, Kenny McKinstry and Robert Nolan took top honors with a flawless drive in the ex-Ari Vatanen Ford Escort RS 1800 owned by Tom Geraghty. In the Modified section, local crew of Paul Mulcahy and Karl Baumann came away with victory in their newlybuilt Toyota Starlet and along the way thrilled the crowds that lined the stages.

Most important of all in the Historic class Ray Cunningham and Ross Forde sprayed the champagne, Cunningham the current Historic Champion giving a flawless exhibition of driving over the wet stages in Clonea, Mahon Bridge and Rathgormack area, to take a start-tofinish win in the Historic section.

The motorsport weekend got underway with the parade of all the competing cars up the main street on Saturday evening and the ceremonial start culminated in front of the Carraig Hotel where a ramp was erected for television interviews and the usual array of photographs. Top motorsport journalist Martin Walsh was on hand to interview the crews and get their opinions on the stages and hopes for the weekend.

Following the ceremonial start the entertainment moved to the main function room of the Carraig Hotel where the Rally Forum kicked off at 9pm under the stewardship of noted motorsport historian Graham Robson and RTE’s John Kenny. Guests on the forum included 2010 Historic Champion Ray Cummingham, rally legends Russell

Brookes, Jimmy McRae and Kenny McKinstry, Ford of Europe’s head of Motorsport Gerard Quinn, co-driver Sean Mullally and from the Carrick Motor Club James Coleman, being the event main sponsor and also the chairman of the sports Rallies Committee in Ireland.

Over the course of ninety minutes a crowd of about two hundred strong rally fans were brought on a voyage from the 1960s and 1970s through the golden age of rallying in the 1980s and up to the current high tech cars in Ireland and on the world stage we see today. The young, and should I say not-so-young, were treated to stories from their heroes as Russell Brookes and Jimmy McRae recalled great battles during their days in their Opel Manta, great fights with other competitors, including Tipperary’s own Frank Meagher, Bertie Fisher and Dubliner Austin MacHale.

Ray Cunningham the current Historic Champion gave his view on Historic rallying and why he decided to enter the category and his hopes for a Historic Championship being set up in Ireland.

Macroom’s Gerard Quinn, who holds the position of Director of Motorsport of Ford in Europe, was on hand to give an in-depth insight to the running of the BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team and the WRC. The rally action got under way on Sunday morning with SS1 at Clonea and the drama quickly started to unfold; Jimmy McRae was the first casualty when the engine expired in his ex-Robert Droogmans Ford Escort MkII on SS2.

Jimmy was philosophical about his early exit when he returned to service and stated: “This is not my first time to have a mechanical problem early in a rally. I can remember traveling to New Zealand and going out on the first stage; it’s all a part of rallying”.

It was also hard look for Jimmy’s navigator Mickey Joe Morrissey, who had been looking forward to the occasion for a long tim. Mickey Joe took it in his stride, but underlined how great it felt to get through that initial test in Clonea.

Heavy rain had started to fall during Saturday night and continued during Sunday morning’s first loop of stages and over the rest of the eightstage event; caution was the order of the day. Ray Cunningham in the Galway Mini Centre Mini Cooper S took control

on the first loop in the historic section and even had time to try a new Dunlop tyre on the second run over the stages.

In the Classic category, Kenny McKinstry had three minutes to spare over Donnie Keating with Russell Brookes coming in at third at the end of the day’s competition. The Modified section was the most competitive, where Dungarvan crew of Paul Mulcahy and Karl Baumann set the pace as they were pushed early on in the rally by Viv Hamill until his exit on SS4 when he went off in his Escort.

In the closing stages of the day’s action, there was a fight for second place as Trevor Culbert overhauled Sam Smyth to take second place overall on the finish ramp, but the winners on the day were Paul and Karl in their newlyH&H built orange Toyota Starlet.

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION Historics 01) R. Cunningham/R. Forde Morris Mini Cooper S - 01:18:54.9 02) S. Anderson/B. Collins Ford Anglia - 01:35:12.8 Post Historics 01) F. Cunningham/D. Sherlock Ford Escort - 01:18:52.1 02) J. Hackett/M. Hackett Austin Mini - 01:21:26.5 03) W. Jones/R. Evans Porsche 911 - 01:23:21.4 Classics 01) K. McKinstry/R. Nolan Ford Escort - 01:15:27.7 02) D. Keating/N. Condon Ford Escort - 01:18:57.6 03) R. Brookes/S. Mullally Talbot Sunbeam - 01:22:54.3 Modified Classics 01) P. Mulcahy/K. Baumann Toyota Starlet - 01:12:40.7 02) T. Culbert/M. Costello Ford Escort - 01:13:22.2 03) S. Smyth/A. Smyth Ford Escort - 01:13:40.0

News

Features

EVENTS

Issue 157 • 04 - 10 Nov

Thrilling action from the IRC Rally of Scotland: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt2I2bnx8Uk

Colin McRae in Rothman’s Porsche 911: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuAMc0kRjl0

ROSSETTI CLAIMS ERC TITLE IN STYLE IN SWITZERLAND Words: Staff Writer Pictures: IRC Media Luca Rossetti won the 51st edition of the Rallye International du Valais this past weekend in Martigny, Switzerland, after tackling 18 special stages over three days of intense competition.

Together with his co-driver Matteo Chiarcossi, the Italian led the rally from the very beginning at the wheel of his Abarth Grande Punto S2000. With this victory he also claimed the 2010 FIA European Rally Championship title, which was his after the end of the second day thanks to the bonus points allocated to the best performers of each leg.

“This has been a beautiful and extremely difficult event,” said Rossetti. “The conditions here are very special and we need to be 100 percent concentrated at all time. The race is made quite complicated by the always changing rthyme and grip. This rally offers a highly competitive route and the quality of its organisation is of a really high level.

“For me, the title of European Champion represents a lot. It’s an international achievement and I’m particularly satisfied because I didn’t participate in all the rounds this year.

The media coverage is important and I’m quite proud to add this crown to my list of achievements.”

Co-driver to Rossetti, Matteo Chiarcossi, has also been very keen on the organisation of the Rallye International du Valais and underlined the numerous difficulties of the route that is always challenging and interesting.

Nobody could prevent Rossetti’s

supremacy: the runner-up, Florian Gonon, finished over 01min 30sec adrift.

This weekend’s best-placed Swiss driver, Gonon, got the best from his Subaru Impreza STI, and therefore his second place can almost be considered as a victory. “To be honest, I’m quite pleased to be second to such a good driver as Rossetti. I quickly understood that I couldn’t catch him without taking big risks. Therefore, I’m fully satisfied with this result.”

Third at over 05min from the winner was Belgian ace Thierry Neuville (Citroën DS3) who took advantage of the retirement of Pole Michal Solowow (Ford Fiesta S2000), who suffered from mechanical trouble in SS14, and of the bad luck of Grégoire Hotz (Peugeot 207 S2000), who was delayed by two punctures on the second day, to complete the podium.

The up-and-coming Belgian declared after the finish: “I can be quite satisfied with this result, because with a two-wheel drive it was impossible to fight with the other two in such a difficult rally. We have demonstrated the potential of the DS3 and I’m grateful to Citroën who have allowed us to be at the top of the race. I hope that a lot of drivers are going to buy this car in the near future.”

The talented Italian Andrea Crugnola (Renault Clio R3) has also realised a top result, even though he was deprived from fourth by Hotz in the very last special stage where he suffered a puncture.

“In the previous round of the European Championship I only drove three stages, which served for the selection in the Pirelli Star Driver. Here, I learnt a lot because the conditions were particularly tough. I’m really pleased to

have had the opportunity to enter this rally since the experience accumulated this weekend is going to be of a great help in other rallies, for example the Rallye MonteCarlo.”

In a noteworthy seventh place is Italian Matteo Gamba (Renault Clio R3) who completes the impressive results claimed by the Italian drivers.

Czech Antonin Tlusťák (Skoda Fabia S2000) had to be content with ninth place overall, which was not enough to allow him to fight for the European Rally Championship title.

This last round of both the Swiss and the FIA European Rally Championships, the 2010 edition of the Rallye International du Valais was been faithful to its tradition. A number of retirements (almost 50 percent of the 117 participants) were claimed by the tough and challenging speed tests in the adverse weather conditons.

The organiser, Christian Dubuis, underlined the “fantastic popularity of the rally, year after year”. He added that the event will be again included in the FIA European Championship in 2011. H&H OVERALL CLASSIFICATION 01) L. Rossetti/M. Chiarcossi Fiat Grande Punto S2000 - 03:07:02.0 02) F. Gonon/S. Arlettaz Subaru Impreza STI - 03:08:38.3 03) T. Neuville/N. Klinger Citroën DS3 R3T - 03:12:17.0 04) G. Hotz/P. Ravasi Peugeot 207 S2000 - 03:13:07.1 05) A. Crugnola/R. Pollet Renault Clio R3 - 03:14:24.2 06) O. Gillet/L. Santonocito Renault Clio S1600 - 03:14:25.3 07) M. Gamba/E. Inglesi Renault Clio R3 - 03:15:24.2 08) J. Radoux/J. Gregoire Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX - 03:16:52.1 09) A. Tlusťák/J. Škaloud Škoda Fabia S2000 - 03:17:28.9 10) P. Campana/S. De Castelli Renault Clio R3 - 03:17:40.5

Issue 157 • 04 - 10 Nov

News

Footage of the IRC Rally of Scotland 2010: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUtv7mPz27M

Features

EVENTS

More thrilling action from the IRC Rally of Scotland 2010: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt2I2bnx8Uk

IRC FINALE SET FOR CHALLENGING CYPRUS Words: Staff Writer Picture: IRC Media After 11 months of gruelling competition over several thousand kilometres of competitive stages, the curtain comes down on another enthralling Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC)season in Cyprus this weekend (04 - 06 November).

The FxPro Cyprus Rally, the 12th and final event of the year, might be new to the IRC schedule for 2010 but it has become one of the most demanding events on the international rallying calendar since it first took place in 1970.

Featuring mixed-surface stages, the country’s narrow and undulating roads and passes will test driver and car to the limit. And Eurosport, Europe’s largest television sports channel and the IRC’s international media partner, will be showing four stages of the event live.

As well as counting for IRC points, the event forms the penultimate round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship and several competitors from the regional series, including multiple champion Nasser Al-Attiyah, will be in action and will doubtless pose a threat to the IRC regulars.

Forty-two competitors will tackle the rally and the majority will remain on the island for the inaugural Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally, which takes place on Sunday 07 November.

The event, a joint initiative between the Cyprus Automobile Association and the IRC’s promoter, Eurosport Events, will be contested over a single 25-kilometre mixed-surface stage run twice. The action will be televised live on Eurosport and Cypriot channel Lumiere TV and a combined prize fund of 150,000 Euros has been pledged by the organisers.

The Cyprus Rally is characterised by its breathtaking and dramatic scenery. The move to a mixed-

surface format in 2009 has resulted in the inclusion of some faster and flowing roads as opposed to the low-speed tracks that were synonymous with the event in the past. However, it is still widely known for providing a stern test for competitors and their cars.

Despite the rally’s early November date, ambient temperatures are set to peak at 27 degrees centigrade and won’t dip any lower than 20 degrees centigrade. This will put the onus on driver fitness and increase the strain on the cars as they pass over the rockstrewn roads.

Action gets underway with an all-asphalt superspecial stage in the Limassol’s port, the island’s largest, on the night of Thursday 4 November. The Lemesos Super Special Stage covers a total distance of 2.45 kilometres and drivers will compete against each other in pairs.

Friday is made up of three mixed-surface stages based to the east of Limassol, plus a return to the Lemesos Super Special Stage that evening. Saturday’s action takes place over six stages with the first car due to reach the finish close to the event’s permanent service park in Limassol in the south of the island at 18:03hrs local time.

The Cyprus Rally marks the finale of the IRC 2WD Cup for crews in two-wheel drive machinery. Both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles will be decided in Cyprus.

Another significant accolade up for grabs in Cyprus is the Colin McRae IRC Flat Out Trophy. The award is handed to the most spectacular driver who best embodies the spirit of the Scottish hero and rallying legend on rounds of the IRC. Its recipient is chosen by a panel consisting of IRC’s Motorsport Development Manager JeanPierre Nicolas, Gilbert Roy, the Director of Editorial and Programme Development

at Eurosport Events, and Jim McRae, Colin’s father. A special award will also be given to the most spectacular driver of the year.

Cyprus is the final event of the 2010 IRC season and will determine third place in the overall IRC manufacturers’ ranking. The manufacturers’ title in the IRC 2WD Cup is also still up for grabs and the outcome will be determined in Cyprus.

All IRC awards will be presented at the end-of-season ceremony in Limassol on the evening of Sunday 7 November. The event is being jointly organised by Eurosport Events and the Cyprus Automobile Association. IRC champions Juho Hanninen and Mikko Markkula, runners-up Jan Kopecky and Petr Stary, and third-placed crew Kris Meeke and Paul Nagle are among those H&H set to attend.

News

Features

EVENTS

Issue 157 • 04 - 10 Nov

WATCH: WRC history from 1950s to 1980s: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fxmUk7lRMc

Watch highlights from the WRC Rally Sweden 2010: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VCW0UW_07Q

CREWS TO CHASE GOLDEN STAGE RALLY PRIZE Words: Staff Writer More than 40 drivers from Europe and around the world will do battle over a prize fund of 150,000 Euros when they contest the inaugural Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally, which takes place on the Mediterranean island on Sunday 7 November.

A joint initiative between Eurosport Events, the promoter of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, and the Cyprus Automobile Association, the innovative event will be contested over one 25-kilometre mixed-surface stage, the Golden Stage, run twice.

Televised live on Eurosport and Cypriot channel LumiereTV, the Golden Stage Rally promises to be a spectacular all-action affair with drivers pushing to the maximum over the largely downhill stage, which features asphalt and gravel sections.

Unlike conventional rallies where drivers have to consider preserving their cars over a longer distance, the Golden Stage Rally will effectively become a highly-charged sprint for glory with crews set to throw caution to the wind in their pursuit of the 30,000 Euros prize handed to the winner.

The format will not only appeal to drivers and co-drivers but to the many thousands of fans lining the route and watching at home live on television, some of whom may have never watched a rally before. While some rallies are known for their test of endurance, the Golden Stage Rally will be more akin to a Formula One qualifying session with every second counting.

The route for the Golden Stage Rally has been carefully selected by a team of rally experts, including JeanPierre Nicolas, the winner of the 1978 Rallye Monte-Carlo. The course starts near the village of Kellaki in the hills above the port town of Limassol in the south of Cyprus and works its way down to the finish near the village of Armenochori close to a spectacular dam.

Part of the stage runs adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea. Drivers will run in reverse order based on their allocated numbers and 10 priority drivers, including two from Cyprus, will be selected by the event organisers to run last and ensure the result of the inaugural Golden Stage Rally is not known until the last car completes the final 25-kilometre run.

The event is open to drivers

competing with Super 2000, Group N and Group A (up to A7) cars, in both the two-wheel and four-wheel drive categories.

Bryan Bouffier, a multiple championship-winning driver from France, will compete in a Peugeot 207 Super 2000 and is one of the favourites for victory. He said: “On most rallies you have to manage your car over 250 kilometres. On the Golden Stage Rally you just have to push. The strategy will be to push hard on the first run and then push even harder on the second.”

Nasser Al-Attiyah, the reigning Middle East rally champion, will drive an M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000. The Qatari has extensive experience of competing in Cyprus and is relishing the prospect of entering the Golden Stage Rally. “It’s going to be something special,” said AlAttiyah. “It won’t be easy because there is pressure and a lot of risk as you will be on maximum attack but I am very excited by this rally and so should the fans be watching by the stage and on Eurosport.”

The Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally gets underway with the first of two runs at 11:03hrs local time. The second run is scheduled to start at 14:03hrs local time. Stage times will be combined to determine the overall results.

Here are some of the competitors: Nasser Al-Attiyah (Qatar, M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000): Multiple Middle East rally champion has represented his country in the Men’s Skeet shooting in the Olympic Games on four occasions.

Misfer Almari (Qatar, Subaru Impreza N16): The current leader of the Middle East Rally Championship, Almari is part of Qatar’s young driver development programme.

Andreas Mikkelsen (Norway, M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000): Mikkelsen, a former downhill skier, learned to drive rally cars on a frozen lake before he was old enough to drive on the road.

Daniel Oliveira (Brazil, Peugeot 207 S2000): Novice Oliveira is being mentored by former WRC podium finisher Manfred Stohl, who was second in Cyprus in 2006.

Martin Prokop (Czech Republic, M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000): Extensive experience in world championship rallies.

Won the Junior section of the mixedsurface Cyprus Rally in 2009.

Nicos Thomas (Cyprus, Peugeot 207 S2000): The youngest winner of the Cyprus Rally, a feat he achieved aged 20 in 2008, Thomas is making the transition to Super 2000 technology.

Franz Wittmann (Austria, Peugeot 207 S2000): Following in the footsteps of his father Franz Wittmann Sr, Wittmann Jr has been a regular in the IRC since 2009.

Event: Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally Starts/finishes: Sunday 7 November Entries received: 41 Surface: Gravel and asphalt Number of stages: 2 Special stage distance: 50.00 kilometres Liaison distance: 90.52km Total distance: 140.52km Itinerary (all times shown are local): Sunday 7 November: Start: Lemesos Service Park, 10:25hrs; SS1: Love Cyprus Golden Stage Run 1 (25.00kms), 11:03hrs; Service A: Lemesos, 11:53hrs; SS2: Love Cyprus Golden Stage Run 2 (25.00kms), 14:03hrs; Finish: Lemesos Service Park, 14:53hrs.

H&H

Bryan Bouffier (France, Peugeot 207 S2000): Factory Peugeot Sport driver who has enjoyed success in his homeland and in Poland, where he is a double title-winner.

Burcu Cetinkaya (Turkey, Peugeot 207 S2000): Became the first female to score IRC points on Rally of Scotland last month. When she’s not driving Cetinkaya works as a TV presenter.

Roman Kresta (Czech Republic, Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX): Kresta, an ex-works Ford WRC driver, finished sixth on the Cyprus Rally in 2005, his last visit to the island.

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