H&H-200

Contents Issue 200 • 12 September 2011 04 START RAMP 04 Start Ramp - News Shorts

08 SERVICE PARK 08 10 11 12

Work in Progress: M-Sport Poland Rautenbach still on top in ARC Taylor wows in Australia A day in the life of Team Total

14 PARC FERME 14 16 18 20

WRC Rally Australia review SAORRC 4x4 Mega World 400 Race review CRC Rally Defi review IRC Canon Mecsek Rally review

EDITORIAL INFORMATION Editor Evan Rothman

Photojournalist Eva Kovkova

Contributors Liga Stirna, Patrick Vermaak, RallyBuzz, Motorpics, Newspress.

All content copyrighted property of HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS, 2007-11. 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.

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Start Ramp Kiwi Paddon wins PWRC title Words: Staff Writer New Zealand’s top rally driver, Hayden Paddon, has created motorsport history.

The 24-year-old is, provisionally, the 2011 FIA Production World Rally Champion after winning the production category at WRC Rally Australia.

Paddon becomes the first person in the Southern Hemisphere to ever win a World Rally Championship, taking the 2011 PWRC title with four consecutive category wins – another new record set by the talented Kiwi in his second PWRC season. He still has two PWRC events to contest this season but, with a perfect score of 100 points to his credit, the Subaru driver can’t be beaten.

“I can’t believe it, it’s incredible!” Paddon said at the prizegiving. “Rally Australia wasn’t an easy rally at all for us, but we made it. Twelve months ago I was back home in New Zealand with no money, no sponsors and we didn’t even think we would be able to do the PWRC. We found the sponsors, we found a car and a team and now we’re here after a stunning year. And for sure there’s still a lot to come. We’ll try as hard as we can to come back next year in something bigger and better.”

Paddon’s successful weekend in the forests and gravel roads around Coffs Harbour on the New South Wales coast was topped off by scooping eight WRC points for finishing sixth overall, a phenomenal feat in a Group N Production Car. Officials note that while Martin Semerad can still draw level with Paddon by winning the final two events of the season. However, the Czech would still lose the title on count-back, leaving Paddon the champion.

Paddon was also awarded the Abu Dhabi Spirit of the Rally for his record-breaking achievements.

When asked how hard was it for him, as a young Kiwi driver, to make his way into the World Rally Championship, Paddon replied: “It has definitely been hard. Possum Bourne was a rally legend in New Zealand for a long time and along with a lot of other people, I looked up to him and when he passed away rallying took a bit of a hit back home. There has never been a set pathway for Kiwi drivers to make their way to the WRC, so that has been the hardest thing. Also finding the budget has always been an issue; there are some big companies in New Zealand, but with the global crisis it is hard to find financial back-up. Having said that, the team at Subaru has been really supportive to us and they helped us to make the move from our long-time association with Mitsubishi to drive a Subaru this season. They make a big effort in the PWRC backing up teams

Team News Videos

and drivers. The Belgian team that is working with us – Symtech Racing – is very passionate and enthusiastic and they did a fantastic job this year, as has the loyal Kiwi crew who are here with me this weekend to run our New Zealand-owned CR Properties/ Placemakers Subaru.”

Plans for 2012 are still to be decided as Paddon and his New Zealand World Rally Team continue to seek commercial partners and the right deal to progress Paddon’s stellar career. H&H

Golden Stage Rally is go Words: www.wrc.com The ground-breaking Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally, which took place to great acclaim for the first time in 2010, will run again on Sunday 6 November, Eurosport Events and the Cyprus Automobile Association are delighted to confirm.

Rather than covering a multiple number of stages, the Golden Stage Rally is unique in that it features one single stage, the Golden Stage, run twice on a mixed surface route shown live on television around the world.

The quick-fire format will thrill fans as drivers battle against the clock for a share of the 150,000 Euros prize fund.

Promoted by Eurosport Events and organised by the CAA, the competition will take place the day after the 2011 Intercontinental Rally Challenge season concludes in Cyprus.

Francois Ribeiro, the Motorsport Business Director of Eurosport, said: “The inaugural Golden Stage Rally proved such a success that we can’t wait for it to run again this season. We are building on the event’s success with a new route that will come alive as drivers push to the limit in pursuit of the big prize live on television.”

Antonis Michaelides, President of the CAA, said: “Last year we broke new ground with the first ever Golden Stage Rally and created a whole new rallying experience that proved a major hit with drivers and fans alike. This year we’re set to recreate the excitement, delivering a thrill ride that will entertain motorsport fans across the world. I’m confident that the drivers will put on a terrific show once again as they ‘go for gold!’”

As in 2010, the Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally will benefit from an extensive live television production managed by Eurosport Events, which has successfully pioneered live coverage of several rounds of the IRC. Eurosport Events is responsible for the distribution of the worldwide media rights (including television rights).

The Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally will be broadcast in its entirety

Event News Breaking News

through Eurosport’s network, reaching more than 117 million homes across 59 countries and through Eurosport Asia-Pacific on Sunday 6 November as follows: 11:00hrs-12:00hrs: Golden Stage Run 1 14:00hrs-15:00hrs: Golden Stage Run 2

Live Eurosport (20kms) Live Eurosport (20kms)

This year’s Golden Stage Rally will use an all-new mixed-surface route based around the village of Polis, 40 kilometres from Pafos in the west of Cyprus with spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea. Leading international co-driver Denis Giraudet played a key role in designing the stage.

“The challenge was to improve the route used last year and this has been achieved with something that will be quite incredible,” said JeanPierre Nicolas, the IRC’s Motorsport Development Manager.

Regulations and entry forms will be published at the event’s official website, www.goldenstagerally.com, shortly where regular news updates will also be available. The event will be open to all teams and drivers competing with S2000 (Appendix J 2010), R2, R3 and R4 cars plus Group A cars up to 2000cc in both two-wheel and four-wheel drive configuration. H&H

Six events for 2012 BRC Words: Staff Writer The 2012 MSA British Rally Championship will feature six classic events in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland These will include a mix of one and two-day events on asphalt and on gravel.

Championship Manger Mark Taylor said: “We are keen for Rally Isle of Man to plug the gap in the summer calendar which left the championship feeling fractured this year. However, despite the event being currently unable to commit to its return in 2012, we have agreed with the organising committee to leave the summer date available for a potential return in 2013. Mindful of the ongoing economic situation, we believe that a six-round championship is a good short-term move. Along with the switch to two-wheel-drive, this will further help reduce costs towards participating in the 2012 British Rally Championship.” H&H 2012 MSA British Rally Championship Calendar (subject to MSA approval): • • • • • •

24/25 Feb - Rallye Sunseeker Int’l (gravel) 30/31 Mar - Bulldog Int’l Rally (gravel) 27/28 Apr - Pirelli Int’l Rally (gravel) 1/2 Jun - Jim Clark Int’l Rally (asphalt) 17/18 Aug - Int’l Rally NI (asphalt) 28/29 Sept - Int’l Rally Yorkshire (gravel)

click

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>> enjoy

your insight into the world of rallying http://handbrakeshairpins.wordpress.com

I always enjoy reading Handbrak es and Hairpins great mix of wo as it provides a rld and national motorsport new countries which s, from a range gives a real insigh of t into whats hap Personally, Evan has been a fantas pening globally. tic supporter of is very much app my career which reciated.

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AKES & HAIR BR ND HA 2000th issu a, ov - Eva Kovk

H&H – CONGRATULATIONS!!!! on your 200th editi the going on’s in the rally world on a weekly than an email. Thanks for all the great stori the great work.

- Melanie Bourn, Rally Marshal

Hey Evan, I am happy that be in yo ur 200 issue congrat ulations for your 200th Issu e. I am prou d.. Thank you so much ...

- Burcu Bu rkut Erenku Turkish Fema l, le Rally Drive r

milestone 0th publication g, the irpins on its 20 sport of rallyin the Handbrakes & Ha te an” mo ric Af pro uth udly So k forward ing editorials ation that I loo to salute the Pro visually stimulat icip ge and ant vile ed ly er pri ch a eag ear is h It ll-res international ral . It is wit e top quality, we bal environment on the local and achievement. Th rs in a truly glo at is happening nso wh of spo me and ms orm inf drivers, their tea y publication to & Hairpins weekl to Handbrakes out stories. tures and flatfront. ny more great pic k forward to ma loo I and rk ellent wo 000 keep up the exc Ford Fiesta S2 Well-done and , Team SASOL - Jon Williams

on the 200th issue of wishes to congratulate you a ATS Motorsport Supplies something that started as a remarkable milestone for ... pins Hair & es brak Hand passionate sideline. publication without any a specialist electronic Who would have thought that issues. Handbrakes & be around after some 200 l stil d woul art terp ent of online news as a printed coun lopm deve the in role n a leading Hairpins has certainly take with the next 200 issues. well you wish we and ca Afri viable media in Southern Best wishes, Supplies Director - ATS Motorsport Robin Houghton, Managing

200: Tributes from readers

hing si the publis Hi Evan, involved in getting an Having been goes into rk wo d an back at i much effort first, way ep u e I saw my llying. Ke Ra issue sinc is at atu th all th time we fe st updated wi la e th proud really felt your 200t lestone of on your mi eat read, gr a ys Well done wa Al 0 issues. another 20 am Teletu mind.

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Hi Evan, I have duri ng the last great rall year follow y rerports ed H&H and , thanks! it’s always - Patrik Sa ndell, Red Bull Skoda Rallye Team

Handbrakes and Hairpins has been my favourite racing read since its first edition. It has brilliant articles that you don’t read everywhere and Eva’s pictures are awesome. Please keep up the hard work!

- Lola Verlaque, South Africa’s fastest female rally driver

Congratulations, Handbrakes & Hairpins upon your 200th edition! The worldwide rally coverage is top notch and Rally America looks forward to reading each issue well into the future.

- Ananda Siverts, RallyAmerica and RallyCar Managing Director

Congratulations to Handbrakes & Hairpins on your 200th issue! It’s a great magazine that I go to to stay informed of what’s going on in rallying around the world. Keep up the good work!

-Antoine L’Estage, multiple champion: Canadian, rallyAmerica and North American Rally Champion

Dear Evan, Many congratulations on this milestone issue of H&H. In a comparatively short space of time, the magazine has already become an established landmark on the international rallying scene, thanks to its comprehensive series of well-written news and reports, as well as its insightful features, covering championships all over the world.

For a number of years rallying has been lacking a commodity such as this one: just like the sport itself, I’m sure that H&H is only going to go from strength to strength in the future. A fantastic job from everyone; well done!

- Anthony Peacock, Mediatica and Maxrally

t y level, go d, at ever ing he world llowi er th started fo lly all ov I ra e ed nc of ud si cl ge Covera to be in few years am pleased on H&H. A eting and me hooked mp co n H! ga H& I be 200, the sport, ge. Happy zine covera in the maga urce of azing reso am for the t and st wishes Be your suppor ! r ve fo lo u yo ort we Thank sp e th t n abou y informatio female rall s fastest next 200. tota, USA’ De a ik Er 2011 driver in Hi Evan, Congratulations on your successful emagazine, it is a great achievement!

Thank you for the updated rally news - keeping us in touch and contributing to the motorsport industry. I wish you many more successful magazine issues and spectacular pictures!

ion. It’s great to be able to read all y basis without having to look futher ies and info over the months. Keep up

Your friend in motorsport.

Elvéne Coetzee, Team Castrol Toyota Auris S2000

Congratulations to Evan and Handbrakes & Hairpins on reaching their 200th issue. It’s fantastic to see the success of such a great online rallying magazine, and I’d like to thank Evan for his continued support of M-Sport and our teams over the years. I think I speak on behalf of everyone involved in rallying that it’s a welcome addition to our inbox each week and long may H&H continue!

All the best, Rachel Cavers, M-Sport Press Officer

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H&H is a comprehensive and easy to read source of all the important national and international rally news every week and Evan’s enthusiasm and love for the sport is a great asset to all involved in Rallying. Happy 200th issue from all the Green Fuel team in back in Zimbabwe!

- Conrad Rautenbach. Team Greenfuel Ford Fiesta S2000

know how ars ago, I os many ye yed every lying phot I have enjo me . nd ou de by supp gr e to keep the su f is of H xt H& ne the e n issue of forward to exposure (w ok me lo so d an us issue 6, op, give s in the lo us regional . d) re with be rewarded hard work ggles the d may your fo just bo in at th th issue an l you get al and where

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As somebody who has Rally interests both in South Africa and around the world this is a much appreciated and respected service.

- Paul Turner, International Rally Investor and Management

Congrats on your 200th magazine! I Didn’t know you had made that many! Wow...! I must say i’m impressed by your work, and to be able to make your readers enjoy 200 magazines is not easy, but you have done it in style! i Hope to congratulate you many more times in the future, and I always look forward to receive a fresh set of handbrakes and hairpins! am - Mads Ostberg, M-Sport Stobart Ford World Rally Team

ve issue. I ha ur 200th stone of yo so issues ile or m y nt et ca nin gnifi ns, ns rst s & Hairpi hing the si sed the fi s & Hairpi Handbrake Handbrake ns on reac obably mis the ngratulatio arter and pr issing. From then on believer in rm m A hearty co at I was a slow st fi a as w e what I s th , will lik ading. I am to confes discovered red issues orsport re oke up and e next hund weekly mot before I w ubt that th l over the world. part of my do ial nt no se ve es d ha lly fans al has been an electronic media an ading for ra the essential re power of represent it, re fo be those re, r the futu uth Afrca wishes fo Steward, So s and best lly rd ga Ra l re na d Kin Natio ief Ch g, Steve Hardin

Dear Evan, It is a grea t pleasure to congratulate the mileston you on achiev e of 200 issu ing es. Your dedi in rallying cation and in is appreciate terest d by the whol of which I am e rally comm one proud me unity, mber.

Thank you fo r what you do for Motorspo rallying. Ma rt and specif y there be th ically ousands more issues!

Regards, FRANCOIS PRET ORIUS CEO of Motors port South Af rica

Service Park

Interviews Features

Profiles Technical

Work in progress: M-Sport Poland Words: Rachel Cavers/The Inside Line Pictures: M-Sport M-Sport Poland, based in the city of Krakow, is the technical headquarters of the new six-round feeder series to the WRC – the FIA WRC Academy – and was opened at the start of 2011 to help service growing demand for the UK-based company’s products within Europe.

As the WRC Academy passed the halfway point, M-Sport project co-ordinator Maciej Woda took time out of his busy schedule to outline how the development of M-Sport Poland is progressing after six months in operation.

“Considering the short amount of time between the decision to open the Polish centre in November and having it fully functioning in February the staff here have done a tremendous job of proving what they are capable of - it has all run very smoothly,” said Woda.

M-Sport Poland is home to a highly motivated workforce and houses all the facilities required for looking after the Ford Fiesta R2 rally cars competing in this year’s WRC Academy, and includes a 500 square metre workshop and approximately 100 square metres of storage

facilities.

“After each rally the Ford Fiesta R2s return to M-Sport Poland where the cars are thoroughly inspected. The gearboxes and dampers are fully rebuilt and the team cracktest all major suspension components to ensure maximum reliability. The graphics on the cars are also refreshed between each rally to ensure the very highest levels of presentation for both the WRC Academy and individual sponsors is provided,” explained Woda.

“Rally Italia Sardegna was particularly rough on the cars and the team worked exceptionally hard on repairing some of the engines before Finland. I was pleased to see that each of these engines performed well whilst over there. I was also delighted to see 14 out of the 15 Ford Fiesta R2s finish the last WRC Academy round in Germany,” said Woda.

Polish-born Woda started working for M-Sport in September 2004. After progressing through the ranks as an engineer in the WRC team, Woda was a natural choice to run the programme when it M-Sport decided it would open up a new operational hub on the continent.

After a rigorous search process a suitable site for M-Sport’s Poland branch was

Issue 200 • 12 September 2011 • Page 09

found towards the end of 2010 in Poland’s second-largest city – Krakow.

“As well as being one of the biggest countries in Europe Poland is also one of the fastest growing economies. In addition to being responsible for the preparation and servicing of the WRC Academy, the Polish division of M-Sport helps to form part of a longer-term investment to grow capacity for the Cumbria-based company,” explained Woda.

“As Krakow is centrally located within Europe and has a dynamically growing transport infrastructure, the new base helps allow M-Sport to communicate more easily with our partners in Europe,” he continued.

Woda also pointed out that M-Sport Poland has other key logistical benefits: “The new base ensures that less time is spent transporting the Ford Fiesta R2 rally cars back from events, allowing more time for the team to work on the cars back at base.”

“The new workshop is better located for WRC Academy rounds where there is a tight turnaround, such as Finland and Germany, as it ensures the

cars have plenty of time to be rebuilt as necessary,” Woda continued.

The event team of 52 people employed to work from Poland are supplemented by students from Myerscough College in north-west England during events which seems appropriate for a series which promotes and develops talented young people who are determined to make their career in the WRC. Over sixty students were assessed and ten were selected at the start of the year to help assist M-Sport’s technical and service teams on WRC Academy rounds. The project sees the students demonstrate the skills they have been learning on their course in a practical and hands-on environment.

“Much like our team in Poland, the students we have working on event are very hard-working. We have a group of fantastic, dedicated and highly motivated people and we give them the chance to gain an insight into the reality of working in motorsport,” explained Woda.

M-Sport has recently supplied the college with the kit needed for students to build a Ford Fiesta R2 as part

of their course. Past students at the college have found their niche in M-Sport and have become part of the business, while others have blazed their own trail in the world of motorsport.

As a result of the initial success of M-Sport’s Polish base, it is expected that the investment in Eastern Europe will see the branch grow over the following years.

“With M-Sport offering a full range of rally cars, starting from the Ford Fiesta MS1 through to the R2, S2000, RRC and the top WRC machine, I strongly believe we will be able to expand our markets even further. I firmly believe that the experience we are gaining will allow us to accurately tailor our future facilities and grow M-Sport Poland into a strong customer support base,” concluded Woda.

M-Sport’s roll-out of its site in Poland is one part of a structured, longterm plan to add to the company’s range of capabilities and allow it to continue to expand its presence in the motorsport sector and automotive industry in the coming years. H&H

Issue 200 • 12 September 2011 • Page 10

Rautenbach still on top in ARC Words: Staff Writer Picture: Motorpics Zimbabwe’s speed merchant Conrad Rautenbach has maintained the lead of the overall standings of the 2011 African Rally Championship series despite finishing fourth in the Kobil Rally of Tanzania last weekend.

Pre-race favourite Rautenbach (26) finished fourth in the tough three-day Tanzanian event, coming home behind Madagascar’s JeanYves Ranarivelo, Jamie Whyte of Zimbabwe and Zambia’s Mohammed Essa.

Reports from Tanzania had earlier indicated that Rautenbach had surrendered his lead in the continental championship race to fellow Zimbabwean Whyte after this event.

But, Rautenbach still maintains the lead of the overall standings of the 2011 FIA ARC series with Rwanda and Madagascar yet to host their events. Whyte’s second overall place has helped him to climb 11 points off Rautenbach’s tally.

This was clarified this week by Temba Mazvimbakupa of the Zimbabwe Motorsport Federation.

“The winner of each ARC series round gets 25 points while the second-placed driver gets 18 points, the third-placed 15 and the fourth-placed 12. So, by coming fourth in the Kobil Rally of Tanzania at the weekend, Conrad Rautenbach earned 12 points and this should take his tally in the ARC standings to 105 points. And by coming second in Tanzania at the weekend, Jamie Whyte got 18 points. He is still sitting in second place with 94 points, but is now trailing Rautenbach by 11 points at the top of the ARC Drivers’ Standings.”

But Whyte is still on course to win the third African title in a row and his co-driver Phil Archenoul was pleased with their overall performance during the weekend’s Kobil Rally of Tanzania.

“Being the first car on the road did not

help us on the second day. It was just crazy and at times extremely dangerous to find big trucks on either sides of the road at high speeds.

“Amazingly we were still able to set superior stage times to finish second overall,’’ said Archenoul told reporters at the end of the Kobil Rally of Tanzania on Sunday. Madagascar’s Ranarivelo shrugged off stiff opposition from Whyte to win the Kobil Rally title in a dramatic finish. Navigated by Ranaivamampianini in a Subaru Impreza, Ranarivelo becomes the sixth foreign driver to win the Tanzanian round of the ARC series after Uganda’s Riyaz Kurji, Belgian Patrick Emontspool, Zambian Muna Singh, Japanese Hideaki Miyoshi and Zimbabwean Whyte.

They are also the first-ever set of competitors from Madagascar to win a round of FIA-sanctioned series since making their debut in the competition early last season.

“I am very excited and very happy to win my first-ever ARC race.,” said Ranarivelo.

“The event was good and our car was also good despite minor mechanical problems.”

His victory in one of the most famous rounds of the ARC series overshadowed the anticipated battle between Whyte and his compatriot Rautenbach, whose interest in the chase for the ARC title was the focal point of the competition.

The 2011 ARC series now heads to Rwanda for its penultimate round - the KCB Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally - which is scheduled to run from 30 September to 2 October. H&H ARC Drivers’ Standings: 01) Conrad Rautenbach (Zimbabwe) - 105pts 02) Jamie Whyte (Zimbabwe) - 94pts 03) Jean-Yves Ranarivelo (Madagascar) - 40pts 04) Alan Dethise (Madagascar) - 37pts 05) Mohammed Essa (Zambia) - 30pts 06) Fredrick Ratokomanga (Madagascar) - 28pts 07) Muna Singh (Zambia) - 24pts 08) Schalk Burger (South Africa) - 18pts

Issue 200 • 12 September 2011 • Page 11

Taylor wows in Australia Words: Staff Writer Picture: Molly Taylor Motorsport In a classic case of keeping it in the family, young Australian rally star Molly Taylor was in action doing demonstration laps at the WRC Rally Australia this weekend – in the classic Aussie muscle car her father used to rally.

Taylor – who is contesting the World Rally Championship Academy development series in Europe – starred on the super special stage of the WRC event in Coffs Harbour in a 1970 XY GT Falcon.

The Rally car is a big black BP Corse Plus Ford spitting stones, full lock and full noise, barely audible over the screams and shouts of delighted spectators. Orginally at the wheel in its prime competition days was Mark Taylor, a driver having as much fun as the people watching.

Having tested the Falcon last week, Molly understood why the car in which her father took equal first in the Aussie Car Class of the 1993 Australian Rally Championship holds such a special place in his heart.

“It’s the first time I have driven a six-litre, V8 rear-wheel drive car. It’s the polar opposite to what I usually drive – they’re both Fords, but mine is a front-wheel-drive, 1.6-litre Fiesta R2, so a totally different experience. And I love it!”

Mark Taylor bought the car in 1990, just after it won the South Australian Rally Championship. He kept the full-spec 351 Cleveland GT engine, but swapped drum brakes for four-wheel discs and added Proflex suspension, a Phase Three GTHO close-ratio gearbox and power steering – which made it much easier to drive than the Bathurst monsters it was based on.

After many years of fun, her father sold the car to help Molly achieve her rallying dreams, but it hasn’t gone far from the family – it’s now owned by one of Molly’s long-time supporters, Dave Thompson of Trenching Systems Australia.

“Dave has always said it’s mine to drive if I want to, so when the opportunity arose to do some demonstration laps at my ‘home’ WRC event, I jumped at it.

“I flew into Sydney from England on last week Saturday morning, turned on my mobile and found a message saying we are going to Wakefield Park race track. Yes, I wanted to drive it, but a few hours’ sleep might have been nice!

“Still, as soon as I fired it up, I forgot about the jetlag. There was a track full of Nissans and Subarus and Evos doing real laps and here’s me going sideways most of the way.”

Taylor returns to WRC Academy action over the weekend of 29 September to 2 October at Round 11 of the WRC series, Rallye de France Alsace. H&H

Issue 200 • 12 September 2011 • Page 12

A day in the life of Team Total Words: Evan Rothman Pictures: Evan Rothman & Neil Weideman The world of top-flight South African motorsport is an exclusive one. Rallying is a specialised discipline and requires a different set of abilities when compared to their counterparts in other forms of the sport. To experience the thrills, the adrenalin surge and the talent it requires

to perform at the top level of any sport is something to behold, and to sit beside a driver in full control of a rally car sideways through a fast sweeping bend is a moment to savour for life.

This is exactly what Total South Africa employees, media and the nine lucky competition prize winners revelled in on 7 September: “A Day in the Life of Team Total.”

Team Total is South Africa’s largest

Issue 200 • 12 September 2011 • Page 13

privateer rally team with four crews proudly flying the flag for the oil giant in the eight-round 2011 South African Rally Championship. Comprised of Mohammed Moosa and Grant Martin (#9 Team Total Toyota Auris S2000), Jean-Pierre Damseaux and Carolyn Swan (#10 Team Total Toyota Auris S2000), Craig Trott and Robbie Coetzee (#52 Team Total Toyota RunX S1600) and the only all-female crew in South African rallying Stefanie Botha and Angela Shields (#60 Team Total Toyota RunX S1600), the team contests two Classes within the National Championship. Class S2000 is our country’s premier rally category, with a total of 18 of these 2.0-litre, four-wheel drive, purpose-built machines doing battle on events around the country. Class S1600 ranks as the fastest two-wheel drive Class for 1.6litre cars that have often finished within the top ten overall on rallies.

These high-powered cars were on demonstration at RallyStar Academy near Bapsfontein, Gauteng over a tight and twisting stage set out to showcase the abilities of man and machine on the dusty and slippery route. When the rally drivers don their helmets and strap themselves into their cars, the adrenalin is dumped in huge dollops into their bloodstream and they attack the stage as if it was dependent on a rally win.

However, the best gauge of this was not witnessing the sideways driving,

the screaming engine note or the thick plumes of dust kicked up by the tyres as they hunt for traction in the soft gravel, but in their speechless passengers when they return to the service park. “Wow, wow, wow” and “I cannot believe what was happening before my eyes” were just two of the most common replies when asked about their experience.

SABC1’s Mzansi Insider and Eastern Mosiac’s bubbly presenters were left at a loss of words after climbing out of the cars. The drivers were all excited that new fans of the sport have been cemented after this event as well as bringing awareness of Team Total to the media’s attention. When asked how he is able to drive a car at it limits, and the car’s capabilities, Damseaux succinctly summed it up best: “Welcome to my office.”

Having completed six rounds thus far of the South African Rally Championship, Moosa leads the Team Total charge in 13th overall with teammate Damseaux 14th in the overall Drivers’ Standings. Trott is 2nd in Class S1600 as well as in the Two Wheel Drive Championship and Botha is 12th in Class S1600 and 14th in the Two Wheel Championship’s leader board.

After recording two top ten finishes in last month’s Garden Route Rally, Team Total demonstrated their skills to all. Their focus now turns to the upcoming Toyota Cape Dealer Rally on

23 and 24 September in Malmesbury and Killarney areas of the Western Cape.

Follow Team Total: For news, stage times and photographs live from the event, visit us on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/pBFCpZ and on Twitter at http://bit.ly/jBLu4j. You may also find more information at http://www.totalmotortsport.co.za. H&H

Parc Ferme

Event Reports Results

Topsy Turvy Down Under Words: Evan Rothman Pictures: Matt Jelonek for Handbrakes & Hairpins Citroën lost the WRC Rally Australia. Yes, that strong statement is bound to upset a few and yet strike a chord with many though. For the Blue Oval to win here this weekend in a straight fight, would have been a longshot, what with the French team’s pace on gravel this season. Ford’s factory drivers, not to take anything away from their fantastic one-two result on this demanding rally, kept their team boss and sponsors pleased with their consistent approach and unwavering dedication to winning.

It was a win that rightly belonged to Finnish stars Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen (Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team) after they charged through the final day of the rally to win the event by 14.7sec over teammates Jari-Matti Latvala/Miika Anttila. Some 30-odd seconds behind was the Citroën privateer team of Petter Solberg/Chris Patterson (Petter Solberg World Rally Team) to claim a second podium result of the 2011 season.

Latvala and Hirvonen swapped leads throughout the rally, but it was Latvala who ended up first at the overnight halt on Day Two. Latvala enjoyed a 22.7sec advantage over his teammate, but Ford’s bosses and M-Sport’s team prinicipal decided on employing strategy to bring Hirvonen the extra points needed in his Drivers’

Championship battle with Sebastien Loeb/Daniel Elena (Citroën Total World Rally Team). Latvala slowed his speed on the final gravel stage of the rally, and so Hirvonen jumped into the lead to bag the extra points.

These Ford antics would not have mattered were it for the lapses in concentration from, firstly, Sebastien Loeb/Daniel Elena on SS4 on Day One and then by Sebastien Ogier/ Julien Ingrassia (Citroën Total World Rally Team) on SS6. The two French crews both crashed out of the rally on Day One, thus handing Ford the opportunity to win their first gravel event of 2011.

This was made all the more easy when it emerged that Petter Solberg/Chris Patterson (Petter Solberg World Rally Team) struggled for grip on the loose and slippery gravel roads of Day Two in their privateer Citroën DS3 WRC. The factory Citroëns did, however, restart Day Two under SupeRally regulations but Loeb and Ogier were unable to play a role in this weekend’s outcome.

The two Sebastiens were not the only drivers to succumb to the harsh conditions of the WRC Rally Australia, as Ken Block/Alex Gelsomino (Monster World Rally Team) were classified as the first casualties of the rally by retiring on SS1 and were unable to restart the event as their Ford Fiesta RS WRC was too damaged.

Peter van Merksteijn/Eddy Chevallier (Van Merksteijn Motorsport), Henning Solberg/

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Ilka Minor (M-Sport Stobart Ford World Rally Team), Evgeniy Novikov/Denis Giraudet (M-Sport Stobart Ford World Rally Team) and Daniel Oliviera/Carlos Magalhaes (Brazil World Rally Team) all retired on Day One and took to Day Two under SupeRally conditions.

Van Merksteijn fimnished 13th overall followed by Henning Solberg in 14th position, while Novikov spectacularly crashed out of the rally on Day Three.

Oliviera’s MINI John Cooper Works WRC machine proved difficult to push to the finish line due to mechanical woes, and he was later sidelined as a result.

The two Sebastiens drove the wheels off their Citroën DS3 WRCs, with Ogier proving the quicker of the two. On the final stages, Ogier slowed his pace to enable the seven-times World Rally Champions to overtake to claim a pointsscoring position. Loeb finished tenth overall, with Ogier in 11th. Ogier did, however, set a string of fastest stage times on Day Two’s afternoon loop of speed tests.

The WRC Rally Australia, an event run with efficiency and worldclass organisation, was not the WRC showcase all fans had anticipated. This gravel rally, which Loeb had only won once in his career, offered Ford their best opportunity to defeat their French rivals.

Here they capitalized on their opponents’ demise, but the Blue Oval teams were unable to compare speed on the surface.

Ford, who have yet to confirm their participation in the series for 2012, claimed four of the top five positions.

“This is a fantastic feeling and a very important result for the team and for my Championship chances,” said Hirvonen. “I have to say a big thank

you to my team and also to Jari-Matti for slowing down. I’m back in the game, but we have to work really hard now to improve our pace on Tarmac.”

Latvala, who won nine of 26 stages during the weekend, said: “Of course it would have been great to have won the rally but it was a great result for the team.”

Ford’s second victory of the 2011 season (after Hirvonen claimed the WRC Rally Sweden top honours) coincided with the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States which the American firm marked by carrying memorial stickers on its factory machines.

The event was opened with unexpected rain on Thursday evening, and this rain continued without pause throughout Friday’s stages to leave the gravel roads slippery, muddy and treacherous for all crews. With the final day of the rally contested over dry roads and under sunny skies, Matthew Wilson/ Scott Martin (M-Sport Stobart Ford World Rally Team) claimed their equal careerbest result in the WRC to finish fourth overall. Interestingly, Wilson has now scored on eight rallies in 2011 and this weekend’s performance moves him one step closer to a podium result.

The fourth Ford Fiesta RS WRC home was that of Team Abu Dhabi’s Khalid Al Qassimi/Michael Orr, finishing fifth overall in their best-ever performance. This pairing was also the last of the WRC runners to not have restarted the WRC Rally Australia at some point under SupeRally regulations.

The Abu Dhabi driver finished some 12min 30sec behind the winner Hirvonen and 5min ahead of sixth-placed Hayden

Paddon/John Kennard (New Zealand World Rally Team, PWRC), who claimed the Production World Rally Championship title with their incredible win.

In a lowly tenth overall was Loeb/Elena and finished 30min adrift of the rally winners. Loeb scored one point for his eighth Drivers’ Championship title aspirations, but it was teammate Ogier who slowed his speed to allow Loeb this opportunity to move one place higher on the final overall leader board.

Loeb explained the team tactics after the rally: “On this rally the team made this choice because there is big pressure from Mikko who closed the gap a lot in the championship because of our mistake.”

The WRC next heads to France for the WRC Rallye de France Alsace for a showdown of the Sebastiens. This Tarmac event will be followed three weeks later with the asphalt-based WRC RallyRACC Rally of Spain. H&H

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION: 01) M. Hirvonen/J. Lehtinen Ford Fiesta RS WRC - 03h 35m 59.0s 02) J-M. Latvala/M. Anttila Ford Fiesta RS WRC + 14.7s 03) P. Solberg/C. Patterson Citroën DS3 WRC + 44.8s 04) M. Wilson/S. Martin Ford Fiesta RS WRC + 08m 45.2s 05) K. Al Qassimi/M. Orr Ford Fiesta RS WRC + 12m 33.3s 06) H. Paddon/J. Kennard Subaru Impreza GpN + 17m 29.3s 07) M. Kosciuszko/M. Szcepaniak Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X + 19m 01.3s 08) O. Saliuk/P. Cherepin Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX + 21m 08.5s 09) B. Guerra/B. Rozada Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X + 22m 48.9s 10) S. Loeb/D. Elena Citroën DS3 WRC + 30m 02.9s

Issue 200 • 12 September 2011 • Page 16

Hutchison/Verlaque win at Carnival City Words: Staff Writer Pictures: Motorpics Winning the 4X4 Mega World 400 race this weekend was the Motorite Revo 4x4 of Evan Hutchison and debutant co-driver Megan Verlaque, who also claimed the win of the Special Vehicles Category.

Special Vehicle Category: Special Vehicle Championship leaders Kallie and Quintin Sullwald won a skirmish but lost the battle at the 4x4 Mega World 400, Round Six of the Absa Off-Road Racing Championship that ended at Carnival City near Brakpan, Gauteng, yesterday.

Evan Hutchison, partnered by rookie co-driver Megan Verlaque in the Motorite Revo 4x4, scored his first win of the season to revive his Championship hopes. Hutchison moved into second place in the Drivers’ Championship but second place for the Sullwalds, in the Elegant Fuel Bat, saw the Phalaborwa father-and-son crew finish the day with a 28.5 points cushion at the top of the Championship.

Hutchison/Verlaque had a comfortable cushion of around 03min over the Sullwalds who are the reigning South African Champions.

Verlaque, a rally driver who competes in the South African Rally Championship, was a late replacement for Danie Stassen, and made history by becoming the first rookie navigator to win a national event on debut.

“Megan did a great job under difficult circumstances, and it was a timely win for me,” said Hutchison. “With two events remaining I still have a chance of catching Kallie, but I have to keep winning.”

The Sullwalds, who also finished second on this event last year, nursed the Elegant Fuel BAT over the last 70km of the race when an oil pressure problem provided them with a few anxious moments.

“From a Championship point of view it was a good result for us, but we were a little lucky,” said Sullwald Sr. “It was a difficult event for Quintin, but he did a sterling job.”

A fine performance saw Marius and Jolinda Fourie finish third overall and win Class P in the PHB BAT. It was also a timely return to form for the husband-and-wife team who led the Class P Championship before a couple of nonfinishes set them back on their heels.

A fine recovery saw Mark Corbett/Rudi Balzer (Century Racing CR2) storm through the field to finish fourth ahead of Nick and Ryan Harper in the Motorite BAT. The other Century Racing entry, the CR3 driven by Colin Mathews/Alan Smith, was a major casualty. Matthews/Smith blitzed the Donaldson Prologue, but reliability problems struck again and they retired with gearbox problems.

The other big losers were Hermann and Wichard Sullwald, in the Sullwald Racing SVR, who started the day lying second in the overall Championship. A string of punctures saw them eventually finish 14th in the Special Vehicle Category, and they finished the event after borrowing wheels from Boela Botes/ Johan Pretorius (Botes Vervoer BAT), who were stranded on the side of the road.

A steady run saw Johan van Staden/ James Rossouw (Atlas Copco BAT) come in behind the Harpers. The Class A crew came in sixth ahead of Sun City 400 winners Richard Fuller/Geoff Minnitt in the Atlas Copco BAT running in Class P. A superb performance took former SA Off-Road Racing Motorcycle Champion Graham Maclachlan into the top eight in the ageing Connix Koloi. Maclachlan and brother Vivian were also forced to start from near the back of the field and did a great job in what was only their third event.

There was another Class P podium place

Issue 200 • 12 September 2011 • Page 17

for Nick Goslar/Andrew Massey (Men’s Health International Zarco) behind the Fouries and Fuller/Minnitt. Fourth went to Championship leaders Archie Rutherford/Mike Lawrenson, in the Regent Racing Jimco, who were happy to consolidate their position at the top of the Championship.

A close Class B battle eventually went to brothers Keith and Andrew Makenete in a Zarco. They finished a minute ahead of Prologue winners Coetzee Labuscagne and daughter Sandra in the Raysonics Zarco.

Production Vehicle Category: Pikkie Labuschagne/Rikus Erasmus pulled off a major upset when they won the Production Vehicle category this weekend.

Labuschagne/Erasmus are the reigning Class E Champions and were having only their second outing in the premier SP Class. The pair took control of the race just before the end of the first of two laps that made up the race, and eventually finished 63sec ahead of Lance Woolridge/Ward Huxtable in the Team Ford Ranger.

“We had a comfortable lead on the second loop when we suddenly saw the Ford in our mirrors,” said Labuschagne. “They were flying and we had to pick up our pace.

“We had a game plan and stuck to it, but the major factor was that we never had to get out of the vehicle throughout the race.”

Third were North West crew Jannie Visser/Joks le Roux (International Toyota Hilux), who are former Class E Champions. Visser/Le Roux were around 06min behind Woolridge/Huxtable, but for the veteran crew it was their third visit to the podium this season.

Both the Castrol Toyota Hilux

factory entries of Duncan Vos/Rob Howie and Anthony Taylor/Chris Birkin and the works Ford Racing Ranger of reigning Champions Chris Visser/ Japie Badenhorst failed to see out the distance. That has left the Production Vehicle championship poised on a knife edge.

Unofficial scoring sees only nine points separating the top five crews with two events remaining. The Barden Tyres Services Nissan Navara pair of Thomas Rundle/Juan Mohr now lead the Championship with seventh place enough to take them to the top of the table ahead of Vos/Howie and the Regent Racing Navara of Terence Marsh/ George Smalberger.

Marsh/Smalberger finished fifth, just behind Regent Racing teammates Mike Whitehouse/Mathew Carlson.

Whitehouse/Carlson are also in the championship picture and trail Vos/ Howie and Marsh/Smalberger by two points.

A steady drive took the fatherand-son pair of Hugo and Jaap de Bruyn (Micaren Exel Toyota Hilux) into sixth place. They edged out Rundle/Mohr who battled with powersteering problems.

Both Castrol Toyota Hilux entries suffered from fuel pressure problems, and the same malady put paid to Hannes Grobler/Hennie ter Stege in the RFS BMW X3. Gearbox problems sidelined Visser/Badenhorst while Gary Bertholdt/Andre Vermeulen rolled the Atlas Copco Toyota Hilux early on the first loop.

With a high rate of attrition in the SP Class, the top eight was rounded out by the 4x4 Mega World Toyota Hilux of reigning Class D Champions Deon Venter/Ian Palmer. Both the N1 4x4 Toyota Land Cruisers of Louis Weichelt/ Francis Boersma and Cliff Weichelt/Johan

Smalberger were also casualties.

That gave Championship leaders Jack and Sarel Oosthuizen, in a Land Rover, a clear run into second in Class D. The Oosthuizens maintained a 100 percent finish record, and have taken a firm grip on the Championship.

Down in the Class E Championship, leaders Dirk Putter/Koos Claasens (Zizwe Toyota Hilux) extended their points lead. A solid performance brought in well ahead of Gerald le Roux/ Walter Hickley in the Ruwacon Racing Ford Ranger.

A suspension problem was a setback for teenagers Jason Venter/ Vincent van Alleman in the 4x4 Mega World Toyota Hilux. They started the day only 1.5 points behind Putter and Claasens. H&H

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION: Special Vehicle Category: 01) E. Hutchison/M. Verlaque REVO 4x4 - 05h 31m 06s 02) K-H. Süllwald/Q. Süllwald BAT Spec 4 - 05h 34m 30s 03) M. Corbett/R. Balzer CR 4 - 05h 52m 25s 04) N. Harper/R. Harper BAT Spec 4 - 05h 52m 44s 05) J. Van Staden/J. Rossouw BAT Spec 5 - 05h 53m 03s Production Vehicle Category: 01) P. Labuschagne/R. Erasmus Toyota Hilux - 05h 41m 50s 02) L. Woolridge/W. Huxtable Ford Ranger - 05h 42m 53s 03) J. Visser/J. Le Roux Toyota Hilux - 05h 49m 11s 04) M. Whitehouse/M. Carlson Nissan Navara - 05h 50m 04s 05) T. Marsh/G. Smalberger Nissan Navara - 05h 52m 13s

Issue 200 • 12 September 2011 • Page 18

L’Estage cruises to victory at Rallye Defi Words: Staff Writer Pictures: Andrew Harvey Photography Antoine L’Estage and Nathalie Richard knew that the 2011 Rallye Defi would be won on the first two stages of the event.

“That’s what happened last year,” said L’Estage. “We took maybe 45sec lead there last year and managed that to the end.”

This year, the team opened up a lead over the first two stages, though only 3.9sec over Pat Richard and Leanne Junnila. However, an error forced Richard/Junnila to cover extra distance prior to the first stage, and the team ran out of fuel after the first stage. They were towed to the refueling location – against the rules – and continued in the rally.

“We broke the suspension on the second stage, and fixed it in service,” said Richard, who was able to get back on pace over the afternoon stages. However, at the end of Friday’s action, L’Estage had opened up a 10sec lead on Richard, but that would become moot as Richard/Junnila were excluded from the event for getting the tow.

“Everyone on the team worked really hard to get here, and to be excluded is really frustrating,” said Richard after the event. The DNF puts Richard at a huge disadvantage in the Canadian Rally Championship points.

Richard’s exclusion meant L’Estage’s lead opened up to 2min 20sec over “Crazy” Leo Urlichich, who had problems of his own.

“I broke an axle on the first stage, as is becoming tradition,” joked Urlichich. “Then we had problems with the differentials and so I was going pretty slowly.”

Urlichich and co-driver Martin Brady regained their pace on Saturday’s stages winning multiple stages, but still struggling with pacenote issues and a bad flat tire on the fourth stage of the day.

“We have been trying a new system, and initially it was good, but now that I’m getting faster, it doesn’t seem as consistent.”

Leo and Brady eventually finished second, matching his career best finish.

L’Estage and Nathalie Richard spent most of the second day managing their lead to a winning margin of 03min 39.2sec, marking

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L’Estage’s sixth career win at Defi, and the team’s seventh consecutive win in Canada.

“We’ve clinched the North American Rally Cup here as well,” said L’Estage. “That makes it my fourth, and for Nathalie, her seventh.”

Steven Hobbs, who finished on the podium at Defi in 2009, after starting 29th, appeared to be on a similar run, moving up to third by midday Saturday, partly through his own speed and attrition in the field. Hobbs crashed out on the Montepellier stage, retiring from the rally.

Rounding out the podium were Craig Henderson/Lyne Murphy. The pair had struggled early in the event, with the car being down on power, but once they had it fixed, they worked up through the order to finish a comfortable third place.

“We had problems on the first two stages, the car was only on three cylinders,” said Henderson. “Once that was solved, then we were able to drive much better.”

The 2010 edition of Rallye Defi

saw an incredible two-wheel drive battle that finished with just 2sec separating the first and second place teams. This year, no such battle emerged. Jan and Jody Zedril won the two-wheel drive Class after their strongest competitors had problems.

“We really were looking forward to a great battle,” said Jan Zedril. “When we knew that Eric Grochowski was out and Simon Dube was so far back after damaging his car, it took some of the fun out of it. Instead, we just have to see how we can do against the all wheel drive cars.”

The Zedrils suffered a flat tire on the second stage, and intermittent intercom problems, but with no threat to their position, stayed smooth and calm to finish 14th overall, nearly 9min ahead of Simon Dube and co-driver Pat Lavigne.

“After we knew Dube was off the pace, it was ok,” said Jan Zedril. “We had a few problems, but didn’t have to push, and just tried to match last year’s times, which we did.”

The 2011 season continues

with the Pacific Forest Rally, in Merritt, B.C., September 30 – August 1, 2011.

This event can be considered Richard’s home rally, but L’Estage won the event in 2010. H&H

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION: 01) A. L’Estage/N. Richard – 01h 17m 28.0s 02) L. Urlichich/M. Brady – 01h 21m 07.2s 03) C. Henderson/L. Murphy – 01h 23m 30.9s 04) M. Losier/P. Poirier – 01h 23m 51.2s 05) M. Bourassa/D. Paquette – 01h 24m 25.8s 06) U. Desgreniers/E. Kirby – 01h 24m 34.9s 07) M. Labrie/R. Labrie – 01h 25m 01.4s 08) N. Mathew/K. Mathew – 01h 25m 19.6s 09) S. Losier/A. Madon – 01h 26m 09.9s 10) S. Vincent/S. Vincent – 01h 26m 42.6s

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Kopecky wins closest ever IRC rally Words: Staff Writer Pictures: IRC Media Skoda Motorsport’s Jan Kopecky won the 45th Canon Mecsek Rallye by the smallest margin in the history of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) after a dramatic final day of action. In an event marked by close battles throughout the field, Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg’s Thierry Neuville won the final stage but lost out to the Czech driver overall by just 0.8sec.

Right up until the penultimate stage, this rally looked like it belonged to Skoda UK’s Andreas Mikkelsen. The Day One rally leader started Day Two strongly, built an advantage with a commanding early stage win, then backed off too much on the first stage of the afternoon on Day Two. With the pressure back on, 6.2km into SS13 Mikkelsen slid wide on gravel in a fast right-hand corner and the back of his car hit a tree. He was able to keep the heavily damaged Fabia S2000 moving until the next junction, where he was able to park it safely.

“We had the perfect weekend up until stage thirteen,” he said. “We had led from the start, I was driving smart, Ola [Floene] was doing an amazing job and the car was faultless.

I’m so disappointed about what happened. Our rally came to an end on an uphill fast right-hand

corner over a crest, and where it tightened a little there was gravel all over the road. It was a repeat of a stage we’d done this this morning, and the first time through there was no gravel.

Even on the second run there was a nothing on the road until that point. When we hit the gravel there was no grip at all and we slid off the road in sixth gear and hit a tree. We are getting so close to winning a rally now, it’s just a shame we couldn’t fulfil it here.”

The battle for the lead between the Skoda teammates wasn’t the only story of the event. Peugeot’s Thierry Neuville was third overall and began the Day Two within striking distance of the leader. There could be no question of team orders up front as Neuville racked up a succession of stage wins, and after Mikkelsen’s retirement Neuville ended the penultimate stage 8.1sec behind new leader Kopecky.

To close the gap over the remaining 17.7km would be a tall order, and so it proved.

Neuville won the final stage convincingly but fell just short of overall victory, by 0.8sec. Could they have snatched victory in the final stage?

Neuville and co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul will be pondering that between now and the next round.

“Unfortunately I absolutely wanted to modify a pace note in a very fast section, and I didn’t have time to tell him the pace note for

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afterwards,” said Gilsoul. “The corner tightened so we had a big moment. But Thierry has very good car control and we had a bit of luck.”

Freddy Loix brought his BFOSkoda home third. Having shown speed on Day One, he couldn’t hit the same heights on the second.

“It’s a combination of factors,” he said. “The feeling of the car is better, I have a good feeling but I’m losing a few seconds here and there. I can see where I’m losing but I can’t react for the stage after, so it’s always the same silly mistakes. It’s not a question of gravel on the road. If I feel well, like in the Barum Rally, gravel is no problem. It’s more about being on the big attack and about confidence.”

Confidence had been a problem for Peugeot France’s Bryan Bouffier on the Day One as he struggled with setup issues and lack of trust in the veracity of his pace notes. On Day Two he was within the top five on every stage, but the overall gap to the leaders was too great for the Rallye Monte Carlo winner to overcome.

Fifth fell to Hermann Gassner Jr in only his second asphalt rally in the Red Bull Skoda. Gassner improved continuously throughout the event, beginning just outside the top ten and

ultimately passing more experienced entrants on merit. By Day Two’s morning he was posting stage times well within the top ten, and was fourth quickest over the last two stages.

It was only on the penultimate stage that Gassner unseated local IRC Production Cup entrant Gyorgy Aschenbrenner, who used his local knowledge to remarkable effect.

Regularly setting top ten stage times aboard his Ralliart Lancer Evolution IX, Aschenbrenner delighted the local fans and drew one of the biggest crowds in the Service Park.

Brake problems on the first day consigned Toni Gardemeister to the lower portion of the top ten, and his counter-attack this morning was hindered by a misfire on SS1. On Day Two’s afternoon, though, the TGS Worldwide Skoda came on song and Gardemeister had no complaints.

Hungarian entrant Robert Butor finished eighth after a strong run, beating several IRC regulars in his Peugeot 207 S2000: “We are very happy. For us the Hungarian championship was the most important and in this we are second, so it’s good.”

Bruno Magalhaes was ninth in the Peugeot Sport Portugal 207 S2000, having solved the setup and gear ratio

issues that hindered him on Day One. Beppo Harrach rounded out the top ten in a Ralliart Lancer Evolution IX, though Karl Kruuda - who suffered a puncture in SS12 - was just 2.1sec H&H behind after the final stage.

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION: 01) J. Kopecky/P. Stary Skoda Fabia S2000 - 02h 00m 06.7s 02) T. Neuville/N. Gilsoul Peugeot 207 S2000 + 0.08s 03) F. Loix/F. Miclotte Skoda Fabia S2000 + 01m 00.0s 04) B. Bouffier/X. Panseri Peugeot 207 S2000 + 01m 25.6s 05) H. Gassner Jr/T. Gottschalk Skoda Fabia S2000 + 02m 32.5s 06) G. Aschenbrenner/P. Zsuzsa Ralliart Lancer Evo IX + 02m 38.2s 07) T. Gardemeister/T. Suominen Skoda Fabia S2000 + 03m 05.6s 08) R. Butor/I. Bacigal Peugeot 207 S2000 + 03m 16.8s 09) B. Magalhaes/P. Grave Peugeot 207 S2000 + 03m 51.7s 10) B. Harrach/A. Schindlbacher Ralliart Lancer Evo IX + 02m 38.2s