ERC
Beware the crazy as Heindrichs tops Junior ERC order
Tom Heindrichs can make it back-to-back FIA Junior ERC victories – if he makes it through another day of Barum Czech Rally Zlín without significant delay and keeps team-mate Timo Schulz at bay.
Event rookie Heindrichs, part of the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team line-up, described the event’s difficulty level as “crazy” at the midday service halt in Otrokovice, which he reached with a lead of 10.3sec aboard his Hankook-shod Opel Corsa Rally4, following fastest times on the two stages that the Junior ERC crews were able to tackle this morning.
After completing the challenging afternoon loop still in front following a third stage win – and with an increased margin of 17.4sec – the Belgian driver is in the ascendency ahead of Sunday’s running, albeit more than aware of the challenge in store during the deciding 83.94 timed kilometres.
“It was a really good day, but we are on the Barum Rally so it’s always tricky,” said Heindrichs, the younger brother of 2024 world champion Thierry Neuville. “I’m really happy because we managed it well. The last stage [today] maybe we were too careful, but we know tomorrow’s stages will suit us well, even though they will be difficult, and the day is long. It was a crazy last stage. I think I would have preferred the gravel set-up and not the asphalt set-up.”
More to follow...
