ERC
ERC stars test to be best
FIA European Rally Championship drivers and their teams continued their preparations for the 43rd Andalusia Rally - Sierra Morena - Córdoba World Heritage Site with a day-long test today.
Using a 4.77-kilometre stage close to the town of Montoro, the test provided a final opportunity for drivers to get behind the wheel and teams to finalise car set-up ahead of the all-asphalt event opening the 74th ERC season on Friday.
While times were not the main focus during the test, Iván Ares, a multiple champion from Spain, went quickest of all during privately-organised session, setting a 2min 51.077sec best at the wheel of his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.
Isak Reirsen shrugged off his lack of asphalt driving time to go second quickest in 2min 51.176sec, followed by Fabrizio Zaldivar (2min 51.361sec). Tuukka Kauppinen was the next fastest ERC contender in a time of 2min 51.622sec, while Calle Carlberg also impressed on his step up from Junior ERC to Rally2 level with a time of 2min 52.097sec.
Ville Vatanen completed the test as the highest-placed ERC3 contender, as Aatu Hakalehto set the ERC4 pace. Andrei Gîrtofan, Kalum Graffin and Hubert Kowalczyk all suffered unfortunate accidents during the test, which ran from 09:00-19:00 local time.
The 43rd Andalusia Rally - Sierra Morena - Córdoba World Heritage Site takes place from 17 - 19 April.
Timing provided by Fotomotor.es.
