ERC
Home hero Reiersen snatches ERC lead
Isak Reiersen is the new BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia leader, the home hero snatching top spot on the third stage of the high-speed gravel event this morning.
Tenth overall after Thursday evening’s Bråtebäcken super special, Reiersen was quickest on the rain-hit SS2, Grönlund, to shoot up to third overall aboard his Hankook-equipped Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, 1.5sec behind new leader Eyvind Brynildsen.
And after posting the quickest time again through SS3, Värmskog, which was also held in wet conditions, the Karlstad-based Reiersen moved into first place by 0.5sec with Brynildsen slipping to second in his Pirelli-shod Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 after he reported misjudging a junction.
“It was not as good as the last stage, I was a bit nervous,” Reiersen said after SS3. “We know what we can do. I just need to pull myself in a bit and try to enjoy it as well. This has been a dream to drive here and take a stage win.”
We know what we can do. I just need to pull myself in a bit and try to enjoy it as well
Brynildsen said: “I misjudged a junction so I needed to slow down not to hit anything. It is pity as it was a great stage and it new for everybody. This car is just unbelievable. I’m such a lucky boy and I need to enjoy every stage.”
Mads Østberg, with new co-driver Lucas Karlsson by his side, is third in a Citroën C3 Rally2 run on Michelin tyres with Frank Tore Larsen fourth in an MRF-equipped Volkswagen Polo GTI R5.
It means there are four tyre suppliers and four car manufacturers occupying the top four positions after three stages to further underline the highly competitive nature of the FIA European Rally Championship.
Power Stage pacesetter Philip Allen is fifth overall followed by ERC Staff House Rally Hungary winner Roope Korhonen. Andrea Mabellini is seventh after picking up front-right tyre damage on SS2. ERC points leader Miko Marczyk is eighth and SS1 winner Simone Tempestini ninth, while 2024 Junior ERC champion Mille Johansson completes the top 10.
Tymek Abramowski heads FIA ERC3 in a Pirelli-equipped Ford Fiesta Rally3, while Victor Hansen tops the FIA ERC4 classification in a Michelin-shod Peugeot 208 Rally4.
SS4, the repeat of Grönlund, is up next from 09:48 local time.
