ERC 3
Late Chorbiński crash hands ERC3 victory to Vatanen
Michał Chorbiński went from hero to zero in FIA ERC3 when a crash on the penultimate stage led to his exit and handed a second victory of the season to Ville Vatanen.
Chorbiński was 13.3sec ahead of Vatanen starting SS14 of 82nd Rally Poland, but an off 200 metres into the stage meant home heartbreak for the former Polish 2WD champion and a win on Tarmac for Vatanen and co-driver Joonas Ojala.
Casey Jay Coleman made a remarkable recovery to finish second
© At World
With title contender Lucas Zielinski crashing out of the lead fight on Sunday morning – the Michelin-equipped Frenchman was 9.4sec behind fellow Renault Clio Rally3 driver Chorbiński when he went off the road on SS10 – Vatanen now tops the provisional standings by 11 points having been one point ahead of Zielinski prior to Poland.
“It’s so important, the feeling is unbelievable,” Vatanen said. “Our first Tarmac win in ERC is something special. This kind of rally is really tricky with a lot of fast corners, a lot new for me. But we are here, no mistakes, and big thanks to my team, my sponsors and my co-driver Joonas.
Kallum Graffin moved into a podium position on Sunday
© At World
Casey Jay Coleman completed a remarkable recovery drive to finish second having limped to the finish of the Friday night super special stage in Katowice with broken left-rear suspension before starting leg two in sixth place.
The final-day drama also ensured a career-best third for Kalum Graffin as Petr Kačírek nursed his ailing Fiesta to the finish in fourth, the Czech reporting a gearbox oil leak.
Michał Chorbiński crashed out of the lead on Sunday
© At World
Former ERC3 champion Igor Widłak moved ahead of Marcin Górny for fifth on the penultimate stage and finished 6.5sec ahead of the professional firefighter.
More to follow…
