ERC
Suárez gains in Spain with strong ERC Sunday morning loop
José Antonio Suárez remains on course to win 43rd Andalusia Rally - Sierra Morena - Córdoba World Heritage Site after he completed Sunday morning’s loop of three stages with a lead of 30.4sec.
Heading into today’s deciding loop 21.6sec ahead of Pirelli-shod Toyota driver Iván Ares, Suárez extended his advantage on the FIA European Rally Championship season opener by outpacing Ares on all three stages to return to midday service at Córdoba’s Estadio El Arenal firmly in front aboard his Michelin-supplied Škoda.
“This is more than I dreamed of when I was more young, now my head looks to the gap of the other drivers, but we need to keep pushing, working and managing,” Suárez said.
We need to keep pushing, working and managing
Teemu Suninen is firmly in the ERC podium fight
© ERC
Just 3.0sec behind Ares, who reported “making some mistakes” on SS10, double ERC champion Giandomenico Basso continues to occupy third place. However, the gap between the Italian and Teemu Suninen was cut to 4.1sec after a charging run by Finn Suninen through SS10.
The Racing Factory driver had been slowed by front-right tyre damage on SS9 but rebounded in style on the following stage, which he won by 2.2sec ahead of Suárez.
Jorge Cagiao is fifth, one place ahead of Pirelli-equipped Lancia Corse HF driver Andrea Mabellini, with reigning British champion William Creighton demoting Jakub Matulka for seventh after he came within 0.1sec of winning SS9.
William Creighton was 0.1sec from his first ERC stage victory
© ERC
Dominik Stříteský, who began leg two with an impressive fastest time through SS8, is ninth with Marco Bulacia moving up to P10 after Roberto Blach was forced to change a damaged front-right tyre on SS9 after he reported hitting a rock.
Callum Devine and Tristan Charpentier are next up with Erik Cais 13th for Team MRF Tyres. Tuukka Kauppinen, Simone Tempestini and Hankook-supplied Isak Reiersen follow.
For the latest ERC3 and ERC4 news and positions, go to the new Live Centre by clicking HERE.
The repeat of the 8.95-kilometre Obeja stage is next from 13:55 local time.
