ERC
Zielinski zooms to ERC3 glory
Lucas Zielinski scored a debut FIA ERC3 Championship victory on 43rd Andalusia Rally - Sierra Morena - Córdoba World Heritage Site, despite fearing his hopes of glory were over.
The Frenchman, who was competing in Spain as his prize for winning the Clio Trophy France Asphalte title in 2025, had built a lead of 17.3sec after four stages. But a brush with a roadside barrier on SS5 allowed the chasing Casey Jay Coleman to close to within 3.8sec.
Zielinski was 4.8sec in front at the Saturday evening halt in Córdoba but the gap was down to 4.2sec following Sunday’s second stage after Zielinski had eased off amid fears he’d picked up tyre damage.
His response was instant and emphatic with the fastest time on SS10, the last of the morning loop, to lead by 12.8sec with three stages remaining.
Casey-Jay Coleman took home Fiesta Trophy plaudits
© At World
With Coleman focused on topping the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy during the closing loop of three stages, Zielinski was able to pull clear aboard his Michelin-shod Renault Clio Rally3.
“It’s amazing, it’s like a dream come true, I don’t have the words,” said Zielinski. “It’s been a good rally, we found the pace, the car was amazing, especially on the smooth Tarmac and the tyres worked very well.”
Looking back on his Saturday drama, Zielinski added: “In a fast, left turn it was full of gravel, we couldn't avoid it. We went sideways, we hit the rail and lose the powersteering. I thought it was over because the wheel on the rear was a bit stuck, and we had some smoke, but it was good news for us.”
Although he missed out on a first ERC3 victory by 33.2sec, Coleman claimed top ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy honours and a supply of tyres and fuel from partners Pirelli and Warter Fuels.
“I feel really good now,” said Coleman. “It’s a good result now, everyone is working really hard for us to get good results so massive thanks to everyone. Well done to Zielinski in front of me, great drive all weekend.”
Maximilian Lichtenegger fought back onto the podium on Sunday
© At World
On his step up to ERC3 level, Austrian Maximilian Lichtenegger lost third with a spin on Saturday’s final stage but came back strongly on Sunday to demote Cian Caldwell for the last podium place after the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver reported losing time by fitting used tyres for the Sunday morning loop.
Caldwell lost further ground due to a turbo issue and damaged wheel, leaving Kalum Graffin to move into fourth on SS12 as ex-karter Petr Kačírek completed the top six. Graffin and Caldwell completed the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy podium in an all-Irish top three.
With his hopes of victory ruined by a broken wheel rim on SS3, Ville Vatanen charged up from 15th to seventh place, the Finn claiming six stage wins in the process.
Craig Rahill, Vatanen’s KMS Racing team-mate, won SS2 but dropped out of contention with tyre damage on the next test before retiring with a reported sensor issue prior to Sunday’s first stage.
Igor Widłak, the 2022 ERC3 champion, returned to action in eighth with Aleksandar Tomov and Jan Pokos completing the top 10. Sebastian Butyński finished 11th followed by Alexandra Teslovan, Błazej Gazda and Joan Socias.
Gazda was delayed by a succession of flat tyres, while Socias described his rally as “very complicated”. For Romanian teenager Teslovan, meanwhile, finishing her first ERC event represented mission accomplished.
Scotland’s Robert Proudlock started leg two in 10th but retired on Sunday’s opening run with a fuel pressure issue.
It’s gravel next for the ERC3 crews with BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia taking place from 22 - 24 May.
For more information, stage times and live updates go to the new Live Centre by clicking HERE.
