Sesks: ERC Open a 'logical step'

Sesks steered his Skoda Fabia Rally2 Kit - which has around 30 less brake horsepower than its Rally2 counterpart - to class victory by almost nine minutes at the season opener as well  as finishing seventh overall. 

The Latvian previously spent two years in the FIA Junior WRC, but narrowly missed the title on both occasions. Speaking after his Fafe triumph, Sesks explained his reason for moving to ERC Open.

“We had this feeling already after 2020 season when we were [Junior WRC] vice-champions and there was the dilemma of what to do,” he Sesks. “At that moment, there was no such class like Rally2 Kit or even Rally3 and there was no real option what to do. 

“Coming to the 2022 season we had some offers also on Rally2 drives in both [ERC and WRC] championships, but as you know, it all depends on finances. 

“ERC Open felt like the most logical step because the car is faster than a Rally3 car but still quite close to a Rally2 car and much less expensive - like at least two-times cheaper to drive. Why drive one rally with Rally2 if we can do two rallies with this Kit Car? It was an easy choice.”

The 22–year-old was immediately impressed with his Proracing Rally Team-prepared Skoda, which carried him to fastest times on all but one of Fafe’s special stages. 

He will contest round two, the Azores Rallye (25 - 27 March), later this month, but a deal is yet to be struck for any further outings after that. 

"We understood that the car is performing well and maybe this lack of horsepower is not the main thing in this rally. No one really knew what the car is capable of, but that’s why we are here and showing the result and trying as hard as we can.

“Coming this far from Latvia, it would be nonsense not to go to Azores. We have a deal with the team for these two rallies, and we’ll see after Azores what we do next.”