Pellier and co-driver Marine Pelamourgues were faultless throughout in their Opel Corsa, managing a slippery surface on slick tyres in SS6 and the cover of night in SS7 to win every stage and establish an advantage of 1min 14.6sec over their closest pursuers by the end of the leg – placing them an astonishing fifth in the overall ranking.
Andrea Mabellini lies second in his Renault Clio, the Italian unable to hold a candle to Pellier but putting a 51.2sec buffer between himself and third-placed Palomo, who he is bidding to overhaul to clinch the ERC4 crown.
Fri 21 Oct 2022
Pellier leaves rivals trailing but Palomo on course for crown
Laurent Pellier did everything that could have been asked of him on the opening day of RallyRACC Catalunya-Costa Daurada today (21 October) as he comfortably leads the ERC4 battle – but Óscar Palomo remains on course for the class title.
Despite adopting a cautious approach with the bigger picture in mind, home hero Palomo is sitting pretty in third – although with neither Diego Ruiloba nor Roberto Daprà far behind, the Peugeot driver cannot afford to ease off too much on the final day.
Saturday’s action incorporates six special stages totalling 116.6km, which will culminate in the coronation of the 2022 ERC4 champion.
Keep up with all the action in Catalunya via live timing here.
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