ERC round-up: Neubauer’s best, Ravenščak takes two and Černý wanted more

Neubauer’s ERC best: Despite a spin on the second run through Semetín, Hermann Neubauer (above) banked his best ERC result so far in eighth place. “If somebody would tell me in front of this week that I would finish eighth I take it,” the former Austrian champion said afterwards.

Ravenščak takes two: Martin Ravenščak (above) claimed his second FIA ERC3 podium of the season in third place alongside co-driving sister Dora. “Everything was good and I’m really happy how everything went with Dora and my mechanics,” said the Croatian driver.

Sixth appeals for Llarena: While there wasn’t the Rally di Roma Capitale follow-up podium Efrén Llarena (above) craved, sixth place still represented a strong result for the Orsák Rally Sport driver: “We had really strong pace, we were not the fastest for sure but we could have fought for the podium,” he said. “But with my mistake [on Saturday] we lost 35sec.” Budget permitting, Llarena will complete his ERC season on Rally Silesia.

Armstrong rocks out: Jon Armstrong’s bid to return to the ERC top 15 was undone by a rock on SS4, which left the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver (above) with a double puncture and an enforced retirement from leg one after he ran out of spare tyres. “We clipped a rock in a cut,” said the M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2 driver. “It was over a crest and because these cars are so low it was hard to see so I hit the rock and got a double puncture on the left side and only had one spare and that was it.” Armstrong was in the top 10 on all six stages he tackled on leg two to underline his potential.

WRC3 star Černý wanted more: Jan Černý, a winner in this season’s FIA WRC3, was a visitor to the Barum Czech Rally Zlín service park in Otrokovice during the weekend. He explained why: “Robert Kolčák is driving my car so I am here with him the pacenotes and his driving. But when I see the live footage honestly it would be really nice to be driving and it’s quite difficult for me to be watching.”   

JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion in Wales is up next on the ERC roster from 30 August - 1 September.