Following on from the dramatic 2013 Jännerrallye when Jan Kopecký beat Bryan Bouffier to victory by 0.5sec having started the deciding stage 10.6sec adrift, the 31st edition held from 3 - 5 January 2014 was similarly action-packed.
Who won?
Robert Kubica banked his first major international rallying victory by reversing a 11.8sec deficit on the final stage.
How?
The Formula One race winner started the closing 25.00-kilometre stage trailing Václav Pech (below) by 11.8sec. But a stunning performance, coupled with an inspired tyre choice, ensured victory for the Polish ace.
While Pech – who selected slick tyres for his MINI John Cooper Works S2000 – struggled for grip on the mud and rain-hit final test, Kubica opted for a combination of studded and winter Michelin tyres fitted in a diagonal formation, which proved ideal for the demanding conditions.
Co-driven in his Ford Fiesta RRC by Maciej Szczepaniak for the first time, Kubica was fastest in the fog and dark by 23.0sec to secure top spot over Pech by 19.9secc and top the inaugural ERC Ice Master standings after he set eight fastest stage times.
Kubica’s winning margin could have been even higher but for tyre damage on day one, a 10-sec penalty for a jumped start on the final morning, plus a minor brake issue. He earned the Colin McRae ERC Flat Out Trophy for his achievements, which was presented by two-time WRC champion Marcus Grönholm, who was in Austria as an expert commentator for Eurosport (below).
What was said?
“I did participate on four ERC events last year but I was often unlucky and made few mistakes as I was using the rallies for training,” Kubica said. “I was a bit more lucky this time but the conditions were very difficult. For sure this was one of the toughest weekends of my motorsport career.”
What else happened?
Ford Fiesta R5 driver Kajetan Kajetanowicz, who claimed the first of his three ERC titles in 2015, led before a jammed throttle pedal forced his exit on stage six.
Raimund Baumschlager, the 11-time Austrian champion, also enjoyed a stint at the head of the pack but would drop back with set-up issues and a penalty for a jumped start.
Andreas Aigner, the 2013 ERC Production Car Cup champion (pictured at a pre-rally promotional event with Kajetan Kajetanowicz below), impressed on his step up to the ERC’s headlining class by taking sixth in his Peugeot 207 S2000, which he was using in competition for the first time.
Beppo Harrach took ERC Production Car Cup honours for the second year running in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX R4, as second-placed fellow Austrian Hermann Neubauer was hit by brake and gearbox issues aboard his Subaru Impreza R4 STI. Ernst Haneder, a baker from event host town Freistadt, finished third.
Michael Böhm was a convincing winner in ERC 2WD, while defending champion Zoltán Bessenyey restarted following his exit on leg one, scoring six bonus points for finishing second in class on leg two.
Martina Daňelhová made her journey from neighbouring Czech Republic more than worthwhile by claiming the ERC Ladies’ Trophy laurels for the first time having battled back from a trip into a snowbank in the closing stages. Ekaterina Stratieva finished second.
The 38th Jännerrallye is taking place from 3 - 5 January. ERC podium finisher Simon Wagner held second place following Friday’s opening stage.
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