ERC: Kajetanowicz stamps authority in Cyprus

By Sam TickellRace Reviews
Share

Kajetanowicz has taken out the ERC round in Cyprus to virtually guarantee an unlikely Championship with just two rounds to go…

From PR materialsKKjump-800x533

ERC

Kajetan Kajetanowicz has won the CNP ASFALISTIKI Cyprus Rally 2015.

Co-driven by Jarek Baran, the Polish star completed the 16 mixed-surface stages in his LOTOS Rally Team Ford Fiesta R5 almost without drama, to win by a massive 4m25.1s. In doing so, Kajetanowicz has increased his lead in the FIA European Rally Championship.

“It’s been an amazing rally for us,” said Kajetanowicz. “We pushed very hard right up until the finish. Many drivers had problems, which shows how difficult the Cyprus Rally is. Our team has worked so well again this weekend. It was a big rally and a big win for us, and the points we have scored here are very important for the championship.”

Bruno Magalhães finished second in his Peugeot 208 T16, while a last stage rear puncture couldn’t deny Robert Consani a well-earned podium finish in his Citroën DS3 R5.

Cyprus-Rally-day-two_Dávid-Botka--800x533ERC2

Equipped with a new gearbox in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX for day two, Dávid Botka soon reclaimed the lead of ERC2 on the CNP ASFALISTIKI Cyprus Rally.

The Hungarian driver started the final day 24.9s behind local driver Christos Demosthenous, and just four stages later had closed the gap to 4.9s. Fastest time on SS13 saw Botka back in front, and he extended that advantage to 25.5s by the end of the event. Demosthenous was nonetheless delighted to finish second in ERC2, achieving his aim of finishing top Cypriot driver with seventh overall.

Vojtěch Štajf suffered from a lack of confidence with his pace notes, especially on today’s fastest sections, and with a small team of just three mechanics he didn’t want to go off and damage his Subaru Czech National Team Impreza WRX STI. The Czech driver still finished a magnificent third, to ensure the battle for the ERC2 title will go down to the final round.

Stavros Antoniou was on the rev-limiter for a lot of day two, as he pushed hard for Cyprus rally championship points. He was rewarded with a fourth place ERC2 finish in his Mitsubishi.

Dominykas Butvilas returned under Rally2 rules with the aim of scoring day points, and set ERC2 fastest time on five of the day’s eight stages in his Subaru Poland Rally Team Impreza WRX STI. Panikos Polykarpou also re-started, but a broken rear driveshaft slowed his Mitsubishi.

Although he never hit anything, Peter Ranga lost a wheel on his Mitsubishi on SS13 and was forced to retire from third position.

Dimi_day-two-800x533ERC3

Cyprus-based “Dimi” scored maximum ERC3 points, after a fine drive in his Suzuki Swift Sport on the CNP ASFALISTIKI Cyprus Rally.

The 42-year old Moscow-born driver enjoyed the faster and smoother roads, and said his little 1.6-litre car was on “full gas” for 80% of the Yeri stage! Not even a front right puncture near the end of SS11 could deny “Dimi” a well-deserved ERC3 points bonanza. He was the only starter in the class.

You might also like:

Formula 1: LeClerc dominates as Ferrari go 1-2 in Texas

Formula 1: Norris beats Verstappen to pole as Russell crashes out

Formula 1: Verstappen victorious in Austin Sprint Shootout