The weather was the talking point on what was otherwise an excellent return tot he WRC for the Tour de Corse in a rally that produced an unlikely star…
From PR materials
Photographer Credit – Jaanus Ree/Red Bull Content Pool
TWELVE MONTHS AFTER SCORING HIS MAIDEN ASPHALT WRC VICTORY IN FRANCE, JARI-MATTI LATVALA RETURNED TO REPEAT THE FEAT ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
While last year’s success came in the country’s Alsace region, today’s victory in the Tour de Corse – Rallye de France was in Corsica as the event returned to the FIA World Rally Championship for the first time since 2008.
Latvala became only the second Finn to win the Mediterranean island rally, following Markku Alén’s victories in 1983 and 1984. After taking the lead near the end of Saturday’s second leg, he pulled clear in today’s three speed tests to win by 43.1sec in a Volkswagen Polo R.
Surprise early leader Elfyn Evans withstood a late challenge from Andreas Mikkelsen to secure a career-best second in a Ford Fiesta RS by 3.2sec.
Torrential rain and resulting flood damage forced the cancellation of two of the nine special stages. The twisty and narrow asphalt mountain roads were treacherously slimy after the storms and survival through Friday’s opening leg was the sole aim of many.
“We’ve not had to push to the maximum at any point, but it was a faultless drive in difficult conditions. After winning last year, I have now done it again in Corsica and it’s important for me to show I can be competitive on all surfaces,” said Latvala.
His victory was especially sweet after a heavy accident during his team’s pre-event test forced his German squad to halt its preparations.
Evans led until he was overhauled by Latvala on Saturday’s final stage and started today with a 28.8sec advantage over Mikkelsen. The Volkswagen driver was on course to snatch second midway through the final stage before a late push in the last few kilometres kept Evans ahead.
Kris Meeke kept out of trouble to retain fourth in Citroën’s DS 3, ahead of Hayden Paddon. The Kiwi belied his lack of asphalt experience to climb from 15th following Friday’s opening stage to demote Mads Østberg in the penultimate stage and claim fifth in a Hyundai i20.
Credit – Jaanus Ree/Red Bull Content Pool
Dani Sordo gained four places today to finish seventh as he continued his recovery from Friday’s puncture, with the Fiesta RS cars of Bryan Bouffier, Stéphane Sarrazin and Ott Tänak completing the leaderboard.
Robert Kubica restarted after Saturday’s puncture-induced retirement and claimed two bonus points after finishing second in the live TV Power Stage.
The championship heads to Rally RACC Catalunya – Costa Daurada in Spain for the penultimate round on 22 – 25 October, the only mixed surface event of the season.
Photographer Credit- Jaanus Ree
JULIEN MAURIN CLAIMED HIS MAIDEN WRC 2 WIN WITH VICTORY AT THE TOUR DE CORSE – RALLYE DE FRANCE ON SUNDAY.
The Frenchman, driving a Ford Fiesta RRC, took the lead on Saturday morning and ended the penultimate leg with a 19.0sec advantage over Esapekka Lappi. Maurin more than doubled his lead in Sunday’s opening stage, and was able to throttle back to win by 20.9sec.
Lappi admitted he could not match the pace of Maurin, the reigning French asphalt champion. But second in his Skoda Fabia R5 means the Finn climbed to second in the championship, nine points behind Nasser Al-Attiyah with the duo set for a title showdown in Spain later this month.
Armin Kremer crashed his Fabia R5 out of third in Sunday’s opening test, allowing Eric Camilli onto the podium in his Fiesta R5. Camilli ended 3min 22.0sec behind Lappi.
Craig Breen, who led initially before a puncture relegated him down the order, recovered to overhaul Teemu Suninen for fourth in a Peugeot 208 T16, the Irishman just 6.8sec behind Camilli.
Jonathan Hirschi completed the top six in another 208 T16.
Joan Carchat overturned a 14.6sec deficit in the Production Cup with two stages remaining to beat Max Rendina by 11.1sec, both drivers in Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X cars.
WRCPhotographer Credit – Jaanus Ree
QUENTIN GILBERT IS THE FIA JUNIOR WRC CHAMPION AFTER CLAIMING HIS FOURTH WIN IN FIVE ROUNDS AT THE TOUR DE CORSE – RALLYE DE FRANCE ON SUNDAY.
Gilbert won the demanding three-day asphalt event in Corsica by 1min 18.8sec to secure the title in Citroën’s DS 3 R3-MAX with two rounds remaining.
“I’m very happy to win in Corsica and secure the title in my home event. We were quite careful at the beginning because conditions were really difficult. When the roads dried we were able to attack more on Saturday afternoon and today we just had to protect our lead,” he said.
“It has been an exceptional season and I’m already looking forward to next year,” added Gilbert, who wins a prize drive in WRC 2 in 2016.
Yohan Rossel led for the first four stages but brake problems and a puncture allowed Terry Folb to move ahead. However, Gilbert took control and Folb slipped to third with handling issues.
Rossel suffered more brake problems today and Folb overhauled his fellow Frenchman to take second place by 5.4sec. Ole Christian Veiby finished fourth, a further 30sec behind, to climb to second in the points standings with Jean-René Perry the only other finisher in fifth.
Pierre-Louis Loubet, Mohammed Al Mutawaa and Jean-Philippe Martin all crashed out today while Jordan Berfa retired from fifth with a broken gearbox.
