Azores Airlines Rallye 2018

[Jarek Z]

That was a scary but thrilling finale... what a drive by Ingram here on his 4WD debut. :D

Yes, great drive by Ingram! Clearly the best Under-28 driver in this rally. Congratulations!

[KKS]

Sesks time for prev stages was corrected and now he full minute down on overall

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Strange coincidence.. Huttunen didnt get through the final stage here last year when battling with Ingram in the Junior U27's !

[KKS]

:D I forgot about live video

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Congrats to Lukyanuk... different class here and a pretty comfortable win in the Fiesta R5.

[stefanvv]

Congrats to Lukyanuk... different class here and a pretty comfortable win in the Fiesta R5.

Which class?

[drive]

after last stage:
Lukyanuk Alexey - Arnautov Alexey
" I was so happy that I made some donuts before the end. Thanks to my team, my sponsors, they all did really great job. We will try to do our best and be clever."

[KKS]

U27.... Sesks down to 3rd. Llarena cut 40sec on one stage!!!

[Essaj]

U27.... Sesks down to 3rd. Llarena cut 40sec on one stage!!!

He has broken gearbox, only 1st and 2nd gear working.

[RS]

Congrats to Lukyanuk... different class here and a pretty comfortable win in the Fiesta R5.

Yes.. but Magalhães performance made me optimistic for the year.. last year he never really impressed me that much but he still took the championship down to the wire. He was a bit erratic here but sometimes quite fast too.

Overall, despite no Kajto or Bouffier this year I think this year’s ERC looks quite bright with the number and quality of drivers in U28. Still some to join too like Gryazin, Cerny and I think maybe more.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Which class?

The class of Champion I think... beating his biggest rival here and on Magalhaes' "home" event.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

@MSportLtd
Congratulations to Alexey Lukyanuk and Alexey Arnautov who piloted their #FordFiesta R5 to victory @FIAERC #AzoresAirlinesRallye today! 🏁🏆👏🏼 https://t.co/uQYEpNzudS

[Fast Eddie WRC]

FIAERC.com

"Alexey Lukyanuk laid down an emphatic marker for his ERC rivals to aim for, leading Azores Airlines Rallye from Thursday afternoon all the way through to Saturday’s final stage, and capping his wining start to this year’s FIA European Rally Championship with donuts before the finish line. Portuguese drivers Ricardo Moura and Bruno Magalhães tried their best, but had no answer for Lukyanuk’s rapid pace."

"Russia Performance Motorsport’s lead driver set hearts racing with only a few hundred meters of Tronqueira’s second pass remaining, Lukyanuk pulling wide to celebrate his impending victory with donuts. His showmanship cost over half a minute, but with nearly one minute in hand, entertaining the onlooking fans made no difference to the standings, sealing victory by 16.4 seconds."

[m-ast]

Great event in the azores, Lukyanuk looks a litle bit faster than anyone but no so far. Great times for many U28, the season looks promising. A same that the notional times where given so late from the COC that it made the fight in the U27 a bit in the unknown, great perfomance from our young gun Llarena, nice battles going to come during the year with the Opels and Wagner (a same the broken gearbox for him). Counting the days to came to the Islas Canarias

[N.O.T]

So the ERC this year is going to be Lukyanuk vs the local village nobodies at each event ?? pathetic.

[KKS]

Lukyanuk most of time is local village nobody too

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The Championship may not have big names and others have gone to WRC2, but ERC is still a good starting point.

Like for Breen and Lappi... top young prospects have to start somewhere.

[RS]

The Championship may not have big names and others have gone to WRC2, but ERC is still a good starting point.

Like for Breen and Lappi... top young prospects have to start somewhere.

If you want to develop as a driver, actually have a chance to win something and give some exposure to your sponsors then ERC is still the place to be.

Then you should go to WRC2 to learn the events.

[eddy707]

Eurosport's highlights programmes can be a bit hit and miss but both Azores shows have been pretty good I have to say.

Last show from Yesterday night made me chuckle when I heard how the commentator pronounced Sesks. Sounded like a German - Martin Zoesch. I like Carlton Kirby's voice but his pronunciation of foreign names is off the charts. You would think that they would do just a little bit of research of how to say the drivers names before recording the voice over...
But the shots are very nice indeed.

Happy for Sesks, good pace at his international debut. Congrats to Gago. Also impressed with Ingram, didn't expect him to be so fast so early. Overall a nice start to the season :)

[Luis Pacheco]

after last stage:
Lukyanuk Alexey - Arnautov Alexey
" I was so happy that I made some donuts before the end.

https://www.facebook.com/joana.rodrigues.5074/posts/10214159880764063

[Jarek Z]

Chris Ingram's Toksport team-mate, Turkish Orhan Avcioğlu, with an accident on SS11...

Here's a video of what happened:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TC51ekDR6T0

[Jarek Z]

Have you seen Craig Breen's spectacular performance on the city stage?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4myIB0xCGk

[RS]

Last show from Yesterday night made me chuckle when I heard how the commentator pronounced Sesks. Sounded like a German - Martin Zoesch. I like Carlton Kirby's voice but his pronunciation of foreign names is off the charts. You would think that they would do just a little bit of research of how to say the drivers names before recording the voice over...

Is it pronounced as it is written?

On day one he called Koci 'cookie' as I guess he didn't want to say 'cocky', but by day two he had found out how to say it properly.

[Mirek]

Koči shall be pronunced somewhat like what You would wrote as Koche.

[Jarek Z]

Interesting fact - everybody thinks that Opel Adam is the best R2 car now. But at the finish line of Junior ERC U27 we have 5 Peugeots and just 1 Opel in the top 6:
https://rally-base.com/2018/azores-airlines-rallye-2018/?ssId=4544&cupId=290&ssGroupId=1

[tommeke_B]

Well, with only 2 Adam R2's at the start, and one of them crashing out, you cannot expect much more... :)

[Luis Pacheco]

Can anyone tell me please what Luky said when he saw the cows?

https://www.facebook.com/lukyanuk/videos/968649396627642/

[stefanvv]

Can anyone tell me please what Luky said when he saw the cows?

https://www.facebook.com/lukyanuk/videos/968649396627642/

it's not for children auditory.

[sindroms]

Can anyone tell me please what Luky said when he saw the cows?

https://www.facebook.com/lukyanuk/videos/968649396627642/

His two words expression about very close relatives is a version "light" of really hardcore expression :D

[stefanvv]

His two words expression about very close relatives is a version "light" of really hardcore expression :D

I think some meditation exercises can be useful to be prepared for such situations.

[dimviii]

https://youtu.be/Tn88lBM2KXQ

[Luis Pacheco]

His two words expression about very close relatives is a version "light" of really hardcore expression :D

PM please. :)

[dimviii]

is it so unproper to post it?

[stefanvv]

is it so unproper to post it?

He is expressing his unsatisfaction with the entities he met unexpectedly, suggesting there is something wrong with their nature and behavior (or their Sheppard), being obstacle for him in this situation, so he thinks can have a word with their maker, be it God himself, suggesting he can do a better job in his own work. This is the short version.

[Rally Power]

Congrats to Lukyanuk and Arnautov. If Luky manages to avoid mistakes, it’ll be very hard for the other guys to beat him at the championship. Moura and Magalhães did a good job, althought Magalhães took some time to show his finest pace (he was already 40s behind at the end of SS6). Ingram and Koci were fine surprises, especially the Brit, considering this was his first rall with a 4wd. A faultless rally from Gago and a deserved win at U27; maybe this result will open him the door to more ERC events. Sesks speed was impressive; we’ll have to get used to the way his name is pronounced… overall, a nice season start at the beautiful and challenging Azorean stages and a special applause to RTP Açores for their broadcasts; it’d be great to have more TV live stages in the next ERC events.

[eddy707]

Is it pronounced as it is written?

On day one he called Koci 'cookie' as I guess he didn't want to say 'cocky', but by day two he had found out how to say it properly.

Kind of like saying desks(plural) but with a different sounding e. You can hear it here at 2:21(that's his father by the way).
https://youtu.be/gCMVaOuMXFs?t=141

I also remember Him calling Griebel as Greibel. It just surprises me that there seems to be no effort/preparations on these things considering how big Eurosport is and how wide their audience is.

But okay, enough of this. It's not like I am a mad grammar nazi, it just really amused me when I heard it.

[bomber21]

https://youtu.be/Tn88lBM2KXQ

Great video!!!
Thanks for posting it.

[N.O.T]

is it so unproper to post it?

he is afraid some low life might call the police... lol

[Teme]

Lukyanuk is so sure about the championship that he decided to throw away two leg points with those donuts?

[N.O.T]

Lukyanuk is so sure about the championship that he decided to throw away two leg points with those donuts?

who is going to take it from him ? the other contenders are not even capable of beating the useless village boys of each event....

[Essaj]

Lukyanuk is so sure about the championship that he decided to throw away two leg points with those donuts?

If Alexey is going to lose the championship it's going to be because of his mistakes. Those couple of points shouldn't make the difference.

[Jarek Z]

who is going to take it from him ?

Exactly. Magalhaes couldn't even defeat Lukyanuk on his "home ground". The Russian was literally making donuts nearly in front of Magalhaes' eyes.
And all the others play in the second league.

[Essaj]

Overall ERC(R5) in it's current form is pretty much pointless, which is a shame.
N.O.T's Village nobodies are the only ones who are going to be having a change against Lukyanuk who is going to take the whole cake piece by piece, unless he somehow manages to drop it on the ground (or focus in WRC2).
Most of the current hot under 28yo R5 drivers are currently driving in WRC2 and it leaves drivers like Loubet (if he does the whole ERC calendar, I haven't checked), Ingram who was surprisingly fast here (Does he even have a confirmation for whole season?), Griebel (who is really struggling with the Peugeot), Koci who has driven mostly in Czech's championship to have a change for the title.
But all of them need to show their speed against Lukyanuk and the village nobodies to show that they have the speed to compete in WRC2.

Atleast ERC3 has something good going on for them. Opel factory team + village nobodies and other young talents trying to prove their pace in R2 which I think is better than WRC3 (not counting few of the JWRC drivers).

[RS]

Actually, take the Skoda works team out and WRC2 has been pretty weak so far this year. Maybe it will be different when the main European season starts.

I agree though that this year's ERC title is Luky's to lose. It will be more interesting to see how drivers like Ingram and Koci develop in U28. Ahlin and Yates started well in Azores but then faded a bit but it's quite a specific event so let's see..

[Fast Eddie WRC]

There hasnt been a big competition for the overall ERC Title since it was the IRC.

You cant blame Kajto for moving on and some other's that might fight Lukyanuk cant get the funding for a decent car or for the full season. Plus the lack of Manu entries is a real shame.

But as RS says its worthwhile to follow to see the Juniors develop.

[PLuto]

Well, actually it was quite a good time.. not a proper stage and all but I think she can actually cope with the car, just doesn't 'have the balls' for the proper stages (no pun intended)

You can see that later starting cars had advantage on second Grupo Marques stage.

[dimviii]

Great video!!!
Thanks for posting it.

wrcantabria always have very good videos.

[PLuto]

Overall ERC(R5) in it's current form is pretty much pointless, which is a shame.
N.O.T's Village nobodies are the only ones who are going to be having a change against Lukyanuk who is going to take the whole cake piece by piece, unless he somehow manages to drop it on the ground (or focus in WRC2).
Most of the current hot under 28yo R5 drivers are currently driving in WRC2 and it leaves drivers like Loubet (if he does the whole ERC calendar, I haven't checked), Ingram who was surprisingly fast here (Does he even have a confirmation for whole season?), Griebel (who is really struggling with the Peugeot), Koci who has driven mostly in Czech's championship to have a change for the title.
But all of them need to show their speed against Lukyanuk and the village nobodies to show that they have the speed to compete in WRC2.

Atleast ERC3 has something good going on for them. Opel factory team + village nobodies and other young talents trying to prove their pace in R2 which I think is better than WRC3 (not counting few of the JWRC drivers).

Sorry, but you are out of reality. Most of the current hot unedr 28yo R5 drivers are driving in WRC2? Who do you mean? Factory drivers of Skoda or Ford? De Mevius, who was 14 mins behind Kopecky? Andolfi, who didnt do anything well in last years and ERC should suit him more, same like Pieniazek? You can see Avcioglu and Ptaszek on Azores - they understimate level of ERC, they have always focus on WRC2. And in reality, both didnt know basic rules and missed time control... I think that drivers like Ahlin, Koci, Ingram and others in U28 are really good drivers on the very high level. And if they do WRC2, they will be on high positions too. We will see Loubet, he should start in both ERC and WRC2 and will see where he will have bigge chance to better result.

[PLuto]

Actually, take the Skoda works team out and WRC2 has been pretty weak so far this year. Maybe it will be different when the main European season starts.

I agree though that this year's ERC title is Luky's to lose. It will be more interesting to see how drivers like Ingram and Koci develop in U28. Ahlin and Yates started well in Azores but then faded a bit but it's quite a specific event so let's see..

I should point that stages in second leg of Azores has different character than stages in first day. Also, later on Friday and on Saturdays stages there was more fog.

[Lehus]

Can anyone tell me please what Luky said when he saw the cows?

https://www.facebook.com/lukyanuk/videos/968649396627642/

It is quite typical russian expression being 50% polite, just because one of the words from the phrase is missing. to be exact, he said "your mother". what is the missing word you may try to guess :)

[dimviii]

It is quite typical russian expression being 50% polite, just because one of the words from the phrase is missing. to be exact, he said "your mother". what is the missing word you may try to guess :)

haha congrats btw!

[N.O.T]

It is quite typical russian expression being 50% polite, just because one of the words from the phrase is missing. to be exact, he said "your mother". what is the missing word you may try to guess :)

we have exactly the same expression with our orthodox brothers then... we also use the light and the heavy version.

[Luis Pacheco]

Clarification of the organization about Botka´s acident.

http://www.azoresrallye.com/noticias/important-note-clarification-on-the-accident-of-david-botka/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Chris Ingram Azores video compilation:
https://youtu.be/5FdgoppJjiI

[Mirek]

It is quite typical russian expression being 50% polite, just because one of the words from the phrase is missing. to be exact, he said "your mother". what is the missing word you may try to guess :)

Congratulations!

[RS]

Chris Ingram Azores video compilation:
https://youtu.be/5FdgoppJjiI

Ingram's performance was all the more impressive as, I think, he was the only one actually making his R5 debut on Azores (apart from maybe Pellier?)

[PLuto]

Ingram's performance was all the more impressive as, I think, he was the only one actually making his R5 debut on Azores (apart from maybe Pellier?)

You mean R5 debut in his career or first start with R5 on Azores? Because there were lot of drivers starting for first time on Azores...

[PLuto]

If you are interested, there are nice Eurosport videos from Azores - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBbRtg2Eds0&list=PLkw5cEy9y-snNdsQKqzYaJOvtSM0J8qEq

[RS]

You mean R5 debut in his career or first start with R5 on Azores? Because there were lot of drivers starting for first time on Azores...

The former.

[Lehus]

Congratulations!
Thank you, guys!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

A bit of praise for Freddie Ahlin... it was his first Azores visit AND he was on DMacks who had never run their tyres there either.

He did pretty well considering he said his driving was very steady and he was also conservative with his tyre choices.

BTW he has confirmed he will miss some events (Greece & Cyprus) in 2018, but pans to do the full season in 2019.

[Antreas]

Not full programme for Åhlin??

[RS]

Greece and Cyprus are not JERC rounds so no problem to miss those.

[PLuto]

But original plan was to do all events, he didnt know about U28 :)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Not full programme for Åhlin??

Not according to Matt Kew - staff writer for Auto Classics, also covers racing and rallying for Autosport and Motorsport News.

[dimviii]

nice clip with Ingram
https://twitter.com/ChrisIngramGB/status/980077225620930565