Rally Fafe Montelongo 2020

[Andre Oliveira]

https://rallyfafemontelongo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Asset-6@3x-1500x795.png

[Andre Oliveira]

Interest that will not count to Portuguese national championship. Hope some teams use it to test to Rally Vidreiro.

About entries:

José Paula / Valter Cardoso - Peugeot 208 T16

[Jarek Z]

Miko Marczyk (Skoda Fabia R5) has confirmed his presence today.

[Andre Oliveira]

Sergio Cuesta and Jandrin will upgrade to Ford Fiesta Rally4

Will start in Rallye National de la Drome (France) to prepare Fafe.

[Jarek Z]

According to this article Oliver Solberg is confirmed:
https://dirtfish.com/rally/erc/solberg-plans-to-complete-erc-season-in-pursuit-of-title/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Breen/Nagle (MRF) are doing the full ERC so will be here.

[Andre Oliveira]

Maps: https://rallyfafemontelongo.com/maps/

Timetable: https://www.ewrc-results.com/timetable/63180-rally-fafe-montelongo-2020/

[Andre Oliveira]

2 years after, and after many months of recover and few races on Escort MK1, Carlos Vieira (portuguese champion of 2017) is back like course car with Sports&You C3 R5.

[Andre Oliveira]

Surhayen Pernia / Eduardo Gonzalez
Francisco Lopez / Borja Odriozola

Both in Hyundai i20 R5

[pucky54]

Any Portuguese teams intend to test for their next CPR round?

[Francis44]

Any Portuguese teams intend to test for their next CPR round?

Highly unlikely unfortunately. The next CPR round is the weekend exactly after, so I doubt they would risk any damage to the cars. I know Magalhães and Armindo have two cars for the championship so there is some chance to see them in the entrylist.

[Andre Oliveira]

João Barros / Jorge Henriques in Citroën C3 R5

[Andre Oliveira]

https://scontent.flis8-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/120102010_3848142058548526_2285276032636761399_o.j pg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_sid=ca434c&efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&_nc_ohc=0hK0DMKvh9QAX82kRpH&_nc_ht=scontent.flis8-2.fna&tp=14&oh=a13041a65675e1b8b4d163ad06f55c5f&oe=5F8F0F3E

[Andre Oliveira]

Callum Devine / Brian Hoy in i20 R5

[PLuto]

Callum Devine / Brian Hoy in i20 R5

Wrong. And mistakes also in the list above. Better not to do this "rumour entry lists"...

[Andre Oliveira]

Not rumour. Demoporto published the names up.

[Andre Oliveira]

From organizer

“

Garantido plantel de luxo em Fafe
na estreia do Europeu no Minho

As principais estrelas do campeonato já formalizaram a sua inscrição, como Lukyanuk, Solberg, Breen, Munster e Lindholm, entre vários outros


Já começou a contagem decrescente para o Rally Fafe Montelongo (2/4 outubro), terceira prova do FIA ERC (European Rally Championship) e a pouco mais de uma semana do arranque pode já dizer-se que está garantida a participação de um plantel de luxo. Os três primeiros classificados do Europeu, Alexey Lukianuk (Citroen C3), Oliver Solberg (VW Polo GTI) e Craig Breen (Hyundai i20) figuram entre os inscritos, aos quais se juntam outros nomes de primeiro plano do Europeu da presente temporada, como Gregoire Munster (Hyundai i20), Emil Lindholm (Skoda Fabia) ou espanhol Efren Llarena (Citroen C3).

A Miko Marczyk (Skoda Fabia) e Dominique Dinkel (Skoda Fabia), outros dos animadores do campeonato, haverá que acrescentar ainda o francês Yoann Bonato (Citroen C3), recente vencedor do Rali Mont Blanc, do Campeonato de França, que é um reconhecido especialista em provas de asfalto e promete ser um dos candidatos à discussão dos primeiros lugares . Ainda por fechar, a lista de inscritos deverá somar quase quatro dezenas de equipas, a maioria estrangeiras.

Entre os pilotos portugueses, o destaque vai para João Barros (Citroen C3), que terá oportunidade de medir forças com os pilotos do segundo campeonato mais importante da FIA nas classificativas de asfalto da região de Fafe e de Vieira do Minho.

Na estreia da região do Minho (Fafe e Vieira do Minho) no Europeu de Ralis, esta edição do “Fafe Montelongo”, organizada pelo Demoporto, será ainda pontuável no Campeonato Norte de Ralis e no Campeonato de Portugal de Clássicos de Ralis.

“

[pantealex]

Wrong.

Callum Devine confirmed his entry in his own Twitter ...

I trust you PLuto but I still believe he knows what he is doing

[PLuto]

Callum Devine confirmed his entry in his own Twitter ...

I trust you PLuto but I still believe he knows what he is doing

I didnt told that all info is completely wrong ;)

[Andre Oliveira]

Mário Castro / Ricardo Cunha in Ford Fiesta R2T

Mário is one the best (for me the best) portuguese codriver!

[Andre Oliveira]

Zelindo Melegari in Alpine A110

[Andre Oliveira]

Tibor Erdi in Evo X

[Jarek Z]

Zelindo Melegari in Alpine A110

It will be the first appearance of Alpine A110 RGT on international roads:
https://www.fiaerc.com/chazel-technologie-course-brings-all-new-alpin-a110-rgt-to-the-erc-with-melegari/

[Andre Oliveira]

Sergio Fuentes / Alain Peña in 208 Rally4

[Andre Oliveira]

Rumors about cancellation of this rally too.

Organizores asking to people DON´T go. Service Park, start and finish of stages closed to public.

[Andre Oliveira]

Aloísio Monteiro in Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo

[PLuto]

Rumors about cancellation of this rally too.

It is rumours from local journalists who doesnt like rally. Everything is going according to plans. Some teams are on the way to Portugal.

[Luis Pacheco]

The health authority may at any time lead to the cancellation, but I hope not.

Everything depends on the region epidemiological evolution.

[PLuto]

The health authority may at any time lead to the cancellation, but I hope not.

Everything depends on the region epidemiological evolution.

Of course, that is the biggest problem now. Local health authorities and government has now (everywhere) big power to make changes during few minutes and cancel the events also when they are running. Crazy times...

[Andre Oliveira]

Entry list is out: https://www.ewrc-results.com/entries/63180-rally-fafe-montelongo-2020/

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EixrpP-WkAIvx7S?format=jpg&name=large

[PLuto]

In more practical PDF version here - https://rallyfafemontelongo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Competitors-LIST-FIA-ERC.pdf

[pantealex]

In more practical PDF version here - https://rallyfafemontelongo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Competitors-LIST-FIA-ERC.pdf

I like EWRC version because you can "sort" entries. (How many ERC1J or how many ERC3 drivers)

[PLuto]

I like EWRC version because you can "sort" entries. (How many ERC1J or how many ERC3 drivers)

I dont like it, but that is different story ;)

[PLuto]

Guide through stages by Mario Castro. Unfortunatelly only in portugese - https://rallyfafemontelongo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Classificativas-by-Ma%CC%81rio-Castro.pdf

[Jarek Z]

Good entry list, but... almost nobody from Portugal???

[Rally Power]

Good entry list, but... almost nobody from Portugal???

It was already told several times: Montelongo was a last minute entry on the ERC calendar but was never part of the national series (CPR) and it was impossible to include it as one week later there's a CPR event (Rali Vidreiro), already rescheduled after the lockdown.

With limited time (and budget), only a few national crews are able to run Montelongo but next year we'll hopefully have a larger and stronger national field as the event is expected to be replaced by the usual Rali Serras de Fafe, the CPR round run on Fafe iconic gravel roads.

[Andre Oliveira]

Good entry list, but... almost nobody from Portugal???

Like Rally Power said, too close to Vidreiro. But will have a second entry list to Portugal Classic Championship and third one to Regional North, will be out in September 29th.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

As it's new rally to most of us...

Preview: https://www.fiaerc.com/erc-event-preview-rally-fafe-montelongo/

Facts: https://www.fiaerc.com/erc-rally-fafe-montelongo-facts-and-stats/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Test info on Devine with help from Sordo:

https://rallyfafemontelongo.com/2020/09/27/irlandeses-ja-testaram-em-fafe-e-um-deles-ate-teve-a-ajuda-de-sordo/

Video: https://youtu.be/MgPMKhYSf_Y

[Fast Eddie WRC]

O.Solberg test:
https://youtu.be/A3qHrcuNEoc

Test roads are quite dusty and dirt is being pulled on with cuts. The weather forecast is wet for the end of the week so the stages could get pretty messy.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Breen Q & A:

https://www.fiaerc.com/erc-qa-craig-breen/

Rain is forecast for the weekend. How difficult can that make a Tarmac rally ?

“I haven’t really done so much with the tyre in the wet and that’s something we’ll need to work on. It will be interesting to try the tyre in those conditions and see where we are. It looks like the asphalt is quite grippy so I’m hoping even with the rain it won’t be so bad. But the weather changes so much so let’s wait closer to the event to see what we’re going to do.”

The starting order will be based on championship positions for leg one. How important will road position be if it rains ?

“You’ll have some places where you can take some cuts and maybe you can have some pollution on the road running a bit further back. But I don’t think it makes a massive difference unless you have big rain and lots of places where you get mud on the road. I don’t think it should be a huge problem.”

[Rally Power]

Guide through stages by Mario Castro. Unfortunatelly only in portugese - https://rallyfafemontelongo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Classificativas-by-Ma%CC%81rio-Castro.pdf

The main aspect pointed by Castro is Montelongo stages diversity, as they can change from fast to slow, narrow to large or flat to slope in a few kms. I would add they’re a Corsica and Northern Ireland mix, being totally addictive to drive (with SS2 and 12 at the top).

Btw, weather forecast is giving no or only light rain for both days but storm Alex impact, expected for tonight and tomorrow, could still be felt on Saturday.

Top crew’s tests can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rally+montelongo+2020+test

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Test day for Breen, Lukyanuk, Lindholm, Munster, Cais, Llarena, Herczig, Griebel :

https://youtu.be/hSxjoFae8us

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Some got the road watered for their test as rain is forecast ?

https://scontent.flhr3-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/120561168_142243744257264_1714805441513362260_o.jp g?_nc_cat=102&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=7hG5VhMnEZEAX9BQgzr&_nc_ht=scontent.flhr3-2.fna&oh=0a6e22902ed70b00bc5309af99e1a3ee&oe=5F9A2A0C

[Andre Oliveira]

Yes

[Fast Eddie WRC]

@AlexeyLukyanuk

The rally Fafe is new for all fast guys - no one has driven here before. We have only 60 competitive km’s . A bit of a strange novelty from the ERC, a kind of «ground-hog day» with a large number of service breaks and liaisons.There are many short SS that need to be driven 3 times !

[Sulland]

Could the Alpine be a surprize in this rally, can it match the Rally2 cars?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Could the Alpine be a surprize in this rally, can it match the Rally2 cars?

I'm not sure of the Alpine's performance. But it's unlikely to be a match for the Rally2's here as the forecast is to be partially wet, and with the cuts, quite dirty.

[Jarek Z]

Could the Alpine be a surprize in this rally, can it match the Rally2 cars?

No, because the driver is too slow. I hope that he doesn't ruin the reputation of this car at the start of its international competition.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Yes. Solberg was the first to asked if it is posible, and many others follow.

Btw, i'm in that photo :)

Spot-on !

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EjCb0fUWoAQXAaE?format=png&name=small

https://rallyfafemontelongo.com/2020/09/29/oliver-solberg-quis-testar-com-muita-agua-e-pediu-ajuda-aos-bombeiros-de-fafe/

[Jarek Z]

New livery for Alpine:
https://www.automobilsport.com/uploads/_neustart36/rally-international/03-Zelindo-Melegari-car-livery.jpg

[Jarek Z]

It is ready to go:
https://scontent-ams4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/120466256_3597412250315430_8008293180767058959_n.j pg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=bqDWcl7mmC8AX-Fx-g-&_nc_ht=scontent-ams4-1.xx&oh=8afc39b6cc8ca87d2a03f1ad18f19afb&oe=5F9D786D

[Fast Eddie WRC]

i20 R5's of the Irishmen Devine & Duffy:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EjQmHbPWoAA7yQl?format=jpg&name=large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I wonder how the MRF asphalt tyres for wet conditions will compare ?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EjPDg2HX0AMANYE?format=jpg&name=medium

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EjPC87eWkAAUIgz?format=jpg&name=medium

[Fast Eddie WRC]

FIAERC:
With the compact event format requirement from 2020 not allowing enough time for the traditional Qualifying Stage, the 3.30-kilometre shakedown run will provide the early form guide ahead of the rally proper getting underway on Saturday morning when the start order will follow championship positions.

[MartijnS]

Solberg crashed.

[rage82]

Some pictures from the crash from Twitter:
https://mobile.twitter.com/RubnPerez/status/1312069854959202310

Sent from my Redmi Note 5 using Tapatalk

[Fast Eddie WRC]

@OliverSolberg01

Not the start to Rally Fafe Montelongo that we wanted...

Me and Aaron are okay, but I didn't want to give my team this much work overnight! I know they'll be flat out to try anything possible to get us repaired to start the rally tomorrow !

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Solberg's roll-cage has been given the OK by the FIA.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

It was an MRF 1-2 on Shakedown:

1 Lindholm (Škoda) 1m57.250s
2 Breen (Hyundai) +0.277s
3 Lukyanuk (Citroën) +1.965s
4 Marczyk (Škoda) +2.446s
5 Ares (Hyundai) +3.207s
6 Dinkel (Škoda) +3.529s
7 Solberg (Volkswagen) +3.682s
8 Bonato (Citroën) +4.450s
9 Cais (Ford) +4.632s
10 Herczig (Volkswagen) +5.194s

[dimviii]

Solbergs polo ready
https://twitter.com/FIAERC/status/1312298142436593664

[Sulland]

How is the weather outlook?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Outlook is dry for today on my weather app.

Most top guys gone on wet tyres for the first loop.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Road condtions for the later cars isnt good...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EjZPZsHWAAMI2yo?format=jpg&name=medium

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Non-ERC registered Yohann Bonato climbs up to 3rd o/a after a mistake by Emil Lindholm on SS2.

And Lindholm has now crashed out on SS3.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EjZXuCUWoAMaRC5?format=jpg&name=large

[tommeke_B]

Road condtions for the later cars isnt good...


Ares 4th, Bonato 5th, Herczig is also very competitive, can't be that bad... ;)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ares 4th, Bonato 5th, Herczig is also very competitive, can't be that bad... ;)

Maybe picked good tyres.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Lukyanuk given 10s penalty for a jump start on SS2.

EDIT
But that decision was then reversed when the crews arrived back in service, as three other drivers – Iván Ares, Surhayen Pernía and Guillaume De Mevius – were also reported to have triggered jump starts on the same stage. None were awarded penalties.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

SS4 Breen fastest - first ever ERC stage win for MRF.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EjZtx-5WAAMw5fl?format=jpg&name=small

[dimviii]

wtf?

Solberg Oliver - Johnston Aaron
"It is still too dry. I was hoping for more wet so not good."

Lukyanuk Alexey - Eremeev Dmitriy
"It's raining like hell in the stage!"


edit
Lukyanuk is on slick tyres and says it's too wet while Oliver Solberg is on wets and says it's too dry...


But at the end of the stage, the Russian is 7.6 quicker!
#FIAERC #RallyFafeMontelongo

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Tyre choice is a Monte-style lottery !

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Solberg dropping places after going with rain tyres.

[Jarek Z]

Could the Alpine be a surprize in this rally, can it match the Rally2 cars?

No. Melegari was even slower than R2 cars, went off the road on SS6 and is out of the rally.

[Jarek Z]

According to the drivers it is raining heavily on SS7 and they are on slicks.
https://twitter.com/FIAERC/status/1312409163981611014

[Jarek Z]

Alpine A110 R-GT in action before it went off:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISaLDzEtgDo

[m-ast]

Great performance by Ares, really surprises me as this year he hasn’t been on the battle in the national championship events

[Jarek Z]

@OliverSolberg01

Not the start to Rally Fafe Montelongo that we wanted...

Me and Aaron are okay, but I didn't want to give my team this much work overnight! I know they'll be flat out to try anything possible to get us repaired to start the rally tomorrow !

Solberg's shakedown crash in a video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeR3Oab1dXw

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Late drama - Breen lost a wheel and Solberg with engine trouble.

Ares up to 2nd.

[RS]

Solberg's shakedown crash in a video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeR3Oab1dXw

Quite a lot of damage for what seemed like quite a slow crash.

[tommeke_B]

https://www.facebook.com/FiaEuropeanRallyChampionship/videos/632483737445191

Onboard with Grégoire Munster. Lucky moment a bit after 4min20.

[RS]

Breen crashed on oil: https://twitter.com/Craig_Breen/status/1312436439750070273?s=19

[Jarek Z]

It seems that somehow Solberg managed to finish first leg in the 31st position:
https://twitter.com/FIAERC/status/1312455583316938752

[RS]

Solberg onboard SS2: https://youtu.be/hUiEVvSRyoY

Very intense stage, hard work for the co-driver!

[cosmin_sb]

Llarena didn't start in the second day

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Luky just managing the gap today to take the win.

Solberg & Breen using it as a test day.

[dimviii]

De Mevius
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EjenFsRX0AEyArR?format=jpg&name=large

[dimviii]

Breen losing the rear wheel
https://twitter.com/FIAERC/status/1312695812976246786

[dimviii]

Llarena didn't start in the second day

However, a fault was discovered on his Citroën C3 R5’s exhaust manifold during service last night. Without insufficient time to make repairs, Llarena and co-driver Sara Fernández were retired from the event.

https://www.fiaerc.com/no-sunday-action-for-out-of-luck-erc-junior-llarena/

[tommeke_B]

Breen losing the rear wheel
https://twitter.com/FIAERC/status/1312695812976246786
I'm having trouble to find the link between his tweet telling he crashed due to the oil on the road, and this video.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I'm having trouble to find the link between his tweet telling he crashed due to the oil on the road, and this video.

Probably there was oil in a few places and the oil he pictured was elsewhere.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eja16eGWoAACJQk?format=jpg&name=small



@MRF_Racing
A little bit of oil on the road, a slight tap on the barrier...and our podium chance disappears. The highs and lows of rallying.
Still we will fight! A great run from Team #MRFTyres this weekend.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

@FIAERC - Ivan Ares flying through SS15. 4.8 quicker than Bonato and 14.1 faster than Lukyanuk ! The Russian's lead is now down to 20.3 seconds, with 3 stages to go !

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great day one video in HD & pure sound. Excellent quality and real variety of cars incl many classics.

https://youtu.be/po3Gxc0M8aA

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EjfQXsRWAAI8HI6?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

[Mirek]

Let's go live! Big drama ahead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZM7wFq7ZQc

[cosmin_sb]

4,7s between first three drivers and one speciale stage to do

[TWRC]

First 3 within 5 seconds, sholud be good! Luky dropped 24s on last stage, what happened?

[Jarek Z]

Yoann Bonato and Ivan Ares just 4 seconds behind Lukyanuk's back! Live broadcast from the last stage starts soon at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZM7wFq7ZQc

[Mirek]

So a spin for Lukyanuk and now for Pernia in live.

[Mirek]

Rain starting...

[TWRC]

Bonato brushed a guardrail with rear left

[cosmin_sb]

Bonato very large in a right corner

[Jarek Z]

Bonato very large in a right corner

Or maybe very wide? ;)

[TWRC]

Luky same time as Ares and wins, Bonato manages to stay 2nd by 0.1 :D

[Mirek]

And Bonato keeping the second place by 0,1 second...

Fantastic finish of the rally!

[dimviii]

nice rally,congrats to Luky!!

[Jarek Z]

Congratulations to Lukyanuk (but he made another mistake again that could cost him the win).

[Mirek]

... and Solberg 4 seconds faster on the stage than all figthing for the victory...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Wow I literally go away for 5 mins and Luky has a spin. He never does it the easy way !

So glad he held on for a well-deserved win. Hope he can get the sponsors to continue.

[Jarek Z]

Hope he can get the sponsors to continue.

Me too. I sometimes think that Lukyanuk makes better publicity for Citroen than Ostberg.

[dimviii]

https://youtu.be/FzJym935hoQ

[dimviii]

Congratulations to Lukyanuk (but he made another mistake again that could cost him the win).

he had a problem with handbrake.

https://dirtfish.com/rally/erc/lukyanuk-survives-late-spin-to-win-rally-fafe-montelongo/

[dimviii]

... and Solberg 4 seconds faster on the stage than all figthing for the victory...

yes he is surprising fast at asphalt straight away.Just remember Rovanpera at his first asphalt rallies.

[Rally Power]

Hats off to Fafe, the ERC and all those involved for providing this fantastic rally on a short time and on such a difficult period. Honestly, I was a bit worried on possible spectator restrictions due to the pandemic, but from the shakedown it came clear that the main focus of the organizers was to prevent large or unsafe gatherings, which was achieved.

Even with the internet, being on the stages makes one a bit lost of what’s going on but from the start it was possible to notice that Luky, Solberg and Breen were standing out from the rest; the last 2 were pushing like hell (gutted for their issues) while Luky surprisingly looked as if he still had an extra margin to explore (which he probably wasn’t using on his late spin); big congrats to him, his codriver and Saintéloc.

Behind those 3 many others showed a nice pace, despite the tricky conditions; some were able to make it appear on the crono (Bonato, Ares, Llarena or Munster), while others sadly not (Hecrzig, Marczyk, Dinkel or Cais and even Melnhof on a few occasions; btw, on tarmac the MkII Fiesta looks and sounds impressive).

On ERC3 case it was impossible to avoid noticing that Bassas and Torn were on an epic duel, with some amazing ‘moments’; huge congrats to them, despite the regret of not having Antunes present on another ERC3 battle (hope it will happen often next year, starting on Rali Serras de Fafe!).

P.S.: on the Alpine I just wish to say that the car is gorgeous, no matter the pace; thanks for bringing it to Fafe, Mr. Melegari!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Me too. I sometimes think that Lukyanuk makes better publicity for Citroen than Ostberg.

Not just Citroen but the ERC itself.

It would be a tragedy if he couldnt continue and fight to regain the title.

[Jarek Z]

ERC standings after Fafe look good for Alexey:
https://www.fiaerc.com/standings/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

ERC standings after Fafe look good for Alexey:
https://www.fiaerc.com/standings/

Lukyanuk may be able to wait and see what the others can score in the next round(s) and decide if he even needs to enter another rally.

And Solberg may be happy just to confirm a win in ERC1 Junior and take the €100k.

[PLuto]

Hats off to Fafe, the ERC and all those involved for providing this fantastic rally on a short time and on such a difficult period. Honestly, I was a bit worried on possible spectator restrictions due to the pandemic, but from the shakedown it came clear that the main focus of the organizers was to prevent large or unsafe gatherings, which was achieved.

Even with the internet, being on the stages makes one a bit lost of what’s going on but from the start it was possible to notice that Luky, Solberg and Breen were standing out from the rest; the last 2 were pushing like hell (gutted for their issues) while Luky surprisingly looked as if he still had an extra margin to explore (which he probably wasn’t using on his late spin); big congrats to him, his codriver and Saintéloc.

Behind those 3 many others showed a nice pace, despite the tricky conditions; some were able to make it appear on the crono (Bonato, Ares, Llarena or Munster), while others sadly not (Hecrzig, Marczyk, Dinkel or Cais and even Melnhof on a few occasions; btw, on tarmac the MkII Fiesta looks and sounds impressive).

On ERC3 case it was impossible to avoid noticing that Bassas and Torn were on an epic duel, with some amazing ‘moments’; huge congrats to them, despite the regret of not having Antunes present on another ERC3 battle (hope it will happen often next year, starting on Rali Serras de Fafe!).

P.S.: on the Alpine I just wish to say that the car is gorgeous, no matter the pace; thanks for bringing it to Fafe, Mr. Melegari!

I think Lukyanuk, Solberg and Breen had big advantage in the first leg with their starting position. Who knows what should be the situation with qualifying which should allow Bonato and Ares (and some others) to start earlier in the field. I think you have also forgotten to Emil Lindholm, who was surprisingly fast (but unfortunatelly crashed very early).

[PLuto]

To summarize the event from my side, I must say that I am happy with the event and how all things happened. In fact organisers had only 4 weeks to manage the event on so big level and result was really great. Of course there are things to improve, but this is on every rally. Stages were very interesting, with changing its characted from narrow bumpy roads to wide smooth roads good for hillclimb races. And of course weather helped a lot. One of the negatives for me was cancellation of qualifying, with this changeable weather conditions and also more gravel on stages, starting order was important. What will happen if Bonato and Ares (and maybe others) should start first day on better starting position? But there were really great fights for most of positions, everybody enjoyed it a lot. And I was happy when I have heard from some competitors that it is better than WRC3... (of course they were talking about general feeling)

[Rally Power]

I think Lukyanuk, Solberg and Breen had big advantage in the first leg with their starting position. Who knows what should be the situation with qualifying which should allow Bonato and Ares (and some others) to start earlier in the field.

There was no real advantage for the first crews as earlier stages were wetter for them, due to previous night rain. Anyway, with so many cars 'polluting' the stages, first crews advantage would only exist on the first loop, never on the entire leg.



I think you have also forgotten to Emil Lindholm, who was surprisingly fast (but unfortunatelly crashed very early).

You're rigth: Lindholm was flying in the SD, but sadly he only run SS1 without problems (touch on 2, crash on 3).

[PLuto]

There was no real advantage for the first crews as earlier stages were wetter for them, due to previous night rain. Anyway, with so many cars 'polluting' the stages, first crews advantage would only exist on the first loop, never on the entire leg.

I dont agree with you. And crews dont agree also. With variable and changeable weather, starting order was crucial. Especially this year when weather was really changing. Also there was more gravel on stages on some places.

[Rally Power]

I dont agree with you. And crews dont agree also. With variable and changeable weather, starting order was crucial. Especially this year when weather was really changing. Also there was more gravel on stages on some places.

Sorry, but during last weekend showers fell randomly, affecting all crews here and there. Besides, after 40 ERC cars and 15 Historics (plus 50 Regionals on the second loop), gravel was around for everyone.

Btw, looked closely into SS’s times and was nicely surprised to see that Ares and Bonato were leveled with Breen and Solberg almost from the start; only Luky was slightly ahead, which cannot be strange for those who saw him (and his perfectly tuned C3) on the stages.

[Tom K]

So, another mistake for Hyundai. Ivan Ares' car had wrong door energy absorbing device - foams. Ares and Vazquez are given reprimand. Stewards decided that Hyundai is responsible. 60k Euro penalty, half of which is suspended until end of ERC 2021 season.