Rally Islas Canarias (Gran Canaria) 2.022

[106 sport]

https://www.rallyislascanarias.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/203-revealed-a-route-full-of-changes-for-the-46th-edition-of-the-rally-islas-canarias

https://www.rallyislascanarias.com/index.php/en/entrants/itineray

Revealed a route full of changes for the 46th edition of the Rally Islas Canarias.

Revealed a route full of changes for the 46th edition of the Rally Islas Canarias
Launching the new stage of the FIA ​​European Rally Championship with WRC Promoter at the helm, the Organizing Committee of the most important event in Canary Islands has redesigned its itinerary with new stages and a scheme that is equally demanding for the teams and spectacular for the fans and for television, which, through the WRC+ platform, will broadcast the entire route live.

After the Rally Serras de Fafe e Felgueiras and the Rally Azores, the first and second round of the FIA ​​European Rally Championship, it is the turn of the Rally Islas Canarias. Scheduled for May 12, 13 and 14, its official website has published the route of the 46th edition and has done so with important news.

To begin with, the Qualifying Stage, the qualifying section that will determine the starting order of the first stage and which will then host the shakedown, will be held in San Mateo over a 3,89 km. This 'QS' will start after free practice is held around three in the afternoon.

But the most substantial change will take place on the afternoon of that Thursday, May 12. And it is that from 20:35 hours the Rally Islas Canarias will officially start with the celebration of a city super special stage called 'Las Palmas de Gran Canaria-DISA' and that in this edition changes the stage compared to what has been the usual in recent years. The celebration of this special will therefore replace the start ceremony.

On May 13, it will return to the usual pattern with two stages with important sections in terms of mileage. The first of them will once again be 'Valsequillo' in its version from last year with a route of 11.91 km. Then, in the two sections on Friday, it will be the turn of 'Santa Lucía' (14.82 km) and 'Tejeda' (20.78 km).

On Saturday, May 14, the teams will first tackle the longest stage of the entire rally, 'Moya-Valleseco', 27.42 km, after which they must complete –also a double pass– 'Arucas' (9 .3 km) and 'San Mateo' (12.04 km) with which this 46th edition will come to an end. All the stages will be broadcast live through the WRC+ platform provided by the new promoter of the championship, WRC Promoter.

As in recent years, the Estadio de Gran Canaria will be the base of operations for the teams, whose assistance will be deployed on the esplanade attached to this sports venue.

[106 sport]

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr1BNbxkMQ6pSt5NVC9_hgQ

Videos of the stages are aviables on Youtube.


Some interesting changes on the itenerary.

SS1, close to Stadium of Gran Canaria (UD Las Palmas) and Gran Canaria Arena (CB Gran Canaria), will be amazing at night.

[106 sport]

New logo.

On the way to its fiftieth anniversary, the Rally Islas Canarias completely renews its image. And is that coinciding with the new stage that has begun this season the FIA European Rally with WRC Promoter as promoter taking the baton from Eurosport Events, this motor racing event premieres a new official logo.

The last time the Rally Islas Canarias renewed its 'badge' was in the 2014 edition and still with the surname 'El Corte Inglés'. Eight years later, this official emblem tries to reflect those almost fifty years of history that already accumulates and, at the same time, adapt to a new era of the championship that returns to be scoring one more season.

Specifically, the Rally Islas Canarias is the third meeting of the FIA ERC after the Rally Serras de Fafe e Felgueiras and the Rally Azores, two tests won by two Spanish teams. Nil Solans and Marc Martí won the first event in Portuguese territory and, in the following one, Efrén Llarena and Sara Fernández did the same, although the continental competition will reach the first event on asphalt with the Portuguese Armindo Araujo leading the provisional drivers' standings.

[106 sport]

Araújo will try to defend his lead in Gran Canaria.

https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/desporto/armindo-araujo-e-lider-do-nacional-de-ralis-e-do-europeu_v1396054

https://www.motoradiario.com/rallyes/item/8943-araujo-intentara-defender-su-liderato-en-el-islas-canarias#.Yksy9-ufvp0.facebook

Araújo admits that there is a motivation in his team to try to carry out another round of the continental competition, and that for this he has the approval of Škoda and Michelin, but for a move of this calibre he will need the support of all his sponsors, with whom he has already sat down to negotiate a possible extension of the European project. One of the big handicaps to carry out the participation in the 'Islas Canarias', is that the following week of the Gran Canaria event, the WRC Rally of Portugal is held, an event that is also valid for the Portuguese national championship, and in which Araújo must be there.

The six-time national champion is facing a complex logistical puzzle, as he needs to double the logistics of The Racing Factory team, as for the Canary Islands event he would need a different vehicle to his usual one, with tarmac specifications, while for the world championship event in Portugal, he would need the unit he has been using until now, with the same settings for gravel, in addition to the fact that the usual reconnaissance vehicle would also remain on the continent.

To move all this logistics that makes him be in conditions in the Rally Islas Canarias, it is clear that Araújo needs a budget plus which did not have at the beginning of the season, requiring an extra effort from its main sponsors, but it is also true that for him it is almost the last cartridge to fight for an international championship if the Canary Islands trump card goes well, something that would give an important revenue to the fight for the overall title of the European Rally Championship.

[106 sport]

Due to this season, looks like there will not be a TOP driver like Lukyanuk, Mikkelsen or Gryazin doing ERC. I think that, talent tarmac drivers, could begin their season in Gran Canaria thinking this year the championship is so "open."

[Jarek Z]

Ken Torn is going to be present in Rally Islas Canarias with Ford Fiesta Rally2.

source:
https://www.fiaerc.com/erc/news/erc/2022/march/torn-turns-on-the-speed-in-erc/

[106 sport]

Looks like G.Gryzb will be in Gran Canaria.

[Andre Oliveira]

Once again, ERC leader not present. Armindo Araújo annouced that can't race in Canarias.

[106 sport]

Once again, ERC leader not present. Armindo Araújo annouced that can't race in Canarias.

Ohh, it is a pity.

[RS]

Solans entered but struggling for budget:

https://www.fiaerc.com/erc/news/erc/2022/april/solans-battling-to-continue-erc-title-fight-in-canary-islands/

If he can't even get budget for his 'home' round, something is wrong.

[Jarek Z]

Solans entered but struggling for budget:

https://www.fiaerc.com/erc/news/erc/2022/april/solans-battling-to-continue-erc-title-fight-in-canary-islands/

If he can't even get budget for his 'home' round, something is wrong.

One thing that is wrong are Solans' results in the recent years. He had a budget for a full season in ERC last year and what did he achieve? 50 points and 7th place only. He couldn't even keep the pace of such unexperienced drivers like Marczyk, Llarena and Cais:
https://www.wrc.com//?proxy=redaktion/archive-pdf-erc/ERC-Standings-2021.pdf

Perhaps it's one of the reasons why he can't find budget now?

[Sal yet again]

The ecologists are after this rally as well now!

Just on the way back from Lanzarote after the Isla de Los Volcanes was cancelled (3rd round of the SCER) due to ecology lobbying and associated issues. Now its been reported they want the same for this rally. State of flux in the Canary Islands!

[Tom K]

They will be encouraged by Lanzarote case... I've just came back from Lanzarote trip. The rally-trip became vacation-trip also for me. And as I am aware of environmental issues, the Lanzarote case was outrageous. They were against 2x 30 cars passage but when I went to stage in most problematic part of the route, I've met buggies with tourist and guys on laudly motocross stuff...

[Andre Oliveira]

Entry list: https://www.ewrc-results.com/entries/73837-rally-islas-canarias-2022/

[PLuto]

Original version of entry list here - https://www.dropbox.com/s/kaxzxa4uflf4912/Entry%20list%20Islas%20Canarias%202022_ERC.pdf?dl= 0
national field - https://www.dropbox.com/s/p2z8mjdel5j48ba/Entry%20list%20Islas%20Canarias%202022_FCA.pdf?dl= 0

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Bonato in a Citroen C3 is a good addition here and could go close to a win.

[Jarek Z]

No drivers from Spanish championship :/

[PLuto]

No drivers from Spanish championship :/

Canarias is not part of spanish championship this year...

[Sal yet again]

No drivers from Spanish championship :/

Lanzarote should have been the third round of the S-CER which has made the situation that much worse!

[pucky54]

Lanzarote should have been the third round of the S-CER which has made the situation that much worse!

That worked out very well!!

[106 sport]

Canarias is not part of spanish championship this year...

First time since 40 years. Simply regrettable

In Gran Canaria, we have to say "thanks" to President of Spanish Federation, Mr Aviñó.

He has a personal issue with the organization, and for this reason, pulled out the rally from SCER.

"Highly professional"

[Sal yet again]

https://automovilismocanario.com/luis-vilarino-y-ahora-nos-vienen-con-que-el-rally-isla-de-los-volcanes-no-esta-cancelado-esta-aplazado-que-pretenden/

All's not well in the SCER going by this article.

[Co-driven]

First time since 40 years. Simply regrettable

In Gran Canaria, we have to say "thanks" to President of Spanish Federation, Mr Aviñó.

He has a personal issue with the organization, and for this reason, pulled out the rally from SCER.

"Highly professional"

Really?

From outside, he seems to be doing a good job...what are the problems there?

[106 sport]

Really?

From outside, he seems to be doing a good job...what are the problems there?

Since two years ago there is not "good feling" betwen rally´s organization and President of Spanish Federation.

This is the reason to pull out the second best rally in Spain from Spanish Campionship, Pathetic.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Nils Solans will participate in the Canary Islands Rally thanks to local sponsors.

https://motoraldia7.com/index.php/noticia/nils-solans-participara-en-el-rally-islas-canarias-gracias-a-patrocinadores-locales

[106 sport]

Tuesday tests

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeSw32s0-xw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70vX44j4N8

[106 sport]

Nils Solans will participate in the Canary Islands Rally thanks to local sponsors.

https://motoraldia7.com/index.php/noticia/nils-solans-participara-en-el-rally-islas-canarias-gracias-a-patrocinadores-locales

Good news.

Two companies from Gran Canaria, a Petrol station and a car dealer.

[dupanton]

I'm curious to see where the Alpines will finish. If the weather is good, they should be able to get a top 10.

Also looking forward to Pellier, who starts his prize drive after dominating the Opel E-cup last year (winning all rallies)

[106 sport]

I'm curious to see where the Alpines will finish. If the weather is good, they should be able to get a top 10.

Also looking forward to Pellier, who starts his prize drive after dominating the Opel E-cup last year (winning all rallies)

I think also that Alpines could get Top 10, and even more...

Tarmac roads of Gran Canaria are good for this cars, the same that Porsche.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Good news.

Two companies from Gran Canaria, a Petrol station and a car dealer.

Some of us fans also helped him with our crowdfunding...

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

[Sal yet again]

Said it last year however am going to repeat myself. Will be interesting to see how Enrique Cruz goes in the Fiesta as he is the only driver who seems to have had consistent success with the car and is on "home" soil. I know there have been various rumblings from other competitors in the Canary Islands over the last season or so about the team but think most of those hatchets have been buried.

[Jarek Z]

I'm curious to see where the Alpines will finish. If the weather is good, they should be able to get a top 10.

Yes, if Alpine was able to get into top 6 in France, even win on one occasion, so why not here? It will be interesting to see where both Alpines end up.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Today's PET video's

https://youtu.be/jMJU7Jm69qw
https://youtu.be/UTDaw9SrEfY
https://youtu.be/AeSw32s0-xw
https://youtu.be/jqeB_pKi7WM

[Got Mail]

Is there a live stream from Qualification Stage available?

It's not listed on the WRC/ERC All Live schedule.

[Sulland]

Is there a live stream from Qualification Stage available?

It's not listed on the WRC/ERC All Live schedule.

The only thing we get it timing, not sure how live
https://www.fiaerc.com/erc/wrcplus/live-timing/

Edit; Was it not 1315 for SD?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/erc/why-the-erc-title-favorite-has-it-easier-than-he-should/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Wagner fastest in FP...

https://m.rally-base.com/2022/rally-islas-canarias-2022/?ssId=6820&ssGroupId=3

[Tom K]

Official website of ERC has timing only with one decimal place... Ewrc and Rally-base both have three.

[rallyfiend]

I think official rally time is only valid to 1/10, so any other numbers are redundant anyway. So of course the official site wouldn't show otherwise.

Except on the PS which can be timed to 1/1000 in order to avoid a tie.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Monzón fastest by 0.5s on the QS

https://rally-base.com/2022/rally-islas-canarias-2022/?ssGroupId=2

[PLuto]

Is there a live stream from Qualification Stage available?

It's not listed on the WRC/ERC All Live schedule.

Promoter is not interested in free practice of qualifying stage...

[PLuto]

Official website of ERC has timing only with one decimal place... Ewrc and Rally-base both have three.

Qualifying stage is measured to tenths of seconds. Official website is wrong since beginning of season.

[PLuto]

It is very sad with Javier Cañada. He has brought brand new Opel Corsa Rally4. When he arrived to test, it was completely white car, also without plates. And he crashed with it heavily in fourth corner of shakedown...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Junior star Jon Armstrong crashed on the first corner of SS1 ! :(

[Sal yet again]

It is very sad with Javier Cañada. He has brought brand new Opel Corsa Rally4. When he arrived to test, it was completely white car, also without plates. And he crashed with it heavily in fourth corner of shakedown...

Sad as he did so well in his debut in Sports&You's Corsa in Lanzarote last year.

[Sal yet again]

Junior star Jon Armstrong crashed on the first corner of SS1 ! :(

Going to have to be a mighty drive to get anywhere from there.

[Jarek Z]

Llarena wins stage 2 and leads the rally. Not a bad start for MRF Tyres.

[dimviii]

Wagner crashed

[RS]

Llarena wins stage 2 and leads the rally. Not a bad start for MRF Tyres.

Overcooked tyres? Bit slow on SS3.

[dimviii]

Wagner fabia

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FSoh0OrWAAYg2tq?format=jpg&name=large

SS3 stopped

The stage has been red-flagged whilst Simon Wagner's car is moved into a safe position.



We'll bring you more updates as we have them.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Finally got ERC+ working and a red flag !

SS3 Cancelled.

Friday 13th jinx for me.

[106 sport]

Luís Monzón leading!!!

Driver of Gran Canaria is the first after 3 stages.

Remember he is 56 years old.

Amazing.

[Sal yet again]

Has made comments that maybe this will be his final season so would be great if he went out in style! Think he has got fed up of being beaten by Cruz in the Canary Islands..

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Luís Monzón leading!!!

Driver of Gran Canaria is the first after 3 stages.

Remember he is 56 years old.

Amazing.

Experience and local knowledge count !

[Jarek Z]

The level of competition doesn't seem very high if Monzon leads...

[Jarek Z]

I'm curious to see where the Alpines will finish. If the weather is good, they should be able to get a top 10.

Guigou is 7th overall after SS4 :)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Sound/pictures out of sync ?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great run by Solans ! :)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Jon Armstrong big crash...

https://m.facebook.com/MotorDirecto/videos/561747065335375/?refsrc=deprecated&ref=sharing&_rdr

[RS]

Sound/pictures out of sync ?

This happens a lot. Stopping it and starting again usually cures it.

[Walach]

Jon Armstrong big crash...

https://m.facebook.com/MotorDirecto/videos/561747065335375/?refsrc=deprecated&ref=sharing&_rdr

I think this is the very same corner where Kubica crashed back in 2013 and Jan Černý in 2017.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Another great time by Solans and he's up to 2nd o/a ahead of Bonato. :)

[RS]

Potential 4, maybe even 5 way battle for the win today. Was expecting a bit more performance from Solans in the Polo tbh.. Llarena doing well on MRFs which aren't usually their best on tarmac.

[Jarek Z]

I think this is the very same corner where Kubica crashed back in 2013 and Jan Černý in 2017.

Yes, it looks very similar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwl5rs-gdE4

[Jarek Z]

It's a shame about Wagner's accident, he is a good driver. I hoped for a top 3 finish for him. Today he rejoined the rally, but was only 8th on SS8.

[Jarek Z]

Simone Campedelli promised to give his all and push to the maximum:
https://www.fiaerc.com/erc/news/erc/2022/campedelli-promises-committed-approach-in-canaries/
... but he is only 11th after SS8. Another disappointing performance for this Italian driver.

[dupanton]

IN his defence, he had an off on SS6 losing 30sec, and now they changed the notional times on SS3 (after Wagner crash) based on that stage, so he lost twice.

[Jarek Z]

Potential 4, maybe even 5 way battle for the win today.

One candidate for the win down. Monzon pulled over 4.3km after the start and it looks like there could be a mechanical issue on his Škoda. Nil Solans leads the rally.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Shame for the local guy. :(

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Seems Monzon gave up after a puncture.

[Jarek Z]

Also looking forward to Pellier, who starts his prize drive after dominating the Opel E-cup last year (winning all rallies)

“That was a dream day for us, setting the fastest time on every stage" - Laurent Pellier :)

source:
https://twitter.com/FIAERC/status/1525219334284509184?cxt=HHwWgICwieq51aoqAAAA

[Jarek Z]

Campedelli is shocked that he managed to win one of the stages :)
https://twitter.com/FIAERC/status/1525172151199973377?cxt=HHwWgoC-2bT_v6oqAAAA

[Jarek Z]

IN his defence, he had an off on SS6 losing 30sec, and now they changed the notional times on SS3 (after Wagner crash) based on that stage, so he lost twice.

Or maybe that is the reason why Campedelli is so slow? ;)
https://www.fiaerc.com/?proxy=redaktion/ERC/2022-news/May/Canarias/campedelli-boot.png

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Cruz is going quite well in the only Fiesta in the battle.

[Jarek Z]

Nice livery on Battistoli's car:
https://www.fiaerc.com/?proxy=redaktion/ERC/2022-news/May/Canarias/120522_Battistolli_SS1.jpg

[wyler]

Or maybe that is the reason why Campedelli is so slow? ;)
https://www.fiaerc.com/?proxy=redaktion/ERC/2022-news/May/Canarias/campedelli-boot.png

just lose 10s in the last stage for this.

[dupanton]

Just a heads-up, ewrc results are not correct. Official site has the changed notional times of SS3 calculated.

Also, 4 different cars in the top 4 :)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Rally-Base is best for ERC...
https://rally-base.com/2022/rally-islas-canarias-2022/?ssId=6817&ssGroupId=1

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Lead increased for Solans after Llarena jumped Bonato into 2nd.

[Danny0405]

Win for Solans but clearly, the global level of the championship is not really high except the two Spaniards and some guest drivers.
Even if I understand why the Spanish Federation doesn’t fund him anymore, let’s hope Solans will find a way to make the rest of the season; else, it will be really boring because there is really nothing except the Solans-Llarena fight for the title (even if the Bonato-Llarena fight for 2nd was good).
But I’m a bit pessimistic considering how difficult it was to fund the Canarias outing.

One question in ERC-4 Junior, I’m surprised Fotia is not registered in Junior (only in ERC-4). Is it a Renault claim to avoid him to go to M-Sport if he has won? (As the prize for winning ERC-4 Junior is some drives in WRC-3 Junior with M-Sport as Franceschi did). Also considering Clio Rally3 will come next year.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great job by Solans after the struggle for funding and no testing. He deserves to be in the ERC and I hope he gets some more sponsorship after proving himself again. Mine and others donations helped here but it wont be enough long-term.

[dupanton]

One question in ERC-4 Junior, I’m surprised Fotia is not registered in Junior (only in ERC-4). Is it a Renault claim to avoid him to go to M-Sport if he has won? (As the prize for winning ERC-4 Junior is some drives in WRC-3 Junior with M-Sport as Franceschi did). Also considering Clio Rally3 will come next year.

Just looked into this and found out you have to drive with Pirelli tyres to be able to compete with the Juniors. Renault and Michelin have a strong partnership, that must be the reason.

[Andre Oliveira]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FSvncTVXoAE9Jhy?format=jpg&name=large

[dimviii]

Larena hot moment
https://twitter.com/fernischumi/status/1525575679173087243

[WRCStan]

Some great shouts here.


I'm curious to see where the Alpines will finish. If the weather is good, they should be able to get a top 10.

Also looking forward to Pellier, who starts his prize drive after dominating the Opel E-cup last year (winning all rallies)

One Alpine in 7th and Pellier wins RC4 class.


Some of us fans also helped him with our crowdfunding...

Eddie backed a winner, not for the first time?


Said it last year however am going to repeat myself. Will be interesting to see how Enrique Cruz goes in the Fiesta...

4th overall, his best yet and behind only some top talent.

[Danny0405]

Just looked into this and found out you have to drive with Pirelli tyres to be able to compete with the Juniors. Renault and Michelin have a strong partnership, that must be the reason.

Quite strange because Fotia was in Pirelli with CHL in his 2 ERC rallies last year and he was supposed to be the replacement for Franceschi in Renault/Toksport main spot this year (and Franceschi used Pirelli last year).
I’ve taken a look and it seems Fotia is funded by Michelin which could be the real reason.

But clearly I don’t like this tyre rule in low categories (in main class, it’s already questionable but in low categories, I found it quite dumb in the a category which is not pick-and-drive). Clearly the winner of this situation is Pellier who clearly has the best pedigree in ERC4 Junior even if Mabellini can be dangerous with his consistency.
If he converts the try, it could be an incredible U-turn for Pellier; almost nowhere and close to retirement in 2020, not able to fund a 2WD French program in 2021 and finally, thanks to a «*clever*» move in e-rally championship (set aside the question of the electric rally cars, I’m talking about the cost-effectiveness), he could reach an almost fully-funded JWRC season in 2023 by winning 2 championships with small competition and not a big investment.

[Danny0405]

Great job by Solans after the struggle for funding and no testing. He deserves to be in the ERC and I hope he gets some more sponsorship after proving himself again. Mine and others donations helped here but it wont be enough long-term.

I really hope for the interest of the championship that he will find a solution (at least, a transitory one for the next 2 or 3 rallies and then decide for the last 2 depending on the results) because else, there will be absolutely no debate for Llarena and it would be one of the worst ERC seasons for a long time (at least 10 years and the ERC-IRC merge).
Even if the level is not big and his results in R5 were not really good so far, his last 2 performances under pressure were really interesting.

But looking at how difficult it was in Portugal and Spain (whereas, even if island rallies are quite expensive, it is simpler for him to attract sponsorship for these rallies theoretically), I think it will be very hard.
But let’s see.

[WRCStan]

But clearly I don’t like this tyre rule in low categories (in main class, it’s already questionable but in low categories, I found it quite dumb in the a category which is not pick-and-drive).

What do you think about this:


4.1.18 The competitor acknowledges ... shall neither directly nor indirectly grant any benefits or rights in respect to his/her participation in the Events, including his/her car(s) and liveries, to any third party for the following categories (“Exclusive Categories”): (i) energy drinks; (ii) tyres; (iii) fuel; (iv) lubricants and maintenance fluids ; (v) video gaming, interactive games and simulations (collectively, “Games”); (vi) watches; and (vii) energy supplying. The Competitor further acknowledges and agrees that Competitor and Competitor’s drivers shall neither directly nor indirectly grant any benefits or rights in respect to his/her participation in the Events, including his/her car(s) and liveries, to any competing racing event to the Junior ERC. The Promoter accepts such grant.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://www.fiaerc.com/erc/news/erc/2022/solans-we-couldnt-relax/

[dupanton]

What do you think about this:

Renault program is funded for a big part by Michelin and Castrol, so...

Awfull rule!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

How poor Monzon was 'screwed'...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FSyjr7YWIAA3RlL?format=jpg&name=medium

[dimviii]

Solans
https://twitter.com/AutoCanario/status/1525734414386450433

[Jarek Z]

else, there will be absolutely no debate for Llarena and it would be one of the worst ERC seasons for a long time (at least 10 years and the ERC-IRC merge).

Yes, I'm afraid it will be a less interesting season this year. Solans, Llarena, Bonato and Campedelli are at least one league down from Kajto, Lukyanuk, Mikkelsen and Bouffier...

[Jarek Z]

Highlights from the final day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hLIAWi4kvI

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Yes, I'm afraid it will be a less interesting season this year. Solans, Llarena, Bonato and Campedelli are at least one league down from Kajto, Lukyanuk, Mikkelsen and Bouffier...

A bit of a perfect storm this year with some 'names' having moved on and Lukyanuk out with the Ukraine situation. Solans is maybe the benchmark now as the former JWRC & WRC3 Champion.

[Danny0405]

Yes, I'm afraid it will be a less interesting season this year. Solans, Llarena, Bonato and Campedelli are at least one league down from Kajto, Lukyanuk, Mikkelsen and Bouffier...

Not sure than Solans and Llarena are really worse than Kajto in 2014/2015 (do not forget that they are 30 y.o. or less): but the global level after that sounds really weak and in the 10 past years, there was always at least one driver maintaining some pressure on the championship leader until late summer.
I’m not even sure that, if I only take the drivers with a serious program (at least 4 rounds), there are more than 4 that can achieve a podium.

Here, with no Solans, Llarena could win the title just being 80-85% in the next 3 rounds.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Top fan video... what a different impression of the speed & sound compared to the official ERC+ coverage...

https://youtu.be/ye1yJaF0UDU

[106 sport]

Luís Monzón leading!!!

Driver of Gran Canaria is the first after 3 stages.

Remember he is 56 years old.

Amazing.

Cruel end for Luís.

Very, very bad luck...

[dupanton]

What I don't understand is why he retired? Was he out of spares or something?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

What I don't understand is why he retired? Was he out of spares or something?

He was made aware of the screw in the tyre too late to change it. When it blew he retired as he knew the time to change it would mean his chance of a win or good result had gone.

[PLuto]

A bit of a perfect storm this year with some 'names' having moved on and Lukyanuk out with the Ukraine situation. Solans is maybe the benchmark now as the former JWRC & WRC3 Champion.

Solans did only two events now and has no budget for further plans. Lukyanuk is not out because the Ukraine situation, his absence was almost sure before the war (of course this was didnt helped).

[PLuto]

Quite strange because Fotia was in Pirelli with CHL in his 2 ERC rallies last year and he was supposed to be the replacement for Franceschi in Renault/Toksport main spot this year (and Franceschi used Pirelli last year).
I’ve taken a look and it seems Fotia is funded by Michelin which could be the real reason.

But clearly I don’t like this tyre rule in low categories (in main class, it’s already questionable but in low categories, I found it quite dumb in the a category which is not pick-and-drive). Clearly the winner of this situation is Pellier who clearly has the best pedigree in ERC4 Junior even if Mabellini can be dangerous with his consistency.
If he converts the try, it could be an incredible U-turn for Pellier; almost nowhere and close to retirement in 2020, not able to fund a 2WD French program in 2021 and finally, thanks to a «*clever*» move in e-rally championship (set aside the question of the electric rally cars, I’m talking about the cost-effectiveness), he could reach an almost fully-funded JWRC season in 2023 by winning 2 championships with small competition and not a big investment.

Reason for Fotia not in ERC Junior is really because he is competing with Michelin tyres. I must say I understand this tyre rule in low categories like juniors, because this is helping with funds for the prize for winner. I dont understand it in higher categories...