Fisher thrilled with WRC Academy Cup win

Alastair Fisher says his victory in the FIA WRC Academy Cup section of Rallye de France Alsace on Saturday has gone some way towards making up for the disappointments he has suffered in the young driver-training category this season.

The 23-year-old from Northern Ireland inherited first place when Yeray Lemes was handed a five-minute time penalty after the Spaniard committed a second speeding offence during a liaison section.

Despite recording a number of fastest stage times and leading on occasion, Fisher had never claimed a WRC Academy Cup podium prior to the Strasbourg event following a luckless campaign alongside co-driver Daniel Barritt.

“This wasn’t the way I wanted to claim my first victory in the WRC Academy Cup victory but after all the bad luck I’ve had this year it was nice to get some good luck for a change,” said Fisher. “I came to this rally with the aim of finishing on the podium and didn’t want to take too many risks because this is a really tough event. Leaving here with a win is a big bonus and if we can get a good run and show good pace on [Wales] Rally GB then there’s every chance we can finish runner-up in the championship, which would be a great result.”

Fisher’s victory puts him into fourth place in the drivers’ standings. Estonian Kaur still leads the category by 20 points over Irishman Craig Breen. Both drivers failed to finish in France after going off the road.