Jannerrallye - ERC news before SS11

Starring role for Tlusťák on Jännerrallye

Antonín Tlusťák will perform a starring role on day two of the International Jännerrallye.

Driving for the GPD Mit Metal Racing Team, Czech Tlusťák will start first on the road on the final eight stages of the FIA European Rally Championship qualifier in Austria in his ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000.

Pavel Valoušek is next up with Beppo Harrach the first Austrian driver on the road in third place. François Delecour is fourth with Václav Pech fifth after making repairs to the damage he inflicted to his MINI John Cooper Works S2000 on Friday’s final test.

Raimund Baumschlager starts sixth with Bryan Bouffier seventh and current event leader Jan Kopecký the eighth driver to leave service in Freistadt on Saturday morning.

Raoux still up for European rally action

Frenchman Jean-Michel Raoux still plans to contest this year’s FIA European Rally Championship despite being forced to cancel his entry for the International Jännerrallye.

Raoux, the winner of the IRC 2WD Cup in 2011 in a Renault Clio R3, was due to contest the event in a Peugeot 207 S2000, but scrubbed his entry after co-driver Laurent Magat was unable to get time off work.

“I haven’t driven for a year, so I really wanted Laurent to be with me as I got up to speed again,” he said. “He was alongside me when I won in 2011 and his advice is very valuable. Hopefully we’ll be there for the next round of the European championship with the Peugeot S2000, on a surface that I love.”

Like many others, Raoux is eagerly following the Jännerrallye from home online. “I’m glued to the computer following all the times,” added Raoux. “Particularly those of Bryan Bouffier, who would have been my team-mate: he’s doing an absolutely incredible job.”

Stohl tips Kopecký for Jännerrallye win

Manfred Stohl, one of Austria’s top international rally drivers, has tipped ŠKODA’s Jan Kopecký to repeat his International Jännerrallye victory of 2012.

Stohl, who finished fourth overall in the 2006 World Rally Championship with four podiums, has not competed extensively at home but has plenty of experience of Austrian rallies through running customers in his own team.

“Jan has the experience, the team and the car behind him,” said Stohl. “I always thought that it would be between him and Raimund Baumschlager, but I think now that Jan just has the edge.”

The conditions this year form one big reason why Stohl thinks that Kopecký will triumph. “If it was heavy snow then it would be better for Raimund as he is more accustomed to these conditions,” he added. “But there is less snow than usual so the rally is more normal: I think that this will help Jan.”

Today’s stages have been subjected to heavy overnight rain with ambient temperatures currently registering at six degrees centigrade. Kopecký currently leads Bryan Bouffier by 20.2s.

Baumschlager: Austrian fans relishing ERC visit

Raimund Baumschlager has spoken about the importance of the International Jännerrallye to the growth of the sport in Austria.

Baumschlager, currently third overall on the FIA European Rally Championship round, said the event is attracting a huge spectator following.

“For us it’s very important,” said Baumschlager. “The Jännerrallye is the most famous rally [in Austria]. You have 100-150,000 spectators and this year we will top it. We have famous names and this is always good to show the guys there are not just Austrian drivers but there are some foreign drivers like François Delcour, Bryan Bouffier, Stig [Blomqvist] of course and Jan Kopecký and so on. They are really famous in Austria, the fans know their names and they like to see them driving. They will have a lot of fun, for us and for the sport it’s very important.”

Every cloud has a silver lining for Bouffier

They say that every cloud has a silver lining…and Bryan Bouffier will be the first person to agree.

The Peugeot-driving Frenchman, a former Rallye Monte-Carlo winner, was making his debut in the similar conditions of the International Jannerrallye today but he did not feel that he had got off to the best of starts after dropping time in the morning.

“There are no excuses, just apologies,” he said after three stages. “The car was good and the tyre choice was good: for some reason I simply didn’t drive very well.”

However, he more than made up for it in the more consistent conditions of the afternoon, setting fastest stage times both in damp conditions and in heavy rain with fog. The result is that he moves up to an unexpected second in the standings starting Saturday’s final eight stages.

“It wasn’t easy; conditions were very slippery,” reported Bouffier. “But the times were still good.”

With inconsistent conditions expected again on Saturday – and local hero Raimund Baumschlager breathing down his neck – Bouffier can expect another epic battle tomorrow. But one thing is for sure – the rain holds no fear for him.

Brave Semerád on early retirement in Austria

Martin Semerád marked his return to competition on the International Jännerrallye today by thanking his fans for their support since his former co-driver Bohuslav Ceplecha lost his life in a crash on a rally in Czech Republic last year.

Semerád elected to withdraw from the Austrian event prior to the closing loop of two stages this evening. He was in 13th position and fifth in the FIA European Rally Championship Production Car Cup at the time.

“We are retiring before special stage nine,” said Semerád. “The unstable conditions today were a tough test and I decided not to continue in this race. I drove on the stage after six months and I want to go step by step. Today was enough as a second step. Thanks to [my co-driver] Jakub Kotál and the whole team for the support and patience. I apologise to all disappointed fans and thank you for the understanding.”

Turán reveals Jännerrallye crash disappointment

Frigyes Turán has spoken about the accident that forced his retirement on stage one of the International Jännerrallye today.

The Hungarian was targeting success in the FIA ERC Production Car Cup when he crashed out in his Turán Motorsport Subaru Impreza three and a half kilometres into the 18.99-kilometre Pierbach stage.

“It was working very well,” said the Hungarian ace. “It was in a tricky part, a left-hander, and I braked too late, the car spun and the left rear hit a tree. It was not so badly damaged on the suspension but we can’t carry on because of a problem with the chassis. It’s very disappointing because I was happy with my speed before then.”

Turán will return to ERC action on next month’s Rally Liepāja-Ventspils in Latvia.