Joy and despair for Consani on Cyprus IRC finale

It was a case of mixed emotions for Robert Consani on last week’s Cyprus Rally, the final round of the 2012 Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

The talented Frenchman started the event in contention for winning both the IRC Production Cup and IRC 2WD Cup awards.

Although he triumphed in the former – despite not being eligible for category points on the mixed-surface event – his failure to prevent Harry Hunt from clinching the latter left with a feeling of despondency.

“We were very disappointed not to have been able to fight with Harry to the end,” said Renault driver Consani. “When we came here we had to choose one championship to battle in and that was the IRC 2WD Cup not the IRC Production Cup. When we stopped [with clutch failure on day one] it was a really bad feeling.”

Despite their disappointment, Consani and co-driver Nicolas Klinger helped Hunt celebrate his second IRC 2WD Cup crown in three years by forming part of his crew for the final service.