Lukyanuk heads ERC Production Car chase

Alexey Lukyanuk holds an advantage of 18.1s after the opening day of action in the FIA Production Car Cup on Rally Liepāja-Ventspils.

Lukyanuk, from Russia, took the category lead from fellow Russian Vasily Gryazin – who competes under a Latvian licence – by winning his class on stage two, Volkswagen.

He was quickest again on stage three, LDz Cargo, despite fearing contact had damaged his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, which is being run by the Latvian ASRT team.

Leading Lithuanian driver Vytatutas Švedas is second overnight in another Lancer with Estonian’s Siim Plangi third despite reporting his dislike of driving at night. Vitaliy Pushkar, from Ukraine, is a strong fourth.