Protasov sets the pace on Yalta shakedown

Yuriy Protasov has got the upper hand over his Intercontinental Rally Challenge competitors following the home hero’s fastest time in shakedown on today’s Prime Yalta Rally.

Piloting a Ford Fiesta RRC alongside co-driver Kyrylo Nesvit, Protasov set a quickest time of 1m35.7s through today’s shakedown that was based 20-kilometres from the Black Sea resort of Yalta. Finland’s Mikko Pajunen was second fastest in a Ford Fiesta S2000 recording a time of 1m41.5s.

“Shakedown today was slippery towards the end of our runs but the car was feeling very good,” explained 28-year-old Protasov. “We made a small alteration after the first run and everything was okay after that apart from our tyres that needed changed.”

Protasov added: “This is my first time in the Fiesta RRC. It’s a nice car, and feels very light to drive. We’ve only had one test so far where we completed about 100 kilometres but I’m feeling very confident we can leave Yalta with a good result.”

Clocking the third fastest time was Yağiz Avci in a Ford Fiesta S2000, closely followed by Hungary’s Laszlo Vizin at the wheel of a ŠKODA Fabia S2000.

Weather conditions were mostly dry but several crews were hit with light rain towards the end of the shakedown session.

The official start of Prime Yalta Rally, round 10 of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, will commence at 13:01hrs tomorrow with two runs of the Yalta and Livadija stages. A ceremonial start will follow at 17:00hrs in the historic town of Yalta.

Top 10 shakedown times:

1 Yuriy Protasov (Ford Fiesta RRC) 1m35.70s

2 Mikko Pajunen (Ford Fiesta S2000) 1m37.0s

3 Yağiz Avci (Ford Fiesta S2000) 1m41.50s

4 Laszlo Vizin (ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000) 1m42.0s

5 Yukhym Vazheyevskyy (Peugeot 207 Super 2000) 1m43.70s

6 Vitaly Pushkar (Mitsubishi EVO X R4) 1m41.80s

7 Marco Tempestini (Subaru Impreza STI R4) 1m40.30s

8 Robert Cansani (Renault Mégane RS) 1,43.50s

9 Simone Tempestini (Subaru Impreza N15 STI) 1m41.90s

10 Valeriy Gorban (Mitsubishi EVO IX) 1m43.50s