SS2: Pajunen snatches lead from Protasov

Mikko Pajunen clocked the fastest time through stage two of Prime Yalta Rally, and currently leads the Intercontinental Rally Challenge crews at the end of the first competitive leg.

Piloting an M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000 for the first time, Finland’s Pajunen completed the second 5.49-kilometre Livadija special stage with a time of 3m23.6s. Ukraine’s Yuriy Protasov was second fastest at the wheel of a M-Sport Ford Fiesta RRC, and lies only 0.98s adrift of rally leader Pajunen. Third quickest was Turkey’s Yağiz Avci in another Fiesta S2000, 6.2s behind Protasov.

Leading the way for the IRC Production Cup was Marco Tempestini in his Subaru Impreza R2 STI who finished 1.2s ahead of Vitaliy Pushkar at the wheel of a Mistubishi Lancer Evolution X R4. In the overall IRC Production Cup Standings, Tempestini leads Pushkar by 1.76s.

Valeriy Gorban is third in the IRC Production Cup at the wheel of a Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, with local driver Yurii Kochmar fourth in his Mistubishi Lancer Evolution XIII. Frenchman Robert Consani is fifth in the IRC Production Cup in a Renault Mégane RS.

Vlad Cosma posted the quickest time out of the IRC 2WD Cup contenders on stage two, but Turkey’s Murat Bostanci continues to lead the overall standings with a 2.61s advantage.