Sunday PWRC wrap: Germany magic for Kosciuszko

Michal Kosciuszko negotiated Sunday’s rain-hit stages with his lead of the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship firmly intact to clinch showroom class honours on ADAC Rallye Deutschland.

Polish ace Kosciuszko hadn’t won in the category since triumphing on the season-opening Rallye Monte-Carlo in January in his Mitsubishi Lancer, but celebrated a comfortable first place ahead of Ralliart Italy team-mate Benito Guerra, from Mexico, who continues to lead the PWRC standings.

Marcos Ligato, from Argentina, completed the podium in his Top Run Motorsport Subaru Impreza, with Ricardo Trivinho a strong fourth and Nicolas Fuchs recovering from earlier delays to claim fifth overall in his Symtech Racing Impreza.

“It’s been an incredible weekend and the perfect job for us,” said Kosciuszko, who was quickest on two of Sunday’s three stages. “The team did a good job and the car was really well prepared. It was a nice fight with Benny but just unfortunate he made a mistake and had the puncture. But that happens if you are pushing hard. The most important thing is we are still in the game and we can win the championship now.”

Guerra, who was fastest on stage 14, added: “Second place in Germany for my first time is a good position even though the fight was over yesterday when I had my puncture. Michal did a great job but 18 points for me for the championship is very good. We are still leading and I am really happy because of this.”

Indonesia’s Subhan Aksa restarted under Rally 2 rules following his retirement on Saturday to finish sixth. Valeriy Gorban completed the finishers in seventh as Mentos Ascania Racing team-mate and fellow Ukrainian Oleksii Kikireshko dropped out on the final morning.