Wittmann excited by Limassol superspecial

Franz Wittmann says the Lemesos Super Special Stage, which will be used twice on the FxPro Cyprus Rally, the final round of the 2010 Intercontinental Rally Challenge, will provide plenty of drama and must be treated with the utmost respect by the competitors.

Wittmann, who turned 27 yesterday (Wednesday), will take part on the event in his Interwetten Racing Peugeot 207 Super 2000 alongside regular co-driver Klaus Wicha.

Using an all-asphalt, 2.45-kilometre course in Limassol’s port area, the fan-friendly stage will be run immediately following the ceremonial start on the night of Thursday 4 November and on the evening of Friday 5 November. The stage incorporates a cross-over point and drivers will tackle the test in pairs.

“These kinds of stages are great for the fans because they can get really close to the action and you always have plenty of drama and get really sideways,” said the Austrian ace. “Although it’s a short stage in comparison to some of the gravel stages on the rally, you can’t win the rally on it but it’s very easy to lose the rally and all the drivers need to be aware of that.”

Wittmann will be one of several IRC regulars set to tackle the all-new Lemesos Super Special Stage, which is being organised by IS Focus in cooperation with Limassol Municipality and the Port Authority. Other drivers include Brazil’s Daniel Oliveira and Burcu Çetinkaya, from Turkey.