Yalta - IRC news before SS1

All the information you need

By Franck Drui

14 September 2012 - 12:21
Yalta - IRC news before SS1

Vizin hoping for a clear run

Hungary’s Laszlo Vizin is hoping for better luck on this year’s Prime Yalta Rally after his Intercontinental Rally Challenge glory bid was cut short following a technical problem on last year’s event.

“The most important goal is to finish the rally,” said the ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000 driver. “The stages are very up and down on this rally and this puts a lot of stress on the car. Sometimes this kind of terrain can cause technical problems with the car but we just want to have a clear run, that is our target.”

Vizin, who is co-driven by Gabor Zsiros, only completed one stage on last year’s Yalta Rally before a technical problem forced the duo’s early exit.

Three questions to: Valeriy Gorban

Piloting a Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV, Ukaine’s Valeiry Gorban is hoping for a trouble-free run on this weekend’s Prime Yalta Rally, round 10 of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

What is your target this weekend, are you aiming for a podium in the IRC Production Cup?


“Well, Yalta is a really tricky rally. So for this event, we will just try to drive to the finish and hope that we have no problems. Of course it would be good to finish on the podium, it would be nice for the fans too, but it is most important that I make it to the end."

You mentioned that the Yalta Rally is very tricky, why is this?

“I think it is because the roads are very slippery and this can make braking very difficult to judge. The grip is also constantly changing, sometimes the grip can change up to 10 times in just one stage so it is hard to find a rhythm.”

So, it sounds as if you have a lot of experience of competing on the Yalta Rally?

“Yes, it is my fourth year in Yalta. Every year, I am learning something new. Over the last three years, I have had a lot of problems on this rally so that is why my aim is to drive to the finish this year.”

Cosma hungry for points in Yalta

Romania’s Vlad Cosma says he will aim to score as many points as possible against his Intercontinental Rally Challenge competitors on this weekend’s Prime Yalta Rally.

Piloting a Citroën C2 R2 Max alongside co-driver Florin Darca, the Eastern European pairing will be hoping to benefit from their joint experience competing on last year’s event.

“I know we can’t beat Robert Consani, but he is not our target,” explained Cosma who will be competing in the IRC 2WD Cup. “We know this rally from last year so we have some experience of the roads and I hope we can leave with a good result.”

Cosma, a three-time Citroën Racing Trophy winner back in his native Romania, is also hoping to contest Rally Silven in Bulgaria later this month.

“I was in Sliven when it was a round of the Bulgarian Rally Championship, so if I find the money I would like to go. I like the stages in Bulgaria and I am sure I can get a good result there,” concluded Cosma.

Bostanci to adopt risk-free approach in Yalta

Murat Bostanci vows he will not take any risks when competing on this weekend’s Prime Yalta Rally, round 10 of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, but the Turk still has high hopes of finishing on the IRC 2WD podium.

Competing in Ukraine for the first time, Bostanci and fellow countryman Onur Vatansever will pilot a Ford Fiesta R2 in the action-packed IRC 2WD Cup category. The duo will be up against a host of stiff competition including Frenchman Robert Consani, who is currently second in the two-wheel-drive standings.

Speaking after yesterday’s shakedown, Bostanci commented: “It’s my first time in Yalta: we don’t know the surface yet and we were being very careful. I am used to gravel roads and have very little experience on asphalt, so I’m not feeling as confident as I usually do.”

Bostanci added: “The stages are very difficult on this rally. I think that it will be better not to take too many risks and get some good experience on the surface. So my aim is mainly to finish but at the same time, I think I can get a podium if I have a clear run.”

Yalta Rally will commence today at 13:01hrs with two runs of the Yalta and Livadija stages followed by a ceremonial start at 17:00hrs local time.

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