Yalta - IRC news before SS3

Consani pleased with day one progress

Frenchman Robert Consani says he is happy with his pace following the first two stages of the Prime Yalta Rally, round 10 of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Consani and co-driver Nicolas Klinger are currently leading the IRC 2WD Cup category, where the pairing have established a 12.3-second lead after only 7.61 competitive kilometres.

“I am happy with my times today but I made two small mistakes when we slipped out of gear,” said Consani who is piloting a Renault Mégane RS.

Consani added: “This is my first time in Yalta and the roads are very slippery and bumpy; it is a rally that is very tough on the tyre. Tomorrow my target is to drive at a steady pace and to stay on track for a podium finish. It is important for the championship.”

In the overall IRC 2WD Cup standings, Consani is 26-points adrift of current category leader Harry Hunt who has elected to skip the Ukrainian IRC round from his schedule.

Three questions to Yukhym Vazheyevskyy

Ukraine’s Yukhym Vazheyevskyy says he will be vying for a podium spot when he competes on home soil this weekend for round 10 of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

After two stages, the 35-year-old Peugeot 207 S2000 driver lies 10th on the overall Prime Yalta Rally leaderboard.

How did your preparations go ahead of competing in Yalta this weekend? “Well, this is our first time in the Peugeot 207 S2000 and it is also our first time in a Super 2000 car. We had a test before the rally where we completed about 70 kilometres but I competed in Yalta last year so I have some experience of the roads.”

What do you think of the Super 2000 car? “I like it, it feels very nice. We still have a lot to learn as it is very different from a 2WD car but I think that it works well on the roads here in Ukraine. The grip feels very good on the slippery roads.”

What is your target for this weekend? “I really want to get through the rally with no problems so that is my first target but I would also like to finish on the podium. I finished third in class in the 2WD category last year so I would like a podium spot again this year. I really like the stages here and I am feel very comfortable so we will see what happens.”

Pajunen aims to stay ahead of Protasov

Yalta Prime Rally leader Mikko Pajunen says his main aim for the first full day of action in Ukraine is to stay ahead of home hero, Yuriy Protasov.

Finland’s Pajunen currently leads Protasov by a mere 0.98s going into today’s repeat loop of three asphalt stages but the M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000 driver is eager to stay out in front.

“Our target today is to stay ahead of Yuriy,” said 27-year-old Pajunen during service in Yalta’s harbourfront this morning. “We still need to be very careful out there though. There are some very tricky places and it will be easy to go off the road if we push too hard.”

This weekend marks the first time that Pajunen has piloted a Fiesta S2000 but the Finn is feeling positive about his performance in the four-wheel-drive car so far.

“We are feeling very comfortable with the car, there are still a few things we need to learn but it is a lot of fun to drive,” he explained.

Panov heads Honda crews in Yalta

Local driver Alexy Panov is leading Honda’s bid for glory on round 10 of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge in Ukraine this weekend.

Driving a Honda Civic Type R, Panov and co-driver Olexandr Yakushev, are currently ninth in the IRC 2WD Cup following the first two stages on Prime Yalta Rally.

Team-mates Ivan Ostapchenko and co-driver Dmytro Tsyro are ninth in a second Honda Civic R, 3.2s adrift of Panov.

Both drivers will be aiming to make the most of their experience of the local roads in order to move ahead of their competitors in the overall 2WD leaderboard tomorrow.

“The real challenge starts tomorrow,” says Avci

Turkey’s Yağiz Avci says that tomorrow will pose the biggest challenge for crews competing on this year’s Prime Yalta Rally, round 10 of the all-action Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

With an impressive show of speed on his IRC debut, Avci and fellow countryman Bahadir Gücenmez are lying third at the wheel of their Castrol Ford Team Türkiye Ford Fiesta S2000.

“Our last asphalt rally was four months ago so this has been quite a challenge today,” admitted Avci at the overnight halt in Yalta. “We were too cautious on the first stage but the second run was good for us and we are happy with the car set-up.”

Avci added: “It’s been good to gain more asphalt experience and I’m happy with our times so far but the real challenge starts tomorrow. That is when it will get really difficult because it is so slippery, I will need to concentrate at all times. It will be a big challenge for everyone, even those that are experienced on these roads because the conditions could catch anyone out. I have completed very few asphalt events internationally and in Turkey it is mostly gravel rallies. I want to attack but it is most important that I reach the end and leave Yalta with some points.”