Pechenyk on top in IRC Production Cup

The IRC Production Cup has a new winner after Volodymyr Pechenyk claimed the category honours on the Prime Yalta Rally.

Ukrainian driver Pechenyk, at the wheel of a Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, headed countrymen Yuriy Shapovalov (Lancer Evolution IX) and Anton Kuzmenko (Subaru Impreza WRX STI) at the finish in Yalta’s waterfront on Saturday.

Leading Ukrainian driver Valeriy Gorban (pictured) had been tipped as a favourite for victory in his Lancer but stopped on day two with a mechanical fault. He had been leading after the first day’s competition.

Pechenyk’s victory puts him equal second in the race for the inaugural IRC Production Cup title, 25 points behind leader Florian Gonon. The Swiss wasn’t competing on the Ukraine event but will return to action on the Geko Ypres Rally, which takes place in Belgium from 23-25 June when he bids to make it three wins from three starts in his Impreza.