Golden Stage Rally (Cyprus) - 7 Nov 10

LOVE CYPRUS GOLDEN STAGE TRIUMPH FOR MIKKELSEN

Posted: November 10, 2010 1:18 PM

Andreas Mikkelsen has won the inaugural Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally, which was shown live on Eurosport and Cypriot channel LumiereTV and carried a prize fund of 150,000 Euros.

Co-driven by fellow Norwegian Ola Floene, Mikkelsen set a scorching pace over the opening 25-kilometre mixed-surface run to establish an interim lead of 10.3 seconds. And he maintained his advantage over the second test to eventually beat Nasser Al-Attiyah by 8.2s in a tense finish, despite going slower than the Qatari driver on the final run.

As well as winning 30,000 Euros for his overall victory, the 21-year-old bagged 10,000 Euros for topping Category A for Super 2000 cars. Roman Kresta earned 10,000 Euros for winning Category B in his Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, while Karl Kruuda received a cheque for 10,000 Euros for finishing as the leading Category C contender in his two-wheel drive Suzuki Swift.

Both runs over the stage were held in baking sunshine against the backdrop of the Mediterranean island's spectacular landscape. Mikkelsen put his victory down to his "full attack" approach on the first run and a slightly more controlled effort on run two when he was able to preserve his lead.

"It was definitely full attack for the first stage but I could drive a little more in the middle of the road on the second run and avoid some of the rocks," said Mikkelsen. "It was quite nerve-wracking because in the middle of the stage I thought we had a problem with the powersteering but in the end it was okay."

Mikkelsen's victory made up for the disappointment of retiring on the opening day of the FxPro Cyprus Rally, the 12th and final round of the 2010 Intercontinental Rally Challenge, which ran from 4-6 November. "I really should have won that too so this does make up for it in some way," he said.

Behind Mikkelsen, Cyprus Rally winner and second-placed Al-Attiyah said he had not been able to live with his rival's pace:
"I am quite happy because it has been a good weekend for us but maybe Andreas had an advantage. He had a new exhaust on his car, which gave him an extra 13bhp."

Frenchman Bryan Bouffier felt that the extensive amount of asphalt on the stage, which covered approximately 15 kilometres of the run, had held him back in his Peugeot 207 S2000:
"My tyres were destroyed at the end of the Tarmac. There was nothing more we could have done but I am very happy to have been third behind two very good drivers. My car was also perfect."

Martin Prokop said a lack of traction on the gravel sections prevented a bid for victory in his Fiesta, despite explaining:
"I tried as hard as I could but in the gravel the car was always in the air. I made no mistakes but I had no traction. I thought that the set-up would work better."
Nicos Thomas was the leading Cypriot driver in fifth overall on only his second outing in his Peugeot 207, which he was driving thanks to the close collaboration between Golden Stage Rally promoter Eurosport Events and organiser Cyprus Automobile Association.
"It has been a good debut for me in a Super 2000 car," he said. "It was a tough stage but I am pleased with my result."

Jaromir Tarabus completed run two with a punctured right-rear tyre but still managed to take sixth overall ahead of Group N winner Kresta and Cypriot Constantinos Tingirides, who said that his Ralliart Lancer lacked power on the first run. Two-wheel drive victor Karl Kruuda and Panikos Polykarpou completed the top 10.

A broken left-rear suspension arm caused multiple Lebanese champion Roger Feghali's retirement 13 kilometres into the final test, after he had completed the first run in fifth overall. Daniel Oliveira crashed out on the first corner of the second run. Both incidents were shown live on Eurosport and Cypriot channel LumiereTV.

Burcu Cetinkaya's Golden Stage Rally ended on run two when she rolled her Peugeot Sport Turkey 207, thankfully without injury. Franz Wittmann suffered a front-right puncture on the first run and elected not to take the start of the second stage in his Interwetten Racing 207.

All competitors carried Colin McRae Vision windscreen strips in support of the charity established in memory of the 1995 world rally champion. The charity supports initiatives and good causes aimed at improving health and education for young children around the world. At the IRC Awards Ceremony in Limassol tonight (Sunday), Colin McRae Vision will make a substantial donation to ELPIDA, a charitable foundation for children with leukaemia and other cancers living in Cyprus.

Results

Posted: November 10, 2010 1:17 PM

1 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Floene (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) 37m14.3s
2 Nasser Al-Attiyah/Giovanni Bernacchini (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +8.2s
3 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +13.8s
4 Martin Prokop/Jan Tomanek (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +24.6s
5 Nicos Thomas/Angelos Loizides (Peugeot 207 S2000) +1m25.5s
6 Jaromir Tarabus/Daniel Trunkat (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +2m07.2s
7 Roman Kresta/Petr Gross (Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) +2m37.8s
8 Constantinos Tingirides/Panayiotis Shialos (Ralliart Lancer Evolution IX) +3m12.6s
9 Karl Kruuda/Martin Jarveoja (Suzuki Swift S1600) +3m26.6s
10 Panikos Polykarpou/Savvas Laos (Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) +3m32.1s

Golden Stage Rally prize fund allocation
Andreas Mikkelsen: 40,000 Euros
Nasser Al-Attiyah: 28,000 Euros
Bryan Bouffier: 16,000 Euros
Martin Prokop: 10,000 Euros
Roman Kresta: 10,000 Euros
Karl Kruuds: 10,000 Euros
Constantinos Tingirides: 8,000 Euros
Nicoas Thomas: 6,000 Euros
Panikos Polykarpou: 6,000 Euros
Savvas Savva: 5,000 Euros
Laszlo Vizin: 5,000 Euros
Paraskevas Paraskeva: 3,000 Euros
Janos Puskardi: 3,000 Euros

Green light for Golden Stage Rally

Posted: October 25, 2010 3:52 PM

Entries are rolling in for the Golden Stage Rally, a new concept in rallying that will take place following the conclusion of the FXPro Cyprus Rally: the final round of the IRC series in November.

The unique event, with a 150,000 Euro prize fund, will be open to all teams and drivers competing with Super 2000, Group N and Group A (up to A7) cars, in both 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive categories

The 2010 Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally will feature one single stage on mixed surface measuring approximately 30 kilometres in length, the Golden Stage, run twice, and competitors will benefit from live coverage across the Eurosport platform totalling four hours of footage, complemented by several live transmissions on local channel Lumiere TV.

Cypriot driver Nicos Thomas is one of the local stars to have confirmed his entry, while Ford ace Khalid Al Qassimi is also considering taking part in the event, on November 7. The day will conclude in Limassol with the official IRC prize-giving ceremony in the evening.

Live TV Times

Posted: October 9, 2010 1:07 PM

Golden Stage Rally
Sunday 7 November
10:00hrs-11:00hrs: LIVE Eurosport & Lumiere TV
13:00hrs-14:00hrs: LIVE Eurosport & Lumiere TV
Times: Irish/UK

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Cyprus Rally - 4-6 Nov 10

Official Golden Stage Rally website launched

Posted: September 22, 2010 2:30 PM

Eurosport Events, promoter of the Golden Stage Rally, is pleased to confirm the launch of the competition's official website.

The website has been designed to provide all the latest information on this new and innovative rally, which will be organised for the first time this year. The event, named the Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally, carries a prize fund of 150,000 Euros and requires competitors to tackle two passes of a single mixed-surface 25-kilometre stage close to the event base in Limassol on Sunday 7 November.

As well as providing assistance to drivers and teams planning to contest the event, the website will also keep updated those fans watching the rally live on television or travelling to the island to capture the action close up.

"We hope the official website will be a useful source of information for competitors and fans alike as we continue our preparations for the inaugural Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally," said the General Co-ordinator Xavier Gavory.

Event Wesite:

Golden Stage Rally (Cyprus)

Al Qassimi considers Golden Stage entry

Posted: September 16, 2010 2:14 PM

Khalid Al Qassimi, a former Middle East rally champion, is considering entering the Golden Stage Rally, which takes place in Cyprus on 7 November.

Featuring a single 25-kilometre mixed-surface stage run twice, the Golden Stage, the event is scheduled for the day after the Intercontinental Rally Challenge season concludes with the FxPro Cyprus Rally (4-6 November).

As well as counting for IRC points, the Cyprus Rally is a scoring round of the Middle East championship and a large contingent of crews from the regional series could also tackle the Golden Stage Rally, which is open to all teams and drivers competing with Super 2000, Group N and Group A (up to A7) cars, in both two- and four-wheel drive configuration..

"Nothing is decided but it's something we are looking at," said Abu Dhabi driver Al Qassimi, who campaigns an M-Sport Ford Fiesta Super 2000 in the Middle East championship. "I've never been to and IRC event before so it will be interesting to see what happens. If the timings work out it could be possible."

Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally plans take shape

Posted: August 26, 2010 11:27 AM

With a little more than three months remaining until the inaugural Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally, more details of the event, which takes place in Cyprus on 7 November, and carries a prize fund of 150,000 Euros, have been released.

Designed to showcase rallying in a new and exciting way by making it accessible, understandable and attractive to a wider audience, the compact, fan and television-friendly format covers a single 25-kilometre mixed-surface stage run twice. The stage will be known as the Love Cyprus Golden Stage in deference to support from the country’s tourism authority.

Regulations for the Limassol-based event, which runs the day after the FxPro Cyprus Rally, the 12th and final round of the 2010 Intercontinental Rally Challenge (4-6 November), will shortly be finalised by event organiser the Cyprus Automobile Association, while representatives from Eurosport Events, which is promoting the competition, have completed a thorough inspection of the planned course.

“It will be exciting with most of the stage running in a downhill direction,” said Jean-Pierre Nicolas, the Motorsport Development Manager of the IRC and a former international rally driver. “The gravel section was in a good condition when we visited and the road was not so narrow although bumpy in places, which adds to the challenge for the drivers. But the biggest test they will face will be how they handle the downhill sections because it can be easy to make a mistake under braking.”

The Golden Stage Rally is open to all teams and drivers competing with Super 2000, Group N and Group A (up to A7) cars, in both two- and four-wheel drive configuration. The entry fee will be 2,000 Euros per car and regulations and entry forms will be available from September onwards on the IRC website, www.rally-irc.com, and the FxPro Cyprus rally website, www.cyprusrally.com.cy.

The event begins with scrutineering from Saturday 6 November for cars not contesting the FxPro Cyprus Rally and on Sunday 7 November for crews taking part on the FxPro Cyprus Rally. The reconnaissance will take place on Thursday 4 November when crews are permitted to complete two passes of the Love Cyprus Golden Stage, which starts 31 kilometres from Limassol. The first competitor is due to tackle the stage late morning on Sunday with the second run going live in the early afternoon. The prize ceremony is due to take place in Limassol in conjunction with the IRC End of Season Awards Ceremony.

The event will enjoy extensive live television coverage with a number of networks around the world showing the action as it happens or highlights following the event. Eurosport, Europe’s largest television sports channel, will broadcast the rally live in its entirety through its network, which reaches out to 117 million homes across 59 countries.

Eurosport Events, which has successfully pioneered live coverage from the stages of several IRC rounds, will manage the live production and will also be responsible for the distribution of the worldwide media rights, including television.

Gilbert Roy, Eurosport Events’ Director of Editorial and Programme Development and the man in overall charge of the live television coverage of the Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally said:
“The scenery is beautiful and the changes of surface will lead to a lot of big slides, so it will be very exciting for the TV viewer. The finish is by a lake close to a dam and there is a good view of Limassol.”

Antonios Michaelides, Chairman of the Organising Committee, said:
“Rallying is a hugely popular sport in Cyprus and we, the organisers, are always keen to seek out ways to break new ground and bring fresh, new, innovative ideas to the sport. The Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally promises to be a standout, memorable event this year and shows that not only are we dedicated to stretching the boundaries of world motorsport, but also to making the very best of our island’s beautiful countryside.”

Title sponsor and long-term supporter of international motorsport in Cyprus, Cyprus Tourism Organisation Chairman Alecos Oroundiotis, added:
“Every year, the hosting of world-class rally events attracts sports fans new and old to our beautiful island and our rallying heritage has come to play a major part in promoting Cyprus overseas. The Cyprus Tourism Organisation is therefore extremely proud to sponsor the Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally, which is sure to attract even more attention to our island and provide a thrilling sporting spectacle.”

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Cyprus Rally - 4-6 Nov 10

THE GOLDEN STAGE RALLY: A NEW CONCEPT TO BRING RALLYING CLOSER TO THE PUBLIC

Posted: February 25, 2010 3:38 PM

Eurosport Events and the Cyprus Automobile Association (CAA) have today announced the creation of an innovative standalone rallying event, the Golden Stage Rally, the first edition of which will be run in Cyprus on 7 November, 2010.

The Golden Stage Rally will showcase rallying in a new and exciting way, by making it accessible, understandable and attractive for a wider audience. The compact, fan and television-friendly format will maximise the dramatic impact of the event. It will offer a thrilling spectacle with a complete new experience of the event from every possible angle for spectators and TV viewers.

* The event will be open to all teams and drivers competing with Super 2000, Group N and Group A (up to A7) cars, in both 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive categories.
* It will offer a substantial minimum 150,000-Euro prize, split between the S2000, Group N and two-wheel drive categories.
* The Golden Stage Rally will feature one single stage on mixed surface measuring approximately 25-30 kilometers in length, the Golden Stage, run twice.
* The event will benefit from an extensive live production managed by Eurosport Events, which successfully pioneered live coverage from the stages of several IRC rounds. Eurosport Events is responsible for the distribution of the worldwide media rights (including TV rights) and will make footage of the Golden Stage Rally available to broadcasters.
* The Golden Stage Rally will be broadcast in its entirety through Eurosport's network, reaching more than 117 million homes across 59 countries and through Eurosport Asia-Pacific.

Thanks to the strong collaboration and support of the CAA, the first edition of the Golden Stage Rally will take place on Sunday 7 November, 2010, following the conclusion of the FxPro Cyprus Rally, the 12th and final round of this year's IRC season.

Marcello Lotti, General Manager of the IRC commented:
"With this brand new concept, we want to create a new showcase for our entire sport and an opportunity for the professional and amateur drivers from many series to gather together and take a shot at glory and the prize purse. It will be open to all teams and drivers and the action promises to provide a great show in Cyprus, host venue of the final round of the IRC season and renowned as one of the world's most challenging rally destinations".

President of the CAA Antonis Michaelides said:
"The Cyprus Rally has always been about breaking new ground to ensure that world rallying is as exciting and as entertaining as possible and with the addition of this innovative new event, we are confident that this year's Cyprus Rally will be the most memorable yet. After the challenge of the Rally itself, to complete the weekend with this one-off 'shoot-out' between the world's best will make it an unforgettable experience for fans and drivers alike."

Chairman of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation Alecos Orountiotis welcomed this new initiative:
"Cyprus has built an enviable reputation for hosting world-class sporting events and we are especially proud to be hosting this exciting new event. Our island boasts many strengths, including its outstanding climate, its beautiful scenery, and its extensive range of facilities, and we are sure that the many fans of motorsport who will watch this event will also become fans of our beautiful island."

Organised under the auspices of the CAA, regulations and full details of the stage layout of the Golden Stage Rally will be published soon, giving teams plenty of time to prepare themselves for what is sure to be a new highlight of the international rally season.

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Cyprus Rally - 4-6 Nov 10