Rally Liepaja (Latvia) (J) - 7-8 Feb 15

BREEN/MARTIN STORM THROUGH THE SNOW FOR LATVIA ERC GOLD

Posted: December 19, 2015 1:25 PM

Craig Breen has won the second round of the 2015 FIA European Rally Championship, Rally Liepaja in Latvia, after a faultless drive in his Peugeot Rally Academy 208 T16.

Co-driven by Great Britain's Scott Martin, the 25-year old Irishman mastered the most difficult of winter conditions, with thawing ice and slippery wet snow on day one and heavy blizzards of snow and freezing fog on day two. Breen's last ERC win was on last March's Acropolis Rally in Greece, when he went on to give the 208 T16 a famous victory on its ERC debut.

"It was really a rally of attrition in tough conditions, but when we were pushing we were only beaten on one stage by 0.7s so we always had the speed," said Breen, who triumphed by 1m 40.7s. "Things changed very quickly but we stuck to our pace and this is an awesome result. You have to go back through the history books, to the 1960s, for the last time an Irishman won on snow. It's a big boost for me and after winning on gravel and Tarmac in Greece last year I've now won on snow so that makes me a bit of an all-rounder. Hopefully this will be the first of many this year and the championship challenge is very much back on. Who can forget the next rally of the year is the Circuit of Ireland and we'll be coming back there with a win under our belts just like last year."

With other R5 and Super 2000 crews hitting problems, an incredible results table sees three ERC2 contenders (R4 production cars) finishing in the top four and three ERC Juniors (R2) finishing in the top 10. Siim Plangi (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X) held second place from SS5 onwards, winning ER2 ahead of Dominykas Butvilas (Subaru Impreza WRX STI) to claim 7000 Euros in prize money. Even more extraordinary was the performance of the ERC Junior winner Emil Bergkvist, who finished sixth overall in his ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team Opel Adam R2.

Out of the top category four-wheel drive cars that did complete all the stages, Robert Consani (Peugeot 207 S2000) grew in confidence as the event progressed and was delighted to reach the finish in fifth to main his ERC title challenge. Rear axle problems on the final day couldn't stop Raul Jeets completing the top 10 in his MM-Motorsport Ford Fiesta R5, while Jaroslaw Koltun enjoyed a solid run in his Fiesta R5.

Martin Hudec's first international rally in a SKODA Fabia S2000 was rewarded with 19th, although spectators did have to rescue him after he went off the road on SS8. Antonin Tlustak lost a lot of time driving in heavy snow on the same stage, and finished 21st in his Fabia S2000.

For the drivers who returned under the Rally 2 rules, Alexey Lukyanuk showed what could have been had he not rolled his Chervonenko Racing Fiesta R5 on day one, by setting fastest time on five of day two's six stages.

Kajetan Kajetanowicz (LOTOS Rally Team Fiesta R5) also returned to gain experience of driving on snow and ice. The day points that the newly crowned ERC Ice Master scored also sees the Polish driver maintain his overall ERC lead by five points ahead of Breen and Consani.

After damaging a wheel on day one, Jaroslav Orsak returned the following day, but retired his Fabia S2000 on the road section to the third stage with engine failure ? while Giacomo Costenaro (Peugeot 207 S2000) to gain snow driving experience.

ERC2: Pacesetter Plangi dominates snow stages
Twenty-two-year old Estonian Siim Plangi led from start to finish, and set fastest class time on all but one stage, to win ERC2 by 3m47.7s in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. There was a tremendously close battle for second, with Janis Vorobjovs (Mitsubishi) and Dominykas Butvilas (Subaru Poland Rally Team Impreza WRX STI) tied for position after SS9. However, Vorobjovs lost 90s on the final stage when he hit a snow-covered ditch and picked up a puncture. He dropped to fourth, leaving Butvilas in second and Latvian MartinS Svilis ? who had received a 30s penalty for leaving service late at the end of day one ? third in his Mitsubishi. David Botka was delighted to finish fifth in his Lancer, while turbo problems delayed Krisztian Hideg, who came home sixth in his Evolution IX. lukasz Kabaciński survived a high-speed off on the last stage to secure seventh, while Tarmac ace Vojtěch Stajf was eighth in a similar Subaru. Inessa Tushkanova had several moments in her Mitsubishi, but survived to take the ERC Ladies' Trophy. Tomasz Kasperczyk restarted, but stopped again, this time with engine problems in his Subaru.

ERC3: Klausz shines in the Latvian snow
Hungarian teenager Krist?f Klausz was the best of the non-ERC Junior contenders eligible for ERC3 points on the final stage in his Renault Clio R3, after Aron Dom?ala lost a lead of 3m50s with by going off within sight of the finish. The Citro?n DS3 R3T was understandably distraught by the time he'd reached the flying finish, having lost over five minutes getting his car back on the road. Latvian World Rallycross Championship star Reinis NitiSs (Sports Racing Technologies Fiesta R2) completed his first rally in a very impressive 25th overall ? and just 3.1s behind Dom?ala. Round one winner Slawomir Ogryzek (Peugeot 208) rounded off the finishers after several delays early on.

ERC Junior: Brilliant Bergkvist wins in Latvia
Emil Bergkvist doubled his overnight lead to win the opening round of the ERC Junior Championship by 30.1s in his ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team Adam R2. The 20-year old Swede also finished an extraordinary sixth overall. Steve Rokland had a great run to second in his Peugeot, while Ralfs Sirmacis completed the ERC Junior podium for Sports Racing Technologies ? despite running fourth on the road on day one and finishing SS8 with two chicane marker tyres stuck underneath his 208's sump guard. The Latvian also earned the prestigious Colin McRae ERC Flat Out Trophy following his battling performance. Mattias Adielsson rolled his 208 after the flying finish of SS8 while battling for the lead, yet with considerable body damage and engine problems finished fourth. On his first snow rally, Jon Armstrong finished a strong fifth in his 208, one place ahead of Chris Ingram, who lost time when a gear selection problem resulted in his Peugeot UK entry momentarily stick in third gear and skid into a ditch on SS7. After crashing into a tree on day one, Diogo Gago gained a huge amount of experience by finishing all the stages in his bruised 208. Aleks Zawada had just set fastest time on SS6, when he slid his Opel Adam R2 at high speed into a ditch on SS7, punching a hole in its radiator. Wojciech Chuchala lost 20s in a ditch on SS7, and went off for good on the next stage, while lukasz Pieniążek crashed his similar 208 on the final stage. Rainer Rohtmets lost almost 20 minutes in a ditch on SS8, and withdrew on the road section after SS9 when his Citro?n C2R2 picked up an engine problem.

Results

Posted: December 19, 2015 1:23 PM

1 Craig Breen (IRL)/Scott Martin (GBR) Peugeot 208 T16 1h56m49.1s
2 Siim Plangi (EST)/Marek Sarapuu (EST) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X +1m40.7s
3 Dominykas Butvilas (LIT)/Kamil Heller (POL) Subaru Impreza WRX STI +5m48.6s
4 Martins Svilis (LVA)/Ivo Pukis (LVA) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X +6m39.2s
5 Robert Consani (FRA)/Maxime Vilmot (FRA) Peugeot 207 S2000 +6m51.5s
6 Emil Bergkvist (SWE)/Joakim Sjoberg (SWE) Opel Adam R2 +7m29.9s
7 Janis Vorobjovs (LVA)/Andris Malnieks (LVA) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X +7m58.0s
8 Steve ROkland (NOR)/James Aldridge (GBR) Peugeot 208 R2 +8m00.0s
9 Ralfs Sirmacis (LVA)/Artūrs ?imins (LVA) Peugeot 208 R2 +8m09.1s
10 Raul Jeets (EST)/Andrus Toom (EST) Ford Fiesta R5 +8m36.0s

Event Website: Liepaja-Ventspils (Latvia)

Breen aiming one step higher in Latvia.

Posted: February 2, 2015 10:05 PM

Fresh from his second place finish at WRC Rallye Monte Carlo, Peugeot Rally Academy driver Craig Breen heads back to the European Rally Championship this week for round two “Rally Liep?ja” (6th-8th February) in Latvia. Having twice previously finished on the second step of the podium using a Peugeot 207 S2000 here before it’s going to be a great opportunity for Craig and his co-driver Scott Martin to notch up their second ERC win for both themselves and the Peugeot 208 T16.

Not alone will it be Craig’s third time to compete on the rally it will be the team’s third winter rally already this year so confidence all round is high ahead of the event.

Since the rally joined the series in 2013 the route has been condensed considerably yet has grown in popularity. Despite freezing temperatures fans in huge numbers will be sure to line the 205.68Km that make up the twelve competitive gravel stages this year.

As customary on the ERC the Peugeot Rally academy crew will have the opportunity to choose their road order position first for leg one if they can guide their 208 T16 over a short 3km qualifying stage in the fastest time against their championship rivals on Friday. Last year Craig posted second fastest time and the chose to run fourteenth on the road as he felt this allowed him the best grip before the gravel surface beneath the snow began to deteriorate.

It’s a relatively relaxed start to Saturday with the first stage not due to go live until 11.30am. The cars will tackle another two stages in the Kuldïga region before returning for a mid-day service in Liep?ja. For the second loop of stages the crews will only have to tackle two of the morning’s three stage before arriving back for the overnight halt and a well-deserved rest.

It’s an earlier start on Sunday’s leg two and although the stage distance is shorter the Peugeot Rally academy crew will face seven tests broken by two trips to service before a new super special city stage in host city Liep?ja draws the rally to a close and the finish ramp shortly after four o’clock.

Before leaving for Latvia Craig said, “I’m really looking forward to the rally this year, with the confidence our second place in Monte Carlo has given me and our experience on the rally, we are determined to take a another win.”

You can keep up to date with Craig’s 2015 season by visiting www.craigbreen.com or www.peugeot-sport.com

ERC Ice Master to be crowned in Latvia where ERC Junior is go, go, go!

Posted: February 2, 2015 9:42 PM

A strong 51-car entry made up of drivers from 20 countries will contest round two of the 2015 FIA European Rally Championship next week, as the ice and snow-covered roads of Latvia play host to Rally Liep?ja.

In addition to the six R5 and five Super 2000 cars that will be gunning for overall glory, an exciting 16-car field will begin the eagerly awaited second ERC Junior Championship. The class for drivers born on or after 1 January 1988 competing in R2 cars on Michelin tyres has struck a chord with young stars across Europe, with drivers from nine countries and cars from Citroën, Opel and Peugeot on the starting line in Latvia.

After a successful debut in 2013, this will be the third time Rally Liep?ja has hosted a round of the ERC. It’s a gruelling winter rally, with daytime temperatures between -5°C and -15°C, night-time temperatures nearer -30°C, and a ferocious wind-chill thanks to the proximity of the Baltic Sea.

The itinerary will give competitors a sweat, with 12 stages totalling 205.68 kilometres in the wintry Liep?ja and Kuld?ga regions. After the Qualifying Stage on Friday 6 February, which will help determine the start order for leg one among the FIA and ERC priority drivers, Rally Liep?ja gets underway at 09h30 the following day. The opening leg contains five stages – including two runs over Kuldïga, which at 36.97 kilometres is the longest stage of the event. After 114.13km of competition a much welcome overnight halt will prepare crews for the final day of action on Sunday 8 February, where seven more stages (totalling 91.60km) will take place. The final stage will be a new super special city stage in host city Liep?ja, before the finish ceremony in nearby Rožu Square at 16h20.

Potential winners aplenty on ERC Rally Liep?ja

Predicting a Rally Liep?ja winner is impossible, such is the quality at the sharp end of the field. There’s no doubt that an on-form Kajetan Kajetanowicz (LOTOS Rally Team Ford Fiesta R5) will be a frontrunner following his dominance on round one in Austria, where he set fastest time on all but one stage in his Pirelli-shod car. The Pole could only finish fourth in Latvia last year, however. Robert Consani proved that the Peugeot 207 S2000 is a highly competitive car in the right hands, and another podium is within his capabilities. Alexey Lukyanuk (Chervonenko Racing Fiesta R5) came from 23rd position after problems on the opening stage to finish third in Austria – a feat that earned him the first Colin McRae ERC Flat Out Trophy of 2015 and sent a warning shot to all his rivals. Lukyanuk won the same award in Liep?ja in 2013.

With the ERC Ice Master trophy also up for grabs, Craig Breen (Peugeot Rally Academy 208 T16) will be keen to put his Austrian disappointment behind him and re-launch his ERC assault. Breen has finished on the podium both times in Latvia and returns searching for that illusive first win. Experienced Estonian Raul Jeets (MM-Motorsport Fiesta R5), Jaros?aw Koltun (C-Racing Fiesta R5), Jonathan Hirschi (208 T16), Antonín Tlusták (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) and GPD Orsák Rally Sport Fabia duo Martin Hudec and Tomáš Kurka will help make it a fascinating battle for victory.

ERC2 heats up in Latvia

Vojt?ch Štajf takes a nine-point ERC2 lead into Rally Liep?ja, courtesy of the Subaru Impreza WRX STI driver’s commanding victory in Austria. Krisztián Hideg had been leading the class for R4 production cars on the Jännerrallye when he crashed out. He returned under Rally 2 rules and set eight fastest stage times compared to Štajf’s nine, so the two appear evenly matched as they head to more snowy stages. Dávid Botka, lying second in ERC2, will be looking for another good run in his Mitsubishi, while former Lithuanian champion Dominykas Butvilas steps up from the Polish championship with backing from the company’s Subaru importer. Local hero J?nis Vorobjovs won this class in Latvia last year and returns aiming for back-to-back victories, as does fellow Mitsubishi driver Siim Plangi, who was excluded from the lead in 2014. Polish duo ?ukasz Kaba?inski and Tomasz Kasperczyk will also be in the fight for strong class points.

Latvia-bound giant-killer Ogryzek aims high again

S?awomir Ogryzek finished an impressive 11th overall in Austria, dominating the ERC3 class for R1, R2 and R3 cars in his Peugeot 208 R2. The Pole will be looking for another class win this time to extend his early lead. Hungarian teenager Kristóf Klausz will have a great chance to move up the ERC3 leaderboard in his Renault Clio R3, as will Grzegorz Sikorski (Honda Civic Type R). Ond?ej Bisaha will be keen to avoid a repeat of Austria, when two tractors had to rescue his Renault Clio R3 from a snow bank – although his speed on day two showed that he is a potential ERC3 winner. Both Aron Domzala (Citroën DS3 R3T), a former Junior WRC contender from Poland, and Russian Mikhail Skripnikov (Renault Clio R3) will be keen to get their first points on the board. All 16 ERC Junior contenders (see below) will also be eligible for ERC3 points.

ERC Junior field let loose on Latvia season-opener

A mouth-watering 16-car field will begin the ERC Junior Championship in Latvia, with a depth of young talent making it tough to pick a winner. Certainly triple Latvian R2 champion Ralfs Sirmacis will be a strong contender in his Sports Racing Technologies (SRT) Peugeot 208 R2, as will team-mate Vasily Gryazin. He finished second overall on Rally Liep?ja last year driving a Ford Fiesta S2000 but switches to ERC Junior for 2015. Steve Røkland (208 R2) led ERC Junior in Latvia last year before crashing out, but the Norwegian hopes his experience of the wintry conditions will help him win this time. ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team duo Marijan Griebel (Germany) and Emil Bergkvist (Sweden) will both be strong in their Adam R2s, while double Swedish R2 champion Mattias Adielsson starts his first ERC campaign in a 208 R2.

Promising Portuguese Diogo Gago won the junior section of the 208 Rally Cup in France last year and, like 2014 ERC Junior champion Stéphane Lefebvre before him, takes up his prize drive in ERC Junior. Britain’s Chris Ingram is the youngest driver ever to win the Colin McRae ERC Flat Out Trophy (2014 Circuit of Ireland) and returns to the ERC in a Peugeot UK-backed 208 R2. Poland’s Aleks Zawada has swapped his 208 for an Opel Motorsport-supported Adam R2 and following two podiums last year hopes to be a title challenger. Countryman and Silesian regional champion ?ukasz Pieni??ek (208 R2) is hoping that a recent training visit to John Haugland’s world-renowned Winter Rally School in Norway will help him in Liep?ja.

Rainer Rohtmets started rallying in 2007, and with almost 50 events under his belt the young Estonian driver hopes his experience will pay dividends in his Printsport-run Citroën C2R2 Max. RACB National Team driver Gino Bux makes only his 10th rally start – and his first on snow – as the young Belgian’s second season of competition starts in a Peugeot Belgium Luxembourg-entered 208 R2. Having previously rallied the likes of a Ford Fiesta R5 and Subaru Impreza, Wojciech Chuchala will drive a 208 R2 this year, while Julius Tannert enters an Opel Adam R2. Completing the list of rising stars will be Guillaume de Mevius (Belgium) and Northern Ireland’s Jon Armstrong – both will drive 208 R2s. Visit the Media Lounge section of Fiaerc.com for pre-event quotes from all ERC Junior drivers.

Latvian rallycross star set for ERC debut

Latvian rallycross sensation Reinis Nitišs will make his rally debut in Liep?ja driving a Ford Fiesta R2 prepared by Latvian team Sports Racing Technologies. The 19-year-old from J?kabpils finished third in the Supercar category of the FIA World Rallycross Championship in 2014, driving a World RX-spec Fiesta. His coach and co-driver will be Latvian rally champion M?ris Neikš?ns.
“Rally has a lot of unpredictable situations and the road surface can change at any second – this will help to develop my driving skills as I adjust to the varying conditions,” says Nitišs.
“My goal is to drive all the special stages in order to fully use the opportunity to learn and improve. In this rally I will not be fighting for the win, I will be in a fight with myself as there will definitely be situations that I will not have experienced before as a pilot.”

Snow debut for ERC returnee Costenaro

Giacomo Costenaro will begin his ERC campaign on Rally Liep?ja – the Italian’s first event on snow. Costenaro, who is co-driven by Justin Bardini and recently celebrated his 26th birthday, will drive a Delta Rally-prepared Peugeot 207 Super 2000. “For me rallying on snow is completely new and it will be a big challenge,” he says.

ERC registrations reach half-century

More than 50 registrations have been received for the 2015 ERC and that number is set to rise based on the current level of interest from drivers and teams. There are several benefits to registering such as receiving priority status, being eligible for the round-by-round prize fund, having access to the ERC Village in service parks and an attractive media package. Visit Fiaerc.com for more details.

Privateers aim for share of 200,000 Euro prize fund in the ERC

Another 20,000 Euros will be shared between the seven most successful privateers on Rally Liep?ja as part of ERC promoter Eurosport Events’ 200,000 Euros total prize fund for this year. Kajetan Kajetanowicz received the biggest cheque in Austria for 7000 Euros after securing victory and maximum ERC points to boot. To be eligible, drivers must register for the ERC, receive no manufacturer support*, use tyres from one of the three ERC partner companies (Michelin, Pirelli and Yokohama) and not compete in a Regional Rally Car. *Eurosport Events will determine privateer status in consultation with the manufacturer in question.

Advantage Kajetanowicz in ERC Ice Master

Kajetan Kajetanowicz not only leads the ERC standings following his victory on round one – he also tops the ERC Ice Master classification heading into the second and final scoring opportunity of the season. The LOTOS Rally Team ace bagged 176 points after he won all but one stage on the Internationale Jännerrallye powered by GaGa Energy earlier this month. Starting Rally Liep?ja, he holds a 76-point advantage over fellow Ford Fiesta R5 driver Alexey Lukyanuk, who took one stage best in Austria and 100 points. Jaromír Tarabus scored 56 points, Robert Consani 49 points, Stéphane Lefebvre 17 points, Craig Breen 11 points, Martin Fischeriehner three points with Jonathan Hirschi and Hermann Neubauer each taking one ERC Ice Master point. Along with the ERC Asphalt Master and ERC Gravel Master awards, the ERC Ice Master recognises the performances of surface specialists competing in the ERC. Points are awarded for each stage run on a scale of 10-6-4-2-1.

Q&A: VASILY GRYAZIN
The 21-year-old rising Russian star looks ahead to his ‘home’ round of the European championship as he makes his debut in ERC Junior.

You had some great performances early last year before illness kept you out of action. Are you okay now?
“Yes, I am okay now and ready to participate in FIA ERC Junior. I am fully fit again and looking forward to the season ahead.”

After competing in a car capable of winning rallies outright, you're now driving a Peugeot 208 R2. What has made you decide to take this step back in performance?
“The reason why I will go with a Peugeot 208 R2 is that my target this year is to win the FIA ERC Junior Championship and get the prize. My plan then is to participate in the ERC in 2016 with an R5 car. For sure this year I will do the best I can.”

You're registered for ERC Junior. What is your schedule for the 2015 season and what is your ultimate aim?
“The schedule for this year includes many tests, so I will be in a good condition for all six rounds of the Junior championship. If it is possible, I will also participate in some local Latvian rally championship rounds too.”

Tell us about your Andros Trophy programme – what was the reason by behind taking part in that series and what has it taught you?
“Taking part in the Andros Trophy was only for experience. I enjoy driving on snow and ice, and to race on that surface was very interesting and good fun.”

And what about Rally Liep?ja – what do you think about this year’s route and tell us what you need to do to be fast on the event?
“This year’s route is, like always in Liep?ja, very nice and challenging. It’s very fast in places, technical in others, and you have to be precise at every moment. You cannot lose your concentration for one second, or you will be off in a snow bank. There is always good snow and ice, and the rally organisers are very experienced, so the event is well run. I really like the Latvian roads and I will do my best. Let's see.”

FIVE ERC RALLY LIEP?JA FACTS

1: This year marks a special anniversary for Liep?ja, which became the first city in Latvia to host a rally 50 years ago. It is welcoming the ERC back for a third time.
2: Siim Plangi will no doubt have his alarm clock set when he returns to Rally Liep?ja to contest the ERC2 class in a Mitsubishi Lancer. The Estonian was excluded from last year’s event ahead of leg two after oversleeping and arriving at parc fermé 15 minutes late.
3: The third largest city in Latvia, Liep?ja lies on a stretch of land between the Baltic Sea and Lake Liep?ja, connected by the Trade Canal. It also boasts the widest sandy beach in the country.
4: The people of Liep?ja know how to have fun: apart from the ERC rally they enjoy a large Summer Sound beach party each year as well as their own festival of speed, Rally Kurzeme.
5: Given Liep?ja’s location, it’s not surprising that fish is often on the menu, but other popular Latvian dishes include boiled potatoes with quark (cheese), oat and pea kissels, grey peas with salted pork fat and asins pank?kas (pancakes made from blood!).

ON THIS EVENT IN 2014…

Esapekka Lappi began what was to be a title-winning ERC campaign with victory in his ŠKODA Motorsport Fabia Super 2000. The Flying Finn finished 34.7s ahead of Vasily Gryazin – whose stunning performance in his Ford Fiesta S2000 earned the young Russian the Colin McRae ERC Flat Out Trophy. Craig Breen claimed the final podium spot in his last appearance in the Peugeot Rally Academy 207 S2000, before he switched to the new 208 T16. Kajetan Kajetanowicz took fourth in his LOTOS Rally Team Ford Fiesta R5 with Sepp Wiegand completing the top five for ŠKODA AUTO Deutschland. A damaged Citroën DS3 RRC engine forced Bryan Bouffier out of the lead, while Jaromír Tarabus crashed his Fabia S2000. Czech rising star Jan ?erný made history by winning the inaugural round of the ERC Junior Championship in his Peugeot 208 R2, with Finn Risto Immonen (Citroën C2R2) and Norway’s Petter Kristiansen (ŠKODA Fabia R2) joining him on the podium. J?nis Vorobjovs came from fourth after leg one to claim victory in the FIA ERC Production Car Cup, while glamour model Inessa Tushkanova secured ERC Ladies’ Trophy honours at her first attempt. She will make her second Rally Liep?ja start in 2015.

Entry List

Posted: January 29, 2015 10:38 AM

Rally Liepaja (Latvia) (J) - 6-8 Feb 15 - ENTRY LIST

Europe’s fastest rally drivers getting ready for Rally Liep?ja.

Posted: January 10, 2015 11:18 AM

The organisers of Rally Liep?ja, the second event of the 2015 FIA European Rally Championship (ERC), have received official applications from 21 crew, including two from Peugeot Rally Academy, which will be represented by Craig Breen from Ireland and Diogu Gagu from Portugal. Lotos Rally Team driver Kajetan Kajetanowicz, who claimed a dominant victory in the first FIA ERC event of the year, will also start in Liepaja. Multiple notable local drivers will also be taking part, including the 2014 Latvian rally champion J?nis Vorobjovs. Registration for Rally Liepaja is open until January 22, while the race itself will take place on the roads near Liepaja and Kuldiga between February 6 and 8.

In the most prestigious all-wheel drive class, containing both R5 and S2000 cars, there are currently four entries. Two of those have been from last years’ top drivers – Kajetanowicz (Ford Fiesta R5) who was fourth overall in the ERC, and Breen (Peugeot 208 T16 R5), who was third, finishing just behind the two Škoda Motorsport drivers – Esapekka Lappi and Sepp Wiegand. Another Peugeot 208 T16 R5 will be driven by Jonathan Hirschi, the Swiss driver who is better known as a successful circuit racer. The Italian driver, Giacomo Costenaro, will be trying to match the pace of these three with a Peugeot 207 S2000. As a reminder – the legendary French driver François Delecour managed to finish third overall in a similar car two years ago here.

NR4 class, which is among the favorites for the local fans and drivers, already has five applications. The aforementioned Vorobjovs and Alexander Gorelov (Russia) will be driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, while Dávid Botka (Hungary) will be at the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX. The remaining two entries are from Subaru Impreza drivers – Tomasz Kasperczyk from Poland and Vojtech Stajf (Czech Republic), who clinched the 2013 Czech Republic rally championship title in Class 3.

Two more Latvian drivers have already registered – Em?ls Bl?ms, who will be representing LMT Autosporta Akademija, and Danila Belokons. Both of them will be driving Ford Fiesta R2 cars.

Rally Liepaja will also be the first event in the ERC Junior championship, for which there are currently five entries - Steve Røkland (Norway), Diogo Gagu (Portugal), Jon Armstrong (Great Britain), Julius Tannert (Germany), and Marijan Griebel (Germany). While their official entries have not yet been sent, it is already known that ERC Junior will have at least two more contestants this season – Ralfs Sirmacis and Vasily Gryazin, both of whom will be driving identical Peugeot 208 R2 cars prepared by Latvian rally team Sports Racing Technologies.

As always, the two-wheel drive classes of R2 and R3 have attracted a lot of interest, with 12 entries already and having drivers and co-drivers from 12 different counties. These crews also have a very varied list of cars – Ford Fiesta, Opel Adam, Peugeot 208, Renault Clio, and Škoda Fabia.

Rally Guide / Website / Details

Posted: December 26, 2014 9:54 AM

Liepaja-Ventspils (Latvia)

European Rally Championship (ERC) - fiaerc.com