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SStarttart RampRamp Pierre Campana talks about his IRC pace SServiceervice ParkPark WilliamsWilliams sshineshines forforTeam Team SASOLSASOL on HMC HMC RallyRally PParcarc FermeFerme IRC rally reviewed

““TheThe BTABTA RallyRally TalsiTalsi 2011,2011, isis regardedregarded asas thethe “Champion’s“Champion’s rally”rally” becausebecause actualactual championschampions fromfrom ddifferentifferent countriescountries competecompete againstagainst eacheach otherother herehere toto fi ndnd outout who’swho’s thethe fastest”fastest” - LigaLiga Stirna,Stirna, p15.p15.

The world’s only free dedicated rally eMagazine - every Friday! CContentsontents IIssuessue 183183 • 2020 MayMay 20112011 0044 STARTSTART RRAMPAMP 04 Start Ramp - News Shorts 05 Fan Foto Featured: Tor Andre Borresen 0066 SERVICESERVICE PARKPARK 06 Croatia Rally starts this weekend 06 Williams shines for Team SASOL onm HMC Rally 07 Strong debut for R4 Lancer Evo X 08 Welcome, South Africa’s international visitors! 1100 PARCPARC FERMEFERME 10 SARC: HMC Rally review 12 IRC: Tour de Corse review 13 RA: Orgeon Trail Rally review 14 Rally Sorland review 15 Rally Talsi review

EEDITORIALDITORIAL INFORMATIONINFORMATION CCONTACTONTACT Editor Evan Rothman E-mail us [email protected] Call us +27 83 452 6892 Surf us http://wp.me/pkXc

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Team News Event News SStarttart RampRamp Videos Breaking News Yokohama tyre compounds, which gave Sabrina and I set ourselves some very YouTube us a lot of good information.” clear targets and that was to take each Arai will return to IRC action on stage one at a time without worrying explodes with Sata Rallye Acores from 14-16 July when about the end result too much. This will fi eld a second Impreza for approach really helped keep us all SA Rally videos Fumio Nutahara. H&H focussed and concentrated, allowing us to deal with problems swiftly and Words: Evan Rothman professionally. Of course, it is unlikely Pierre Campana that we can experience 14 stages of a RapidMotion TV, the producers tough rally like Tour de Corse without of the South African Rally speaks on his experiencing some problems, but we Championship’s TV broadcasts, put were able to work well to minimise together these fi ve video clips over IRC pace the disruption to our programme – the course of the HMC Rally this past and that made a huge difference. The weekend. Words: Staff Writer performance of the Michelin tyres was Click on the following URL links also excellent and consistent throughout to watch these entertaining clips: Corsican rally driver Pierre Campana • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q7Z-7mu8q0 on a tough surface.” • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qDkDfRso8U has been inundated with positive • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuGT-FfomPo feedback following his incredible Q: Were there any standout stages • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv9rHcOQW1U fourth place fi nish at last weekend’s • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXD6hiPMAco for you? IRC Tour de Corse. A: “We had a few handling issues in the The broadcasts for SuperSport have The 26-year-old enjoyed a opening stages that required us to drive as not been fi nalised as Handbrakes competitive and consistent Tour on home around a few problems to maintain pace & Hairpins is completed for this week, soil, extracting the full performance in the top six. The fi rst three stages on but schedules will be posted to our web potential out of both himself and the the second day were also quite tough space at http://wp.me/pkXc early next Michelin-shod car, but after the team made changes to the week. fi ghting regularly amongst the front- rear shocks at service I felt that I had a Handbrakes & Hairpins also runners. perfect car underneath me. It was from released videos to YouTube of the rally Campana put in a tremendous that moment that we were able to show action, and our videos can be found at: trouble-free performance with numerous our real pace. The crash of the zero car • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF0xhbj-eb4 highlights, of which SS7, SS9 and in SS6 was unfortunate and I hope that • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExXKoxAmSpA SS13 were particularly memorable. Ari is continuing to recover well. SS7 SS7 saw him fi nish fourth in stage went well and we set the fourth best Enjoy the videos! H&H after improvements made to the car’s time and then, on the fi nal day, we had handling. SS9 was his best stage a really strong SS9 in second place. performance in terms of fi nishing Generally, though, I was pleased with Arai confi dent of position, ending in second place, while the quick and consistent pace that we SS13 saw him fi nish just seconds behind showed throughout the entire event. The improved pace the stage leader. fact we were always with the lead group is what has pleased me most; I think our Words: Staff Writer Q: Pierre, has your achievement speed and consistency is what people from last weekend sunk in yet? have noticed more than anything.” Japanese star Toshi Arai is confi dent A: “I have fi nally had time to refl ect on that the pace of his Yokohama- our performance from last week and Q: What’s next for you? equipped WRX STI it was defi nitely the highlight of my A:“One of our key hopes for Tour de will improve as he continues his rallying career to date. To have had Corse was to use it as a platform to Intercontinental Rally Challenge the chance to compete in a home rally demonstrate our potential and to open campaign this year. around the streets of my home town up a new door for my career. I hope Driving the new R4-specifi cation was an amazing feeling and I will never that there are manufacturers out there Impreza, Arai took part in what he forget the support of the home fans and who have now seen what I can do, in described as “a very long test session” supporters. I was also lucky to have the a tough rally against tough opposition, on last week’s Tour de Corse-E.Leclerc. backing of a number of partners and and who are willing to give me a chance He believes that the lessons learned supporters who made the participation to prove myself. With the Tour de Corse indicate a strong future for Subaru in the possible. From Munaretto, Sparco, VP result and the result from Rally Monte- series. Racing Fuel, and under the watchful Carlo earlier in the year, I think I have “This was a very long test eye of , as well as Perin, shown myself to be a worthy opponent session,” said Arai, who fi nished 13th Quotidia and my management team, I’d and a valuable addition to any outfi t. overall on the island rally. “We were [in like to say thanks to everyone for the I am also keen to show what I can do Corsica] to learn and to improve the support which made this result possible.” on an international stage and on gravel car. We didn’t know so much about this surfaces, so that is something I can’t car on Tarmac because we only tested Q: What was your approach to the wait to achieve.” H&H once in Austria. We have done our work event? on gravel, where we know we can be A: “Together with the Munaretto team, strong. We are also trying different

THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF RALLYING RallyBuzz.com features European rally championships, British rallying, RallyCar events, international rally results and videos, as well as S2000 and WRC news. www.RallyBuzz.com Issue 183• 20 May 2011 • Page 05

FFanan FotoFoto Featured:Featured: TorTor AndreAndre BBørresenørresen WWRCRC RallyRally d’Iltaliad’Iltalia SardegnaSardegna JJari-Mattiari-Matti Latvala/MiikaLatvala/Miika NattilaNattila (Ford(Ford AbuAbu DhabiDhabi WorldWorld RallyRally Team)Team) CCamera:amera: CanonCanon EOSEOS 7D7D IImagemage Data:Data: f/8.0;f/8.0; ISOISO 100;100; 16mm16mm focalfocal length;length; 1/250th1/250th secsec

Exciting changes for IRC’s Rally of Scotland Words: Staff Writer and Drummond Hill featuring minor Rally of Scotland a must-see event route changes from 2010. The second and we hope that as many people as RACMSA Rally of Scotland organisers Drummond Hill stage will take place possible will come out to support the have revealed several exciting under the cover of darkness prior to the event in October,” said Andrew Coe, changes to the route of their overnight halt at Perth Airport. Chief Executive of event organiser Intercontinental Rally Challenge Sunday’s stages are contained International Motor Sports. qualifi er scheduled to run from 7 - 9 in Stirlingshire and the action begins Rally of Scotland forms round October. with a third run through the Carron 11 of the 12-event IRC series. H&H Following the ceremonial start Valley stage. Crews then head to the at Stirling Castle on Friday 7 October, Loch Chon and High Corrie stages, which crews will tackle two runs in the dark of incorporate sections of the Loch Ard test, the all-new nine-kilometre Carron Valley and are split by a remote service halt stage through the forests around the in Callander. High Corrie is the longest Carron Reservoir. stage of the rally at 27 kilometres. Action resumes on Saturday The event draws to a close at 8 October from Perth Airport and Scone Palace where two short stages will feature famous gravel tests and the ceremonial fi nish will take place. such as Craigvinean, Drummond Hill “I sincerely believe that and Errochty. All stages are based what is in store in 2011 for teams, in the county of Perthshire and will drivers, offi cials, sponsors and, most be run twice with both Craigvinean importantly, the public, will make the

TTHISHIS WEEK’SWEEK’S BESTBEST VIDEOVIDEO << Here is a video tribute to Henri Toivonen from 1986, with scenes of the rally legend in action on the world’s stages for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSu2EYrj0Wc Send [email protected] your favourite rally- related videos to to be featured in this section. Or, send us a twitter to @Evan_Rothman or a message on Facebook. To receive your FREE weekly HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS eMagazine, or if you’d like to share this with a friend please send your e-mail address to [email protected]. HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS is not a SPAM e-mail: email addresses are added to the mailing list voluntarily. Interviews Profi les SServiceervice PParkark Features Technical

Croatia Rally starts this weekend

Words: Staff Writer Pictures: Archive

There’s a a legitimate satisfaction for the organisers of the Croatia Rally who have a total of 59 entries in this event, an uncommon fi gure for the country of which about half are foreign crews. Williams shines for Team SASOL There are 16 crews registered for the FIA European Rally Championship Words: Staff Writer an hour. We had a wrong slot in SS10 (ERC), including all the main candidates Pictures: Evan Rothman which cost us 25sec, but I was able to for the 2011 title, starting with the fi ght with and hold off people like Enzo reigning European champion and current Jon Williams and Cobus Vrey top- (Kuun) and Giniel (de Villiers) which leader of the series, Luca Rossetti and scored for Team Sasol on the third is very encouraging for me”, Williams Matteo Chiarcossi on the Grande Punto round of the South African Rally added. , the 2006, 2009 and 2010 Championship, claiming their best Williams’ sixth place helped European Rally Champion car. result since returning to the sport Ford take the Manufacturer’s prize on In the rally there will be behind the wheel of their Sasol Ford the event. a contingent of all the main S2000 Fiesta S2000. It was a frustrating Cronje/Houghton had a steady models: Abarth Grande Punto, Ford event for Mark Cronje and Robin start to the rally, setting competitive Fiesta, Peugeot 207 and Skoda Fabia. Houghton, who ended two places times well inside the top ten until the Among the favourites for the overall further back in the twin Team Sasol clutch started to slip as the Fiesta victory is the two-time European Ford Fiesta, hampered by clutch headed to the overnight parc ferme. champion Renato Travaglia, former problems throughout the 170km Faced with a probable 130sec Italian national champions Piero Longhi route. A superb SS4 win – by just penalty for service lateness if they opted and Andrea Dallavilla, former European 0.2sec – helped Williams to sixth to change the component, or race on 2WD champion, Czech Anton Tlustak, overall on the fi nal timesheets knowing they would not be at their peak former Bulgarian champion Dimitar and lifted him to seventh in the and lose time to their rivals, Cronje and Iliev and outstanding drivers such as Championship ranks, just one Houghton chose the latter option. Polish Maciej Oleksowicz, Italian Luca point behind the defending factory “On Saturday morning, the Betti, Pole Szymon Ruta, Frenchman Volkswagen Champion Enzo Kuun. clutch pedal went to the fl oor,” Houghton Cyril Vosalho, Croats Niko Pulic and “I’m very happy with the result. explained. “We bled the clutch before Juraj Šebalj, Slovenian Rok Turk and It was a good drive and the team made the start of every stage. We could only Hungarian Janos Szylagyi. real progress. I had a clean day on start on half throttle and over the last It is worth noting that thanks Friday and decided to have a push early fi ve stages, we used the starter button to the organisers’ decision to offer on Saturday to see what would happen. to get going. There were a lot of hairpins free entry for female crews, there will The second Saturday stage was very and we couldn’t use the handbrake to be two such teams at the start, one rough over the second half and I lost a fl ick the car around. I would call it a from Bulgaria, Ekaterina Sratieva and lot of time there because I backed off scrappy rally.” Blagovesta Milanova and one from over the jumps which were harsh. We “It was diffi cult to commit to Croatia, Lana Sutlović and Anamarija dropped to eighth after that stage and corners knowing that if we ran wide Pozojević. I need to learn how hard I can push we could be out of the rally. It’s one of The Croatia Rally is valid for the car in similar conditions”, Williams those things I must take on the chin,” the FIA European Rally Championship, related at the Emalahleni fi nish. said Cronje. “We have a lot of work the FIA Central European Trophy, for the “I was rattled by Hergen’s to do but we’re headed in the right Croatian Regional Rally Championship accident [the VW crew hit a direction. We’ll get there.” and for the Croatian Rally Championship. photographer]. We were the next car The next outing for Team Sasol The competition, based in to arrive and the stage was stopped, Ford Fiesta is the Toyota Dealer Rally Rijeka, will be held this weekend. H&H leaving us standing around for nearly Gauteng on 10 - 11 June. H&H Issue 183 • 20 May 2011 • Page 07

Strong debut for MML Sports R4 Lancer Evo X

Words: Evan Rothman behind Georg Gross’s Focus RS WRC. – so to claim three scratch times is Picture: Jim Blackstock Communications The two crews traded positions no less fantastic. than fi ve times over the weekend, but “We hoped the R4 car would Pundits always herald the on the fi nal stage Ketomaa struck a rock have potential, but this weekend introduction of a new rally car and instantly punctured his tyre. He lost it’s been a lot quicker than we had with caution. Great for the sport, nearly 03min 30sec and dropped from anticipated and we still have a lot of new rally machines are welcomed. second to ninth overall. options to test so I am confi dent that However, issues of reliability often Commenting at the fi nish, MML we could get even more speed from it. blight the success of its debut. When Sports Managing Director John Easton, The R4 specifi cation is already between a team and manufacturer get it right said: “It seems like luck wasn’t on our 0.5sec and 0.75sec per kilometre faster though, as MML Sports has, it is a side. Jari was defi nitely on for second than our Group N version over the same treat to witness. place, potentially the win, but the rock in stages. MML Sports recorded a stunning the road put paid to that. Coincidentally, “I think our next event could competition debut for its R4 specifi cation the usual Group N winner also hit the either be here in Latvia or possibly, Mitsubishi Lancer Lancer Evolution X. same rock and suffered the same fate, south Estonia again with Jari. Ott Tanak At the hands of former Finnish Rally so at least Jari was in good company! will be doing Estonia in the Fiesta S2000, Champion Jari Ketomaa, the third round “Even though we didn’t get so hopefully we could get a better idea of the Latvian Rally Championship was the result we felt we should have, I am of the car’s pace against a top driver in a the scene for this fi rst outing. The Rally extremely encouraged by the pace the top car. Talsi (of which there is a full event car has shown. To be here after just “I guess everyone is report elsewhere in this issue) saw the a short pre-event test and be fi ghting disappointed that we didn’t get a podium MML Sports Lancer Evo X R4 running at with a pair of World Rally Cars on our R4 result this weekend, but the pace and the front of the fi eld and was running Lancer Evo X debut is very gratifying. We reliability of the car have been superb. in second place overall behind a WRC- were treating this event as effectively On balance, I’d say this is an excellent specifi cation Ford Focus RS WRC. Hitting a test – we have carried out very little debut.” H&H a rock on the fi nal stage, only 07sec development running post-homologation Issue 183 • 20 May 2011 • Page 08

Welcome, South Africa’s international visitors

Words: Evan Rothman Africa before heading over to Europe sensationally fi nished seventh overall in Picture: Patrick Vermaak to compete in the Pirelli-backed series the WRC Rally d’Italia Sardegna to fi nish in 2009, piloted a Volkswagen Polo ahead of WRC cars. The needs no S2000. His driving skill and determined Team SASOL, the latest and introduction to South African (and personality saw him fi ght for a in quickest privateer team to enter into international) rally fans. This the South African Rally Chmapionship the hotly contested Class S2000, has mighty machine built by M-Sport in for 2011, after he was unable to secure been gaining on the factory entries the United Kingdom has swept to a drive in time for start of the 2010 from Volkswagen and Toyota in the last numerous rally victories the world season. This is his fi rst season back in three events. This team was launched over in the most trying conditions. action after more than a year out of a one week ahead of the start of the With the likes of , rally car and his performance on this season, and at the team’s launch Markko Jari-Matti Latvala and Matthew past weekend’s HMC Rally where he Martin presented the cars to drivers Jon Wilson as test and development claimed sixth position overall. Williams and Mark Cronje. Martin has no drivers for this rally car, it comes as In this article’s accompanying direct role in the team, but he has taken no surprise to see its superior form photographs, the gentleman sitting Jon Williams under his wing… on stages and leading rallies. alongside Williams may look familiar Jon’s fi rst session in the car was Jon Williams needs no to some eagle-eyed World Rally with Markko in the car alongside him, introduction to rally enthusiasts the Championship fans: Markko Martin. pushing him and offering insight into the world over, but a little refreshing will do Martin was factory Ford WRC driver car and driving skill. What more could no harm. As winner of the Pirelli Star alongside double WRC Champion Marcus you ask for? Markko and Jon spent a Driver selection in 2008, he contested Gronholm. After his retirement from the day putting the car through its paces, the inaugural Pirelli Star Driver series WRC as a driver, Martin busied himself and such guidance from a driver as over selected rounds of the World Rally as development driver with the Subaru experienced and knowledgeable from Championship in a Mitsubishi Lancer World Rally Team and he turned his Markko has proven its value. With each Evolution IX. In fact, this talented attention to mentoring up-and-coming successive stage, Jon is moving closer to driver came out tops in this challenge! young drivers. His latest protégé is the podium! H&H Williams, a rising rally talent in South Ott Tanak, the Estonian driver who G.B.S Survivors’ Network Southern Africa

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This support group offers patients and survivors of G.B.S. (Guillain-Barré Syndrome) and C.I.D.P. (Chronic Infl ammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy) with: • emotional support and informational booklets • hospital/rehab visits to patients (when possible) • online network at http://gbsrsa.wordpress.com

Your South African GBS/CIDP Foundation International Chapter is led by: •Evan Rothman •http://gbsrsa.wordpress.com •[email protected] •083 452 6892

GBS/CIDP Foundation International 104 1/2 Forest Avenue The Holly Building Narberth, PA 19072 www.gbs-cidp.org Event Reports PParcarc FFermeerme Results

Rautenbach mugs Wilken to win the HMC Rally Words: Evan Rothman Dusty, loose sand and slippery corners Pretoria to a hospital, where he currently Pictures: Evan Rothman proved demanding for all competitors, remains under medical care as he battles as a handful number of crews were for his life. Mugged: to attack and rob someone already seen on the Retirement List after The action resumed on SS7 in a public place. This dictionary 41.75km of competition. Come the end as Gemmell not only won the stage but defi nition succinctly summarises this of this event, only 27 of the original 40 also moved up the leader board from past weekend’s HMC Rally. There’s starters reached the fi nish. fourth overall to second and to within not been a motorsport mugging Only 34.9sec separated the 04.6sec of Wilken. Rautenbach was more dramatic than that of Conrad top ten on the overall classifi cation in third position, only 03.6sec further Rautenbach/Nicolas Klinger (G-Fuel after Day One, but what was even adrift. After a short Service, crews Ford Fiesta S2000) on Charl Wilken/ more impressive was that the top eight were sent out to attack SS8 and SS9, Greg Godrich (Basil Read/Bizhub were spread out by less than 20sec. Of and the Wilken versus Rautenbach Ford Fiesta S2000), and never has the top ten crews on Day One’s leader battle kicked into a higher gear. The the old adage of ‘it ain’t over til its board, only fi ve were factory-backed young Zimbabwean set the fastest over’ rung more true than here. while the other fi ve were privateer stage time through SS8 and inched to After a superlative performance entries. This message was to be re- within 05.9sec of Wilken and 01.9sec on Day One and Two of the HMC Rally, iterated on Day Two’s eight stages and behind second-placed Gemmell. Wilken Round Three of the South African Rally 130.76km of stage distance. responded in SS9 with another fastest Championship, Wilken had impressed Seemingly proving this stage time and was able to add a on his Class S2000 rivals his ever- journalist’s point, Jon Williams/Cobus couple of seconds to his lead over the increasing pace. The factory entries from Very (Team SASOL Ford Fiesta S2000 chasing Gemmell and Rautenbach. Volkswagen and Toyota seemingly had won SS4, while Hergen Fekken/Pierre Leeroy Poulter/Elvene Coetzee (Castrol no answer for the privateer Ford Fiestas Arries (BP Ultimate Volkswagen Polo Team Toyota Auris S2000) who were this event, as Rautenbach and Wilken Vivo S2000) and Johnny Gemmell/Drew running in fourth position all weekend were locked in a stage-for-stage slug-out Sturrock (Castrol Toyota Auris S2000) were struck with alternator problems, for the overall victory. won SS5 and SS7 respectively. All other losing over 12min to their competitors Rautenbach was the fi rst stages were claimed by Wilken (four in SS9 and effectively ended their competitor to run over Day One’s wins) and Rautenbach (three scratch points-scoring run at the HMC Rally. This three stages, and in SS1 and SS2 the times) over the event’s eleven scheduled eased the pressure for the top three Zimbabwean driver was able to maintain tests. competitors as they entered the fi nal the slimmest of margins over Wilken. Day Two’s third stage, SS6, was two stages of the event, allowing them In SS3, a 20.38km speed test, Wilken cancelled when Hergen Fekken struck to fully concentrate on the battle for the was able to capitalise on Rautenbach’s a photographer. The event was put on win. road-sweeping duties to clear the hold while emergency medical personnel 8.9sec lay between Rautenbach Zimbabawean driver and the rest of the attended to the severely injured Deon and two crews between him and the fi eld by 07.3sec at the overnight halt. van der Merwe. He was airlifted to rally lead. In SS10, a 17.31km-long Issue 183 • 20 May 2011 • Page 11

stage, Rautenbach fl oored his rivals proved to be within grasp of winning The two Pirtek Peugeot 207 when he posted not only the fastest this event and of securing more podium S2000s of Hein Lategan/Johan van stage time but also leapfrogged the two positions and points, but Poulter/ der Merwe and Visser du Plessis/ leaders to claim the overall lead with Coetzee’s unfortunate mechanical Gerhard Snyman once again started off a 03.8sec advantage. This incredibly problems put paid to those plans. promisingly, but mechanical woes left hot pace saw Gemmell drop off in this Team Total in Class S2000 have them fi ghting for position outside of the stage to 34.2sec behind the leader and left their mark and have also been the top ten. Once the teething problems with only 01.5sec ahead of fourth-placed privateers to take the fi ght to the factory these machines have been sorted out, Jan Habig/Robert Paisley (BP Ultimate crews that have for so long dominated they will undoubtedly be challenging for Volkswagen Polo Vivo S2000). this sport. Jean-Pierre Damseaux/ more Championship points. With only 4.67km remaining Carolyn Swan (Team Total Toyota RunX Handbrakes & Hairpins will feature all and only 03.8sec between the two S2000) were running as high as eighth the action from the Junior Championship leaders, SS11 was nail-biter to say on SS8 and were looking to secure in next week’s issue. The next event on the least. Wilken blitzed the stage to more valuable Championship points, but the South African Rally Championship’s win it, but Rautenbach only allowed the their car struck a mielie plant that calendar is the Toyota Dealer Rally – the other Ford Fiesta S2000 driver to left their windscreen shattered. This Gauteng on 10 – 11 June. H&H close to within 02.5sec of his lead. distracted Damseaux only momentarily This his second win of the season has to run wide into a corner and to roll their consolidated his position atop the rally machine as they fought to keep Drivers’ Standings, now 18 points clear the car on the road. The crew recovered of Johnny Gemmell in second position. well to fi nish the event 11th overall. The team most impressive over Teammates Mohammed Moosa/Grant the course of the weekend was Team Martin in a similar Toyota RunX S2000 SASOL of Jon Williams/Cobus Very and were left to rue a weekend that could OVERALL CLASSIFICATION Mark Cronje/Robin Houghton (both have been. They saw their rally take 01) C. Rautenbach/N. Klinger Ford Fiesta S2000 - 01h 37m 01.5s piloting M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000s). a turn for the worse on Day One with 02) C. Wilken/G. Godrich With their performance improving severe clutch problems that meant the Ford Fiesta S2000 + 02.5s on each round, this team is now in a crew had to start SS2 and SS3 on their 03) J. Gemmell/D. Sturrock Toyota Auris S2000 + 35.1s position to attack for podium-paying starter motors. The oil circulation feeder 04) J. Habig/R. Paisley positions. Their rivals have been warned! pump failed and the squad scrambled to Volkswagen Polo Vivo S2000 + 45.4s The BP Ultimate Volkswagen change this part on their car’s gearbox 05) H. Fekken/P. Arries Volkswagen Polo Vivo S2000 + 50.9s Polo Vivo S2000s of Fekken/Arries, and incurred a 01min time penalty for 06) J. Williams/C. Vrey Habig/Paisley and Enzo Kuun/Guy lateness. Day Two started off strongly Ford Fiesta S2000 + 01m 17.7s Hodgson and backed by Giniel de for the crew, posting impressively quick 07) G. de Villiers/R. Pitchford Volkswagen Polo Vivo S2000 + 01m 21.0s Villiers/Ralph Pitchford were not stage times. Their hard work was erased 08) M. Cronje/R. Houghton able to mount a serious challenge by brake problems and a snapped Ford Fiesta S2000 + 01m 45.3s this past weekend, but are not to be sideshaft. This crew brought their Toyota 09) E. Kuun/G. Hodgson Volkswagen Polo Vivo S2000 + 02m 28.9s underestimated. Their factory team RunX S2000 to the fi nish in 12th position 10) N. Ryan/G. Tyrer counterparts at Team Castrol Toyota overall. Volkswagen Polo S2000 + 03m 02.5s Issue 183 • 20 May 2011 • Page 12

Neuville wins IRC’s Rally Corsica Words: Evan Rothman stage times in the next three stages, and S2000) scored points for the third event Picture: IRC Series this was enough for the youngster to running in eighth. The Finn had to limp consolidate his lead to drive to the fi nish. through the fi nal stage with a broken The Intercontinental Rally Challenge Belgian ace “Fast” Freddy Loix gearbox. took ninth on could not become any more of a (Skoda Fabia S2000) pipped Andeas his IRC debut with Skoda Sweden with hotly contested series than it is at Mikkelsen (Skoda Fabia S2000) to Corsican Jean-Mathieu Leandri fi ghting the moment. Regular readers may third place overall, and Loix now also back from a front-right puncture on SS9 recall similar such words in January moves fi ve points clear in the Drivers’ to clinch the fi nal point. when reporting on the IRC’s Monte Championship. Toshi Arai brought Subaru’s Carlo Rally. This past weekend’s The massively experienced Loix R4-specifi cation Impreza to the fi nish IRC Tour de Corse reinforces my was in fact trailing Mikkelsen in fourth in 13th overall on its fi rst competitive argument. place, but the Norwegian rising star was outing. Florian Gonon landed IRC Bursting with talent, Thierry struck with a right front tyre puncture Production Cup honours in his N4 Neuville powered his Team Peugeot on SS12 that saw him drop more than Impreza with Corsican Pierre-Antoine Belgium-Luxembourg 207 S2000 to 03min as he struggled to replace the Guglielmi winning the IRC 2WD Cup in a victory with co-driver . damaged tyre. Mikkelsen was forced to Clio R3. Claiming his fi rst IRC victory, he also set settle for sixth overall. Guy Wilks unfortunately slid off the record for being the youngest ever A puncture on Day Two also the road while in third overall on Day IRC event winner in its fi ve-year history. robbed Bryan Bouffi er of a podium Three’s second stage. He was unable to The 22-year-old driver said: “This is an result, but after fi ghting back to fourth get his Peugeot 207 S2000 back onto incredible result after such a long rally. overall the Frenchman’s hard work the road, and was forced to retire from I never imagined I could win in the IRC became undone when he crashed out of the demanding rally. H&H so soon and never dreamed that I would the rally on the fi nal stage. win here in Corsica. But Nicolas and Handbrakes & Hairpins’ has followed OVERALL CLASSIFICATION I have done a great job together and the progress of Pierre Campana since 01) T. Neuville/N. Gilsoul the car has always been good. I’m very he shot to stardom in selected French Peugeot 207 S2000 - 03h 20m 51.0s happy.” rallies, and piloting a Peugeot 207 S2000 02) J. Kopecky/P. Stary Skoda Fabia S2000 + 15.5s The Tour de Corse, a technically for the fi rst time in the IRC, Campana 03) F. Loix/F. Miclotte demanding event, is best told from the didn’t disappoint here either. On his Skoda Fabia S2000 + 01m 02.6s point of Day Three’s action: the fi rst home rally, Campana grabbed fourth 04) P. Campana/S. de Castelli Peugeot 207 S2000 + 03m 59.1s two days of the event saw the crews overall, despite puncturing 5km into the 05) B. Magalhaes/P. Grave posturing and juggling for positions to fi nal stage. Peugeot 207 S2000 + 04m 28.2s set themselves up to attack for fi nal Increasingly faster with every 06) A. Mikkelsen/O. Floene Skoda Fabia S2000 + 04m 30.1s positions on Day Three’s afternoon loop IRC behind him is Frenchman Julien 07) J. Maurin/O. Ural of stages. Heading into these stages, Maurin (M-Spoirt Ford Fiesta S2000) M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000 + 04m 33.3s Neuville held an overnight lead of 23.4s who overcame brakes and tyre wear 08) T. Gardemeister/T. Suominen Skoda Fabia S2000 + 06m 33.3s over Jan Kopecky (Skoda Fabia S2000) problems to grab his fi rst IRC points. 09) P. Sandell/S. Parmander and Andreas Mikkelsen (Skoda Fabia Bruno Magalhaes was also hindered Skoda Fabia S2000 +8m28.8s S2000). This leg was the longest of the by brake problems this past weekend, 10) J-M. Leandri/P. Marien Leonardi rally too at 138.44km. but the Peugeot 207 S2000 driver from Peugeot 207 S2000 + 09m 41.5s Kopecky posted the fastest Portugal was able to fi nd his confi dence IRC Production Cup: F. Gonon/S. Arlettaz stage time on the day’s opening speed behind the steering wheel to claim fi fth Subaru Impreza WRX test to shrink Neuville’s lead to 14.5s. place overall. IRC 2WD Cup: P-A. Guglielmi/J-F Porcu Neuville fought back to claim the fastest Toni Gardemeister (Skoda Fabia Renault Clio R3 Issue 183 • 20 May 2011 • Page 13

Higgins wins again in Rally America Words: Staff Writer forced to retire on SS8 due to persisting Darrow fi nished behind Van Way, taking Picture: Subaru Rally Team USA fuel pump problems. Another notable fourth in Class and 13th overall. retirement was Subaru Rally Team The Oregon Trail Rally ran one Subaru Rally Team USA’s David USA’s Dave Mirra and co-driver Marshall Northwest Regional event on each day of Higgins and co-driver Craig Clarke, who were in third overall before the event. Carl Decker and Adam Craig Drew took a commanding win Saturday’s stages before crashing out on won the ‘Wagons Ho!’ Regional hosted at the Oregon Trail Rally, Round SS6. at Portland International Raceway with Four of the 2011 Rally America Super Production (SP) driver 27.4sec over Brian Svedin and co-driver Championship. Ramana Lagemann and co-driver Teresa Buren. Mark Tabor and co-driver Higgins fi nished 03min 26.9sec Chrissie Beavis completed the overall Ben Bradley placed third. ahead of rival Antoine L’Estage and National podium by fi nishing a distant Brian Svedin and Teresa Buren won ten of the fi fteen stages. It was third, despite having engine issues on won the ‘Shunpikur Stages’ Regional a tight battle with David Higgins, but day one. Lagemann also took the SP held on Day Two, fi nishing 16.6sec the Mitsubishi Rockstar crew of Antione class win over Travis and Terry Hanson ahead of Decker and Craig. Byron Garth L’Estage and co-driver Nathalie Richard by a mere 03.6sec, but the results and co-driver Greg Allen placed third. suffered three punctures in a row on Day remain provisional pending a protest Decker and Craig came back Two, which cost them the chance to keep about Lagemann fi led by Hanson. The on Day Three to win the ‘Trails End’ pace with Higgins. Hansons put in a solid run and led Super Regional by 36.5sec over Svedin and Oregon marks Higgins’ second Production up until the morning of Day Buren. Dave and Richard Hintz fi nished consecutive victory of the season, Three when they began battling closely in third place. having just won the Olympus Rally two with Lagemann for the Class win. Travis The next round of the Rally weeks ago in Washington State. Higgins Hanson is still in contention for the America National Championship is the now assumes the overall Championship overall Championship and is now closer Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally from Travis Hanson, who has lead the to securing the 2011 Super Production (STPR) in Wellsboro, PA, 3 - 4 June. H&H points race since the opening round at title. Local driver Paul Eklund and co- Sno*Drift Rally. driver Jeff Price took third in SP and The Oregon Trail Rally began ninth overall. Friday with spectator stages held at In Two-Wheel-Drive, Scion xD the Portland International Raceway driver Andrew ‘ACP’ Comrie-Picard and OVERALL CLASSIFICATION before moving to the scenic farmlands co-driver Jeremy Wimpey took the class 01) D. Higgins/C. Drew Subaru Impreza WRX STi – 01h 21m 42.1s in and around The Dalles and Dufur win and placed seventh overall. ACP, 02) A. L’Estage/N. Richard for Days Two and Three. Oregon Trail who won the 2010 Oregon Trail Rally Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X + 03m 26.9s began as a dry and dusty rally, but in Open Class, fi nished 26sec ahead of 03) R. Lagemann/C. Beavis Subaru Impreza WRX STi + 06m 11.5s was consumed by heavy rains and Mazda Speed 3 driver Wyatt Knox. 04) T. Hanson/T. Hanson thunderstorms during the middle of Day Knox and co-driver Ole Holter Subaru Impreza WRX STi + 06m 15.1s Two. The inclement weather forced event spent the entire weekend entrenched 05) M. Riddle/A. Neumann Subaru Impreza WRX STi) + 08m 31.7s organisers to cancel the last two stages in a close battle with the Scion team, 06) A. Yeoman/J. Schulze of Day Two and shorten some of Day but fi nished second in Class and eighth Subaru Impreza + 11m 55.6s Three’s stages. overall. Ford Racing Fiesta driver Dillon 07) A. Comrie-Picard/J. Wimpey Scion xD + 13m 23.4s In addition to the changing Van Way and co-driver Jake Blattner 08) W. Knox/O. Holter weather and road conditions, attrition fi nished third in Class and 12th overall, Mazda Speed 3 + 13m 49.5s quickly set in for several teams including but fell minutes behind ACP and Knox 09) P. Eklund/J. R. Price Subaru Impreza WRX STi + 13m 57.7s Subaru Canada’s Pat Richard and co- early in the rally after having suspension 10) M. Goodwin/M. Burnley driver Leanne Junnila. Richard was issues. Brian Gottlieb and co-driver Pat Subaru Impreza WRX STi + 16m 02.0s Issue 183 • 20 May 2011 • Page 14

Mads tops Rally Sorland leader board

Words: Tor Andre Børresen The person who came closest to the rally win on the fi nal stage when he Pictures: Eva Kovkova Østberg was Sveinung Bieltvedt and co- lost his brakes. driver Roger Eilertsen. They took second In the Championship fi ght, it’s Mads Østberg and co-driver Jonas place in Rally Sørland last year with their very close after this weekend’s results. Andersson collected their second Subaru Impreza WRX STi N4. After a Steve Røkland took over the lead with consecutive Norwegian National diffi cult winter season, Bieltvedt climbed 67 points, Marius Dahl has 66 and Petter Rally win of the year when they won in the Championship and now lies fi fth. Rolfsen, who fi nished fourth at this rally, Rally Sørland with their Ford Fiesta Home favorite Svein Frustøl has 65 points. S2000 and further strengthened from the host club Kristiansand In the National Championship, it Østberg’s Championship lead. Automobile Club fi nished in third place is dominated by southern region drivers. Mads Østberg opened the with his Ford Focus WRC. With co-driver Søren Snartemo won with his BMW M3. event fastest of all in beautiful weather Ragnar Klami, he contested his best race He was almost a minute ahead of his in southern Norway when he won the of the season. Club-mate Pål Try, also club-mate Magne Svardal (Opel Kadett). fi rst stage on Friday night. But, when in an older Ford Focus WRC, took fourth Kenneth Trysnes took third place in Friday’s three stages were completed, he place overall. his Ford Puma S1600. Championship was 06.9sec behind Anders Grøndal. On Østberg increased his leader Ole Morten Korsmo ended in Saturday’s fi rst stage, Grøndal increased Championship lead signifi cantly with fi fth place in Rally Sørland, yet still has the lead to 15sec with his Subaru victory at the Rally Sørland. He now a comfortable lead with his Volvo 240. Impreza WRC S10. stands with 110 points and is 38 points Korsmo has 90 points, while Søren However, in SS5 Grøndal and ahead of Thomas Kvam (Ford Focus Snartemo in second has 53. his co-driver Veronica Engan went off WRC), who took over second place after Rally Sørland comprised eight the road after having made a wrong this rally. Anders Grøndal remains third stages, three on Friday and fi ve on note during recce that resulted in them overall in the category for the four- Saturday,and the rally route started running wide into a rockface this rally wheel-drive cars, despite the fact that he and fi nished in Mandal. The next is infamous for together with the small retired this weekend. WRC and N4 cars championship round is Aurskog Høland lakes lining the roads. From here on, drive for the same Championship this Rally, Saturday 4 June. H&H it was an easy win for Østberg. He year and points are awarded according successfully defended his victory from to how many cars run in each class. last year on the rally. In the Championship Class OVERALL CLASSIFICATION “It has gone smoothly for us. I for two-wheel-drive cars up to 2000cc, 01) M. Østberg/J. Andersson Ford Fiesta S2000 - 01h 5m 12.9s am very pleased. Our goal today was to it was the second win in a row for 02) S. Bieltvedt/R. Eilertsen push Anders as much as we could, and it the young Steve Røkland (18) in his Subaru Impreza WRX STi + 01m 27.2s worked. Of course, it was a pity that he Ford Fiesta ST. It’s Røkland’s fi rst 03) S. Frustøl/R. Klami Ford Focus WRC + 01m 44,5s went off but it can often happen when Championship victory. 04) P. Try/L. W. Andersen it’s such a hard fi ght,” said Mads Østberg “This is amazing. It was Ford Focus WRC + 02m 33,3s who has his girlfriend Veronica Engan as unfamiliar with the new co-driver, so we 05) T. Kvam/S. Johnsen Ford Focus WRC + 03m 42,8s a co-driver for Grøndal. “It was pretty had some trouble yesterday and on the 06) G. Helge Frøslid/D. Sandbekk Bråten special to pass them as they had driven last stage today, but it can’t get better Subaru Impreza WRX STi + 05m55,4s off the road. I saw that the car had a lot than this,” said Steve Røkland. 07) S. Røkland/W. Fønnebø Ford Fiesta ST + 06m 06,4s of damage, and I saw Anders. But when Closest to them was Marius 08) S. Snartemo/A. Ingar Stulen I didn’t see Veronica I slowed down to Dahl in his Fiesta, 24sec behind. Third BMW M3 + 06m 10,4s make sure that everything was ok,” says place in the Championship Class for the 09) M. Dahl/K. Odegaard Ford Fiesta ST + 06m 30,5s Østberg after the episode that took place two-wheel driven cars went to Frank 10) F. Tore/L. Torstein Eriksen on the rally’s fi fth stage. Tore Larsen in his Ford Fiesta R2. He lost Ford Fiesta R2 + 06m 47,7s Issue 183 • 20 May 2011 • Page 15

Gross beats off Ketomaa to take Rally Talsi win Words: Liga Stirna S-WRC driver won SS1 and two more Žilvinas Sakalauskas (Mitsubishi Lancer Pictures: Krišs Karnītis and Timo Anis stages later on over the rally, and the Evo X) who were lying in ninth before entire rally witnessed an exciting fi ght the fi nal stage. Third place went to The third round of Latvian Rally with Estonian Georg Gross for the overall Latvians Jānis Vorobjovs/Guntars Zicāns Championship, the BTA Rally win. Unfortunately, this fi ght ended (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X), making the Talsi 2011, is regarded as the in the very last stage when Ketomaa podium truly international. “Champion’s rally” because actual suffered a punctured tyre. This potential “I’m really satisfi ed with this champions from different countries winner fi nished ninth, yet still kept rally, stages, organization and, of course, – Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, Lithuania, second place in Group A-plus. Georg the result. I’m going to return here and Norway and Finland - compete Gross also had problems with his car’s I’m sure, I will,” after the fi nish said against each other here to fi nd out tyre, but he was fortunate that it didn’t Vytautas Švedas who got Champions who’s the fastest. This year, the defl ate. The Estonians took the win, their Cup. Champion’s trophy went to Lithuania second-in-a-row in the Latvian Rally The fastest car in the 2WD with Vytautas Švedas/Žilvinas Championship (they also won February Class was that piloted by Daniel Ernsted/ Sakalauskas (Mitsubishi Lancer Rally Sarma 2011). Marcus Sunth (Seat Ibiza), fi nishing 29th Evolution X), but the overall winners “After Tallinn Rally, this was overall. were Estonians Georg Gross/Raigo good event without any technical issues,” The next rally of Latvian Molder (Ford Focus RS WRC). By the said Gross in an interview for www. Championship is the Rally Jēkabpils- way, this was fi rst year that all wins ruudulipp.ee. “As we’re trying to run the Madona 2011, taking place on 4 – 5 went to guests and not local drivers. whole Latvian series, we will defi nitely June. H&H Summarizing this event can be start in Madona which will be a good achieved in describing one stage, the practice run for Viru Rally.” very last SS. This the trademark of the In fact, of the top three crews BTA Rally Talsi is longest stage in whole ahead of the last stage, only Georg Championship – almost 34 km long - Gross/Raigo Molder kept their place. determines who the champion of the Raimonds Kisiels/Arnis Ronis (Mitsubishi OVERALL CLASSIFICATION champions is, who has strongest car and Lancer WRC) also found SS10 01) G. Gross/R. Mõlder Ford Focus WRC - 58m 42.87s best tactics, and sometimes the outcome unsuccessful: they retired from the rally 02) V. Švedas/Ž. Sakalauskas is quite unexpected. This year wasn’t an with a broken wheel while running third Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X + 01m 45.92s exception... overall... 03) J. Vorobjovs/G. Zicāns Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X + 01m 57.46s The initial entry list of the BTA Andis Neikšāns/Pēteris Dzirkals 04) M. Neikšāns/R. Bērziņš Rally Talsi was really promising: 94 cars, (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X) held Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X + 02m 01.37s almost half of them all-wheel-drive with the lead position in Group N4, but they 05) S. Pärn/K. Järveoja Subaru Impreza + 02m 03.61s more than half of them N4 cars that shared the same ill fate of Ketomaa 06) J. Joge/J. Stigh included 11 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution when they had to stop to change a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X + 02m 07.59s Xs and one brand new Mitsubishi Lancer puncture in the last stage and lost more 07) A. Egle/A. Dauga Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X + 02m 21.87s Evolution X R4 that competed in Group than three minutes and dropped to 16th 08) R. Jeets/A. Toom A. MML Sports built this R4 and invited overall. Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX + 02m 32.75s experienced Finn Jari Ketomaa to show Surprisingly even for them to 09) J. Ketomaa/M. Stenberg Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X R4 + 03m 26.55s the full the potential of this car, and climb from second to fi rst place in Group 10) K. Koitla/A. Ots it was the right decision. The former N4 were Lithuanians Vytautas Švedas/ Subaru Impreza + 03m 31.66s