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EKO Acropolis Rally 31 May-­3 June 2018

FIA European Rally Championship

Round 3 of 8

EVENT ESSENTIALS The rally in 100 words... For more than 60 years, the Acropolis Rally has made heroes and broken hearts. Throughout that time, its legendary status has remained undiminished with the 2017 edition offering the usual mix of triumph (for Kajetan Kajetanowicz) and despair (for Nikolay Gryazin, who was leading when his car was gutted by fire). An ERC regular until 1968, the event returned to the European championship in 2014 when Loutraki on the banks of the Gulf of Corinth hosted the 60th running, a mixed-­surface affair. Now run in partnership with the OMAE Greek federation on gravel only, Lamia has been home since 2016. Event eligibility: FIA European Rally Championship 2018, round 3 of 8 Also counting for... FIA ERC2, FIA ERC3, FIA European Rally Championship for Teams ERC Nations' Cup, ERC Ladies' Trophy Previous winners: 2017: Kajetan Kajetanowicz/Jarek Baran (Ford Fiesta R5) 2016: Ralfs Sirmacis/Arturs Šimins (ŠKODA Fabia R5) 2015: Kajetan Kajetanowicz/Jarek Baran (Ford Fiesta R5) 2014: Craig Breen/Scott Martin (Peugeot 208 T16) 2013: Jari-­Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (Volkswagen Polo R WRC)* *World championship event Starts: 11h00, Friday 1 June, Acropolis, Athens Finishes: 15h04, Sunday 3 June, Service Park, Lamia National Trade Fair, Lamia Headquarters: Service Park, Lamia National Trade Fair, Georgiou Gennimata str., 35100, Lamia (located 230 kilometres north of Athens Airport) ERC appearances (since 2004 restructuring): 4 (2014-­2017) Stages: 12 Stage distance: 237.89 kilometres (156.89 kilometres leg one, 81.00 kilometres leg two) Liaison: 629.83 kilometres Total: 867.72 kilometres Surface: Gravel

Free Practice (for priority drivers): 14h00-­16h00, Thursday 31 May (3.70 kilometres, Lamia area) Qualifying Stage (for priority drivers): 16h48 Thursday 31 May (3.70 kilometres, Lamia area) Shakedown (for all drivers): 17h45-­19h15, Thursday 31 May (3.70 kilometres, Lamia area) Start order selection: 19h00, Thursday 31 May, Service Park, Lamia Rally start: 11h00, Friday 1 June, Acropolis, Athens MEDIA INFORMATION Media accreditation (Lamia): Location: Building A, Service Park, Lamia National Trade Fair, Georgiou Gennimata str., 35100, Lamia Opening hours: Wednesday 30 May: 10h00-­20h00 Thursday 31 May: 10h00-­21h00 Friday 1 June: 09h30-­21h00 Saturday 2 June: 08h30-­19h00 Media accreditation (Athens): Location: Olympic Athletic Center of Athens (OAKA) / Velodrome, 37 Kifisias Ave. (entrance from Spyrou Loui str.), Marousi 15123 Athens Opening hours: Wednesday 30 May: 10h00-­18h00 Thursday 31 May: 10h00-­18h00 Media Centre (Lamia): Location: Building A, Service Park, Lamia National Trade Fair, Georgiou Gennimata str., 35100, Lamia Opening hours: Wednesday 30 May: 10h00-­20h00 Thursday 31 May: 10h00-­21h00 Friday 1 June: 08h00-­23h00 Saturday 2 June: 08h00-­23h00 Sunday 3 June: 07h30-­23h00 Television coverage: Daily highlights, rally review and Inside ERC magazine show on Eurosport and Eurosport Player, plus additional coverage on a number of other channels around the world

ERC Radio: Live throughout the event at FIAERC.com or through the ERC app Results, standings, live timing and text commentary: www.fiaerc.com Rights-­free images: Register at http://media.fiaerc.com Event media contact: Panos Diamantis, panos.diamantis@acropolisrally.gr, +30 6936513417 (Accreditations Officer: Eirini Moustakaia: accreditations@acropolisrally.gr, +30 6944510196) MEDIA EVENTS THURSDAY 31 MAY Pre-­rally press conference: 12h00, Media Centre, Service Park, Lamia National Trade Fair, Lamia Free Practice (for priority drivers): 14h00-­16h00 (3.70 kilometres, Lamia area) Qualifying Stage (for priority drivers): 16h48 (3.70 kilometres, Lamia area) Shakedown (for all drivers): 17h45-­19h15 (3.70 kilometres, Lamia area) Start order selection: 19h00, Service Park, Lamia National Trade Fair, Lamia FRIDAY 1 JUNE Photocall: 10h15, Philopappos Monument, Athens (https://goo.gl/maps/67KR5PM3a9z): Activity subject to confirmation Ceremonial start: 11h00, Acropolis, Athens SATURDAY 2 JUNE End-­of-­leg press conference: TBA, Service Park, Lamia National Trade Fair, Lamia SUNDAY 3 JUNE Post-­rally press conference: 16h15, Media Centre, Lamia National Trade Fair, Lamia

EKO ACROPOLIS RALLY IN NUMBERS: 19: A total of 19 top-­of-­the-­range R5 cars are set to line up at the start in the Greek capital Athens. 18: Of the list of registrations, 19 nationalities are represented. 12: This year’s EKO Acropolis Rally, which starts from under the ancient Acropolis citadel in Athens, features 12 stages over 237.89 timed kilometres, making it the longest of the ERC season so far. 30.53: The famous Thiva stage is the longest of the Lamia-­based rally at 30.53 kilometres. In contrast, SSS Hippodrome in Markopoulo is the shortest at 2.60 kilometres. 5: Since returning to the European championship roster in 2014, the Acropolis Rally has been ever-­present on the ERC schedule and this year celebrates its fifth running in the modern era of the ERC in 2018. 70: Greek Haris Kaltsounis will turn 70 this September making him the oldest driver in the field. He’s also started the event more times than any of rivals with this year’s running marking appearance number 33. FAST FACTS: *The Acropolis Rally was a regular on the ERC schedule up until 1968, the year when British hero Roger Clark took his Ford Escort to victory, one year after Paddy Hopkirk had triumphed in a Mini Cooper S. *Indeed, British drivers have a strong record on the Acropolis with Colin McRae winning the event a record five times and Richard Burns once. *The 2014 Acropolis Rally was the setting of the first event win for the PEUGEOT 208 T16 with Irishman Craig Breen, co-­driven by Scott Martin, coming out on top for the French make. Since then there has been wins for the Ford Fiesta R5 (2015 and 2017) and ŠKODA Fabia R5 (2016). *Evidence from archaeological excavations suggest Lamia’s first inhabitants arrived in the Bronze Age. *Essential ingredients for the perfect Greek salad are tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, feta cheese and Kalamata olives seasoned with salt, oregano and dressed with olive oil. Best served with warm pita bread. Lemon juice is optional.

EVENT PREVIEW – BIG HISTORY, BIG CHALLENGE: EKO ACROPOLIS RALLY TO TEST ERC STARS IN GREECE *European championship leader Lukyanuk among 19 drivers in R5 cars *Multiple national champions in action on legendary event *Eighteen nationalities set to be represented at Athens start For more than 60 years, the Acropolis Rally has made heroes and broken hearts. Throughout that time, its legendary status has remained undiminished with last season’s edition offering the usual mix of triumph – for winner Kajetan Kajetanowicz – and despair – for Nikolay Gryazin, who was leading when his car was gutted by fire, thankfully without injury to the young Russian and his co-­driver Yaroslav Fedorov. This year’s event, round three of the all-­action FIA European Rally Championship, is set to be no different as crews negotiate demanding gravel stages in the Region of Central Greece. Factor in punishing ambient and ground temperatures, the prospect of rain in the build-­up to the event, plus the presence of just shy of 20 R5 cars, and the stage is set for a thrilling contest. With two ERC wins from two starts, Alexey Lukyanuk will be the driver in the ascendency when the exciting entry is flagged away from the ceremonial start below the remains of the ancient Acropolis citadel – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – in the Greek capital Athens on Friday morning (1 June). “It’s one of the toughest rallies of the year for the cars and the crews,” said Russian Lukyanuk. “I did it two years ago with a different co-­driver [to Alexey Arnautov] but we finished early with broken suspension due to the wrong pacenotes in one place. More than half of the rally will be new for me and it will be interesting to start with a long stage on Friday evening.” Following a blast around the SSS Hippodome superspecial at the Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Centre, which was built for the Summer Olympic Games in Athens in 2004, crews head north to the fast and famous Thiva stage, the rally’s longest at 30.53 kilometres. As well as offering an early test of ability, strategy will be much in evident. Drivers will balance running lower down the order to benefit from a more stable road surface with selecting a higher starting position – following Thursday’s Qualifying Stage – in order to stave off the threat of driving in dust clouds, which can be a factor on gravel stages run later in the day when there is typically less wind to disperse hanging dust. “It will be really tricky to get the proper starting position and there is always the possibility of being behind a slow crew or one with some issues,” Lukyanuk said. “That means you can lose a lot of time straight away. But it’s the competition and we’ll play it. It should be an exciting weekend.” An ERC regular until 1968, the Acropolis Rally returned to the European roster in 2014 when Loutraki on the banks of the Gulf of Corinth hosted the 60th running, a mixed-­surface affair. Now run in partnership with the OMAE Greek federation on gravel only, Lamia has been home since 2016. And following the Thiva stage at 17h29 local time on 1 June, crews will reach the university city for first service from 19h44. Saturday’s action is centred south of Lamia with three stages repeated once for a competitive distance of 123.76 kilometres. Crews head north on Sunday for two repeated stages covering 81.00 timed kilometres with the finish held in the grounds of the Lamia National Trade Fair from 15h04.

ERC2: Newcomers boost class entry to season high A season-­high seven crews will battle for honours in the category for showroom cars headed by championship leader Sergei Remennik, from Russia, and featuring newcomers Petros Panteli (Cyprus) and Vassilios Drymoussis (Greece). Argentina’s Juan Carlos Alonso, Hungary’s defending ERC2 champion Tibor Érdi Jr and Menderes Okur (Turkey) are also entered. ERC3: Falcón set for Acropolis first, Ghosh and Muradian begin ERC bids Canary Islander Emma Falcón will make her EKO Acropolis Rally debut as she bids for more ERC Ladies’ Trophy points. Category regular Artur Muradian (Russia) begins his 2018 ERC campaign after tackling four events in 2017. Chrysostomos Karellis was a class winner in the national section of the Acropolis last season but switches from a PEUGEOT 208 R2 to a Citroën DS3 R3T. Indian prospect Amittrajit Ghosh will be Ford Fiesta R2-­powered when he begins his ERC campaign but eager to gain experience rather than chase rapid stage times on only his second event outside his homeland. And in other news… *Bruno Magalhães will be playing catch-­up in the title fight in his ARC Sport ŠKODA Fabia after mechanical issues restricted him to seventh overall on Rally Islas Canarias at the start of May. *Four-­time Hungarian champion Norbert Herczig starts his third new event in a row for MOL Racing Team. *Former national title holder Grzegorz Grzyb arrives in Greece, where he finished third last season, two weeks after missing out on victory on a rally in his native Poland by 0.3s. *Łukasz Habaj, who succeeded Kajetan Kajetanowicz as the Polish rally champion in 2015, will make his Acropolis Rally debut. *Norway’s Eyvind Brynildsen has previous Acropolis experience to count on from his stint in the world championship and is targeting a podium with Veronica Engan, who last co-­drove him 10 years ago. *Promising Cypriot Alexandros Tsouloftas belied his lack of experience to finish fourth overall on his Acropolis debut in 2017. *Albert von Thurn und Taxis was heading for a points finish on his Acropolis debut in 2017 only to roll into retirement on the final stage. Frank Christian will co-­drive for the first time. *Young Pole Hubert Ptaszek is showing big promise in the ERC Junior Under 28 Championship, which doesn’t include the Acropolis Rally on its event schedule. *Greek champion in 2016, George Philippedes made his first start in an R5 car on last year’s Acropolis but a crash on the closing stage ruled out an unlikely podium. He continues to compete under the Team Greece banner in a ŠKODA Fabia, also the car of choice for compatriot Efthimios Halkias and Ukrainian Yuriy Protasov, who will both be in action on the main international event albeit not chasing ERC points. *Belgian-­Greek Jourdan Serderidis has spent the last few seasons competing at world level but starts his first Acropolis since 2015. *After finishing second overall on the ERC-­counting Cyprus Rally last season, multiple Cypriot champion Simos Galatariotis is trying the Acropolis Rally for size having upgraded to a ŠKODA Fabia R5. *Paulo Nobre’s last Acropolis start was in 2012. The charismatic Brazilian returns this year as part of his season-­long campaign with Motorsport Italia. *Portugal’s Aloísio Monteiro makes his second ERC appearance of 2018, while Orhan Avcioglu from Turkey, winner of the FIA Balkan Rally Trophy in 2017, remains an ever-­present for Toksport WRT. *Finn Juuso Nordgren, 21, is part of ŠKODA Motorsport’s factory team in the world championship and will be one to watch as he makes his ERC debut in what is an experience-­building mission. Watch and listen Highlights from both legs will be shown on Eurosport and available on Eurosport Player. ERC Radio will broadcast live from stage finishes and selected service park visits.

EKO ACROPOLIS RALLY: PRE-­EVENT QUOTES Eyvind Brynildsen (ERC1, Ford Fiesta R5): “On the gravel I will be really disappointed if we can’t match [Alexey] Lukyanuk. On Rally Islas Canarias I was prepared mentally not to be at [his pace] but I was hoping all the time. But in Acropolis I should be on the same level even with the lack of driving and training. I was close to being second in PWRC [on the Acropolis in 2008] on but I blew the engine before the ramp when I was fighting with [Toshi] Arai, [Juho] Hänninen and [Andreas] Aigner. It’s a really tough rally but we will prepare as good as we can, build the car like a tank, try to survive and hope we can be on the podium there and win.” Amittrajit Ghosh (ERC3, Ford Fiesta R2): “It is a proud moment to be competing in the ERC. Our aim will be to gather valuable miles and experience through this year in preparation for an all-­out assault in the next. I want to thank RRPM for getting us here and our new sponsor, Pana Education, for coming on board at this important juncture of our career.” Norbert Herczig (ERC1, ŠKODA Fabia R5): “I’ve never been to this rally before but it’s the same with all rallies, they are all new to me because I am the new boy in the championship. I have no real info about the event, just some onboard videos but my team, Baumschlager Rallye & Racing tell me that many things have changed from last year.” Alexey Lukyanuk (ERC1, Ford Fiesta R5): “It’s one of the toughest rallies of the year for the cars and the crews. I did it two years ago with a different co-­driver [to Alexey Arnautov] but we finished early with broken suspension due to the wrong pacenotes in one place. More than half of the rally will be new for me and it will be interesting to start with a long stage on Friday evening. It will be really tricky to get the proper starting position and there is always the possibility of being behind a slow crew or one with some issues. That means you can lose a lot of time straight away. But it’s the competition and we’ll play it. It should be an exciting weekend.” Bruno Magalhães (ERC1, ŠKODA Fabia R5): “This rally for sure is a tough one. It’s different from last year, some stages are in the opposite direction and there is one that’s completely new. This rally is very famous because everybody knows it’s a difficult rally with very rough stages. You need to be fast but, at the same time, you need to try to avoid the problems. It’s very hot, more or less 30 degrees, so you need to manage the car, the conditions, the tyres, the driver, so everything is difficult in this rally. It’s very challenging and everybody knows the Acropolis is one of the most famous rallies in the world.” Aloísio Monteiro (ERC1, ŠKODA Fabia R5): “In the Azores we showed a good evolution throughout the event. But the competition in the European championship is very strong, so we have to make a competent rally and be aware of our limitations on the level of knowledge of the route. I think we can get out of Greece with a good result if we can manage the mechanics along the hard special stages. Me and André Couceiro [co-­driver] will have to make an extra effort during the recce and rally to be able to successfully complete this challenge.”

Juuso Nordgren (ERC1, ŠKODA Fabia R5): “First of all, it is all about to get more experience and to learn. I know this ERC event is really demanding and tough. Being aware there will be quick and experienced drivers, I will first of all focus on finishing the rally, an iconic rally. I am regularly following the ERC. It is a highly competitive championship, a good platform for young drivers. The promoter does a good job, which means for all drivers a very good option to get more into the public awareness. The mixture of experienced drivers and young talents makes the ERC even more interesting.” Sergei Remennik (ERC2, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X): “This rally is very difficult, one of the hardest rallies in terms of surface, with sharp stones and ruts. Finishing here and saving the car on the road is not an easy task. Production class cars work well at the races with half the distance of the European round, but it’s much more difficult to drive the rally completely without breakdowns in a N4 category car. We go to the Acropolis Rally as the leaders in our class, but there are more participants and this is only an intermediate result. But we do not feel any mental load and of course [leading] is pleasant.”

ERC EXPLAINED Welcome to the 2018 FIA European Rally Championship, the ultimate training ground for young hopefuls aiming for the top. Providing a clear path of progression from national level to the world stage, the oldest international rally series in existence is also open to all-­comers, meaning age is no barrier to competing. Calendar 2018 Contested over eight events from March to October, the ERC schedule has been structured in response to calls from drivers and teams who were keen to cap their number of competitive outings at between six and eight events. The calendar includes three rallies on asphalt and five on gravel (three on each surface for ERC Junior Under 27 and ERC Junior Under 28). And in a further cost-­cutting measure, drivers chasing overall honours count their best six scores only. Route to the top As in 2017, ERC Junior, the established training ground for factory WRC drivers, will be split into two separate divisions based on driver age and experience – and car performance. FIA ERC Junior Under 27 Championship ERC Junior U27 is for drivers under the age of 27 at the start of 2018 competing in R2 cars on Pirelli tyres. With the best four rounds from six counting, the winner will receive a career progression fund worth 100,000 euros to use in ERC Junior U28 in 2019. FIA ERC Junior Under 28 Championship ERC Junior U28 offers the next step on the rallying pyramid for drivers under the age of 28 ahead of 2018. Again totalling six rounds with the best four scores counting, drivers use R5 cars. The champion will receive a drive on a European round of the 2019 FIA World Rally Championship as a P1 driver in a 2016-­specification World Rally Car, although the prize could be adapted at the winner’s request. The following are a selection of drivers with ERC experience competing in the World Rally Championship. Craig Breen: ERC runner-­up 2015 > factory Citroën WRC driver 2018 Juho Hänninen: ERC champion 2012 > factory Toyota WRC driver 2017 Jari Huttunen: ERC Junior U27 runner-­up 2017 > factory Hyundai WRC2 driver 2018 Jan Kopecký: ERC champion 2013 > APRC champion 2014, factory ŠKODA WRC2 driver 2018 Esapekka Lappi: ERC champion 2014 > factory Toyota WRC driver 2018 Jari-­Matti Latvala: ERC driver 2003 > factory Toyota WRC driver 2018 Stéphane Lefebvre: ERC Junior champion 2014 > factory Citroën WRC driver 2018 Kris Meeke: ERC event winner 2009 > factory Citroën WRC driver 2018 Andreas Mikkelsen: ERC event winner 2012 > factory Hyundai WRC driver 2018 Thierry Neuville: ERC event winner 2011 > factory Hyundai WRC driver 2018 Hayden Paddon: ERC driver 2013 > factory Hyundai WRC driver 2018 Ott Tänak: ERC event winner 2014 > M-­Sport WRC driver 2017, new Toyota signing for 2018

ERC Junior Experience One of the most comprehensive young driver training programmes in motorsport will shift up another gear in 2018. Drivers registering for the FIA ERC Junior Under 27 Championship will now be automatically enrolled into the ERC Junior Experience training programme rather than applying separately and paying an additional fee, which was the case previously. There will be four ERC Junior Experience training events held in conjunction with rounds of ERC Junior U27. However, there will now be two optional packages for drivers to select in addition to the core package included in the registration fee. The training packages available are as follows. Drivers not registered for ERC Junior U27 can also apply: Yellow: Included in ERC Junior U27 registration fee and covering media relations, TV interviews and the production process, pacenote preparation, tyre management, first aid and championship organisation and administration. Green (optional package): ERC Junior U27 drivers will receive training on social media dos and don’ts, car set-­up and tyre changing. They will also take part in a test session on Tarmac with an expert coach providing driving tips. Blue (optional package): ERC Junior U27 drivers will be enrolled into workshops covering sponsorship acquisition, physical training and vision training. They will also take part in a test session on gravel accompanied by an expert driving coach. FIA European Rally Championship for Teams Registered teams can nominate a maximum of three cars from ERC-­registered drivers, in either four-­ or two-­wheel drive configuration or a combination of both, to score points on each event. The results of the two highest-­placed cars from a team count, with teams tallying their best six scores from a possible eight. And with points distributed according to the four-­ and two-­wheel-­drive classifications of the rally, a team could score a maximum of 50 points per event with 25 on offer in 4WD and 25 also up for grabs in 2WD. There’s a prestigious FIA title up for grabs for the winning team. ERC Nations’ Cup New for 2018, the ERC Nations’ Cup is for teams supported by a national motorsport federation or automobile association. The results of the two highest-­placed cars from a team count, with teams tallying their best six scores from a possible eight. A maximum of three cars, in either four-­ or two-­wheel-­drive configuration or a combination of both, can chase points on each event, although it’s the results from the two highest-­placed drivers on each event that will count. And with points distributed according to the four-­ and two-­wheel-­drive classifications, a federation or association can score a maximum of 50 points (25 points for 4WD, 25 points for 2WD) per event. The eligible teams on Rally Islas Canarias are: ACCR Czech Team, ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team and Rally Team Spain.

ERC Ladies’ Trophy ERC promoter Eurosport Events is committed to encouraging the participation of women in motorsport and has revamped the ERC Ladies’ Trophy accordingly. Rather than recognise the achievements of women when competing against other women drivers, to promote gender equality, drivers will score points based on where they appear in the final four-­ or two-­wheel-­drive order using a new scoring system. All rounds of the ERC are included in the ERC Ladies’ Trophy with all classes (ERC1, ERC2 and ERC3) eligible. Drivers count their best four scores. The scoring system is as follows: 1 = 100;; 2 = 90;; 3 = 80;; 4 = 75;; 5 = 70;; 6 = 65;; 7 = 60;; 8 = 55;; 9 = 50;; 10 = 45;; 11 = 43;; 12 = 41;; 13 = 39;; 14 = 37;; 15 = 35;; 16 = 33;; 17 = 31;; 18 = 29;; 19 = 27;; 20 = 25;; 21 = 23;; 22 = 21;; 23 = 19;; 24 = 17;; 25 = 15;; 26 = 13;; 27 = 11;; 28 = 9;; 29 = 7;; 30 = 5;; all remaining positions = 1 point.

THE CALENDAR 22-­24 March: Azores Airlines Rallye (Portugal, gravel) ERC Junior 3-­5 May: Rally Islas Canarias (Spain, asphalt) ERC Junior 31 May-­3 June: EKO Acropolis Rally (Greece, gravel) 15-­17 June: Cyprus Rally (Cyprus, gravel) 20-­22 July: Rally di Roma Capitale (Italy, asphalt) ERC Junior 24-­26 August: Barum Czech Rally Zlín (Czech Republic, asphalt) ERC Junior 21-­23 September: Rally Poland (Poland, gravel) ERC Junior 12-­14 October: Rally Liepāja (Latvia, gravel) ERC Junior

THE RALLIES IN 100 WORDS Azores Airlines Rallye (22-­24 March) Based on the mid-­Atlantic archipelago’s largest island of São Miguel, the rally celebrated its half-­century in 2015 and remains one of the most spectacular events on the international calendar. Stages criss-­cross breath-­taking scenery and lush countryside and are characterised by their sandy surface and narrow and undulating nature. And because the timed tests are often no wider than the width of a car, there is simply no margin for error, particularly on the Sete Cidades test along the rim of a volcanic crater lake. Changeable weather is also a factor with conditions switching from sunshine to showers and fog patches. Rally Islas Canarias (3-­5 May) With the stages climbing and descending at a frequent rate, drivers pay close attention to corner speed and lines to ensure optimal momentum is maintained, while precise car set-­up and pacenote accuracy are vital. One of the notable features of the sealed stages is the abrasive surface, constructed partly from volcanic lava. It means grip levels are high and remain constant if it rains, although tyre wear can increase. However, with the opportunity to take ‘cuts’ through corners limited, the roads remain relatively debris-­free. Returning to the ERC schedule in 2016, it’s a rally big on challenge and spectator numbers. EKO Acropolis Rally (31 May-­3 June) For more than 60 years, the Acropolis Rally has made heroes and broken hearts. Throughout that time, its legendary status has remained undiminished with the 2017 edition offering the usual mix of triumph (for Kajetan Kajetanowicz) and despair (for Nikolay Gryazin, who was leading when his car was gutted by fire). An ERC regular until 1968, the event returned to the European roster in 2014 when Loutraki on the banks of the Gulf of Corinth hosted the 60th running, a mixed-­surface affair. Now run in partnership with the OMAE Greek federation on gravel only, Lamia has been home since 2016. Cyprus Rally (15-­17 June) Since 1970, the Cyprus Rally has put car and crew to a significant test. And while the current format is a little less taxing than it once was, underestimating the challenging nature of this rallying heavyweight would be a big mistake. To mark its return to the ERC roster in 2014 for the first time since 1999, a ground-­breaking street stage through the United Nations-­controlled Buffer Zone between Nicosia’s Greek Cypriot and Turkish inhabited areas was organised and generated considerable interest. Although fundamentally a gravel rally, Tarmac sections feature while the June date makes for punishing ambient and ground temperatures. Rally di Roma Capitale (20-­22 July) The progression of this exciting asphalt event, organised and promoted by Motorsport Italia, has been remarkable. Having run for the first time in 2013, Rally di Roma Capitale made its ERC debut in 2017 as Italy returned to the European championship for the first time since 2013 when Rallye Sanremo was on the calendar. It proved a big hit with a driving parade through the centre of Rome, a spectacular spectator stage around the Palazzio della Civiltà del Lavoro in the EUR district, followed by two days of action-­packed rallying on stages to the east and south-­east of the capital.

Barum Czech Rally Zlín (24-­26 August) Ever-­present in the ERC since the championship’s streamlining in 2004, Barum Czech Rally Zlín is based in the South Moravian university city, 300 kilometres south of the Czech capital Prague. It is a Tarmac test like no other due to the bumpy and sometimes broken nature of the road surface. To add to the challenge, several stages feature high-­speed blasts through forests and intermittent showers are always possible. While the weather might be hard to predict, huge numbers of fans follow the action, especially on the opening night-­time Zlín superspecial stage. The rally has a long-­term contract with the ERC. Rally Poland (21-­23 September) One of the world’s oldest rallies is back on the ERC calendar in 2018 after a five-­year break as Rally Poland replaces Rally Rzeszow as the country’s round of the European championship for its 75th edition. First run in 1921, Rally Poland’s home since 2005 has been Mikołajki in the picturesque Mazurian lake district, a three-­hour drive north from the capital Warsaw, where high-­speed all-­gravel stages are commonplace. And it was in Mikołajki where Kajetan Kajetanowicz first emerged as a major force in the ERC, taking the win in 2013 prior to beginning his record-­breaking title treble sequence in 2015. Rally Liepāja (12-­14 October) The brainchild of rally driver turned promoter Raimonds Strokšs and first run to great acclaim in 2013, Rally Liepāja was originally a winter event but switched to the autumn for 2016. The new date effectively made for an all-­new rally as crews adjusted to gravel stages free of snow and ice. Although the time of year had changed, the high-­speed stages in western Latvia continued to thrill drivers and spectators alike. And with its new format now firmly established, this forward-­thinking rally serves as a fitting season finale with Liepāja proving to be a popular destination for fans and competitors.

THE DRIVERS 1: ALEXEY LUKYANUK (RUSSIA) ERC1 Date of birth: 12 December 1980 Co-­driver: Alexey Artaunov (Russia) Team: Russian Performance Motorsport Car: Ford Fiesta R5 Who is he? Fast and spectacular in equal measure, Russian Lukyanuk has forged a reputation for being unbeatable one minute, crash-­happy the next. But there’s much to the St Petersburg speed merchant as his dominant victories on the season-­opening events in the Azores and Gran Canaria attest. Stunning start: The Russian burst onto the ERC scene when he battled rallying legend François Delecour for a podium in Latvia in 2013 in his production-­spec Mitsubishi Lancer. That earned him the Colin McRae ERC Flat Out Trophy, something he was awarded again when he was second on Rally Estonia in 2014 in the same car. He went one better in Estonia the following season – incredibly in a production-­based Lancer – won again in Switzerland and started and finished 2016 with wins in Spain and Cyprus. Money woes: Lukyanuk’s budgetary issues – a regular problem in the past – blighted a planned graduation to WRC2 for 2017 making the ERC his focus instead. Tough times: However, it was a truncated campaign. After dominating Rally Islas Canarias in early May, Lukyanuk was seriously injured in a testing crash in his native Russia and missed the rallies in Greece and Cyprus. Heroic return: His return on Rally Rzeszow ended in a dramatic accident while battling for the lead, making his brave second place on Barum Czech Rally Zlín (he spent much of the event suffering considerable pain in his left foot whenever he had to brake heavily) crucial in his bid to get his season firmly back on track. Sadly, further crashes while leading in Italy and an electrical fault while ahead in Latvia meant his campaign rather petered out.

2: BRUNO MAGALHÃES (PORTUGAL) ERC1 Date of birth: 10 July 1980 Co-­driver: Hugo Magalhães (Portugal) Team: ARC Sport Car: ŠKODA Fabia R5 Who is he? Magalhães was the reference when it came to Portuguese rallying thanks to his trio of domestic titles between 2007-­2009. International action followed for 2010 with an IRC campaign, which included a dramatic win in the Azores. Then what? A hefty crash on Rallye Monte-­Carlo at the start of the 2011 IRC season hit hard both in terms of impact and form and it wasn’t until the 2014 European championship that he was able to put a package in place to compete outside Portugal on a regular basis again. A lion no more: Having rallied Peugeots for much of his career, Magalhães has since sampled Ford and – from 2017 – ŠKODA power. Czech mate: Run by top Portuguese outfit ARC Sport, Magalhães drove one of the Czech machines to second place in the 2017 ERC standings, beginning the year with a third Azores win. (SEA)JET(S)-­powered: Magalhães’ unlikely title challenge – Azores 2017 was intended as a one-­off – was made possible through support from Greek island ferry operator SEAJETS, which remains a key partner in 2018.

3: NORBERT HERCZIG (HUNGARY) ERC1 Date of birth: 21 September 1975 Co-­driver: Ramón Ferencz (Hungary) Team: MOL Racing Team Car: ŠKODA Fabia R5 Who is he? Herczig will step up to the ERC as a four-­time Hungarian champion after clinching his third consecutive national crown in 2017. MOL’s man: Having landed support from oil company MOL Hungary, the 42-­year-­old will drive a ŠKODA Fabia R5 under the MOL Racing Team banner and run by leading Austrian outfit Baumschlager Rallye & Racing, which guided him to domestic honours last season on the back of three wins and two podiums. Years of planning: “We have been preparing for years to show internationally what we are able to achieve,” Herczig explained. “But without proper backing we did not have the opportunity for that. So I am proud that one of the biggest companies in Hungary and many more of our partners decided to support me to achieve our common goals. I ensure everyone that we will do everything to finish the championship with the best result.” Setting the standard: Herczig has been using MOL Racing Fuel RST (Rally Standard) since 2016. And what was initially a supply deal developed into a fully-­fledged partnership when MOL became his title sponsor the following year. Big plans: Herczig’s programme is set to include all eight rounds of the 2018 European champinoship, while Ramón Ferencz, also from Hungary, has signed up as Herczig’s new co-­driver.

4: GRZEGORZ GRZYB (POLAND) ERC1 Date of birth: 7 September 1976 Co-­driver: Jakub Wróbel (Poland) Team: Rufa Sport Car: ŠKODA Fabia R5 Who is he? Grzyb is an experienced and successful driver from Poland, although it’s over the border in Slovakia where he’s tasted most success in his 20-­year career, winning the national title there on four occasions. But he’s also triumphed at home… He finished second in the Polish series in 2014 (behind Wojciech Chuchała) before capturing the top prize in 2016. …and in more ways than one: Grzyb also finished third on Rajd Rzeszow that season as the event in his home city celebrated its 25th anniversary edition by joining the ERC roster for the first time. Big achievements: As well as his numerous championship wins, Grzyb lists his wins on Rally Rzeszow in 2008 and 2009 among his biggest achievements. Keeping busy: Grzyb clearly likes competing on rallies. In 2017 he contested no fewer than 18 events. Six appeal: A six-­event ERC schedule is in the planning for 2018, starting with Rally Islas Canarias at the start of May.

5: ŁUKASZ HABAJ (POLAND) ERC1 Date of birth: 29 April 1975 Co-­driver: Daniel Dymurski (Poland) Team: Rallytechnology Car: Ford Fiesta R5 Who is he? Habaj, who started rallying in 2003 and won the Polish Peugeot Cup in 2006, graduated to the ERC in 2016 as the reigning Polish champion after he beat Bryan Bouffier to the crown by a single point in 2015. Different drives: He won his Polish title driving a Ford Fiesta R5 but it was in a Peugeot 208 R2 that he dominated ERC3 on the 2016 season-­opening Rally Islas Canarias. He was back behind the wheel of his Fiesta to finish sixth on Rally Estonia and fourth on Rally Rzeszow. Action stations: A moment on two wheels during Rally Liepāja earned Habaj inclusion in the FIA Action of the Year video poll as the ERC’s nominee. Title pickings: Habaj embarked on a six-­event ERC bid in 2017 with Daniel Dymurski, who co-­drove Wojciech Chuchała to ERC2 glory in 2016, navigating. Strong finish after tough start: They placed third on the year-­closing Rally Liepāja following a double DNF at the start of the year, the second of which was a crash in Free Practice on Rally Islas Canarias that resulted in Habaj needing a replacement Fiesta R5.

6: EYVIND BRYNILDSEN (NORWAY) ERC1 Date of birth: 14 January 1988 Co-­driver: Veronica Engan (Norway) Team: Autotek Motorsport Car: Ford Fiesta R5 Who is he? A regular in the world championship’s second tier for several seasons, Brynildsen is embarking on a major ERC assault in 2018 armed with a Ford Fiesta R5 from Ken Skidmore’s Autotek Motorsport stable. Why the change? “The ERC is the best for me at the moment,” says Brynildsen. “It’s a championship with some of the best rallies of the year and the best fans and a championship I was very keen to try out after nearly 50 starts in the WRC.” Duty called: Upon announcing his ERC campaign, Bynildsen revealed he would have contested season-­opening Azores Airlines Rallye had it not been for a new addition to the family. “My wife gave birth to our third child.” Puzzle pieces: A class title winner in Norway last season, Brynildsen’s programme will include Rally Islas Canarias, the EKO Acropolis Rally and the Cyprus Rally. “Then if all the pieces in the puzzle fall into the right places we will continue the championship and go on with Rally di Roma Capitale,” Brynildsen explains. Plenty to learn: The 30-­year-­old’s switch to the ERC will put him on a learning curve in terms of untried events, not that he’s fazed by the prospect. “I’m maybe not young and promising anymore, only promising! I have done quite a few rallies in my career and for many years I drove a truck and trailer in our family business, so my memory for roads is not too bad. I like the challenge with new rallies and it just motivates me to prepare myself better than anyone else.” New co-­driver: After Torstein Eriksen co-­drove Brynildsen on Rally Islas Canarias, Veronica Engan has been called up for the Acropolis. They last worked together 10 years ago.

7: ALEXANDROS TSOULOFTAS (CYPRUS) ERC1 Date of birth: 6 February 1992 Co-­driver: Antonis Chrysostomou (Cyprus) Team: Alexandros Tsouloftas Car: Citroën DS3 R5 Who is he? Tsouloftas only began rallying in 2015 and has mainly competed on home soil in national events including the Cyprus Speed Rally Championship. Flying to fourth: He made his European championship debut on the 2017 Acropolis Rally with the vastly experienced Denis Giraudet co-­driving. Despite using his appearance primarily to test out his ‘new’ Citroën DS3 R5 for the subsequent Cyprus Rally – his home round of the ERC – Tsouloftas finished and impressive fourth overall. Overwhelmed: That result left Tsouloftas “overwhelmed”. He added at the time: “It’s much more than what I expected. This is the first full year that I am driving, it’s the first time with this car, the first time on the Acropolis, the first time with this co-­driver, I only came here to learn the car because we haven’t done a lot of testing and absolutely the placing was unexpected so I am really, really happy.” Unlikely hero: “I wasn’t into motorsports whatsoever,” he says. “I only started rallying [two years ago] and I had no idea what this was before then. But I’m really happy with my progress, it looks like a promising future.” Home pain then gain: Tsouloftas was in a strong second place after nine stages of the 2017 Cyprus Rally when he suffered a double puncture on the 23.43-­kilometre Cytanet Avdelero on the final morning, losing more than 10 minutes and any hopes of a podium finish. “There was a big rock in the road and we got two punctures,” he explained afterwards. “It was a sharp stone in the line, I couldn’t avoid it, it could have cost us our lives.” Tsouloftas was handed the Colin McRae ERC Flat Out Trophy for his efforts in ninth overall and was also the top local on the Love Cyprus Golden Stage to pick up a cheque for 7,000 euros.

8: ALBERT VON THURN UND TAXIS (GERMANY) ERC1 Date of birth: 24 June 1983 Co-­driver: Frank Christian (Germany) Team: Baumschlager Rallye & Racing Car: ŠKODA Fabia R5 Who is he? Previously a competitor in the FIA GT1 World Championship, the Bavarian is the 12th Prince of Thurn and Taxis, the family credited with the invention of the postal system in Europe. Not that you would know: Von Thurn und Taxis is a master of disguise when it comes to his family heritage, never one to flaunt his celebrity, his humble and unassuming nature means he’s quick to blend into the crowd. Full marks: A self-­confessed rallying fan, the hugely likeable Rome resident embarked on a full ERC campaign in 2017 and learned plenty along the way. Operation progress: After driving a ŠKODA Fabia R5 for Wevers Sport in 2017, von Thurn und Taxis has switched to Baumschlager Rallye & Racing for 2018 when more progress is the target. “There has to be improvements absolutely,” he says. “Not necessarily in terms of position, not necessarily in terms of classification but in terms of seconds per stage kilometre we are really looking at comparing and we need to see improvements. So far, thank God that is the case. But there are so many things that need to be improved, that is the incredible thing. We still have a lot to improve in the notes and in driving, and in understanding set-­up data. There is a lot of homework.” Not the best memories: Von Thurn und Taxis was heading for a points finish on his Acropolis debut in 2017 only to roll into retirement on the final stage.

9: HUBERT PTASZEK (POLAND) ERC1 Date of birth: 5 July 1993 Co-­driver: Maciej Szczepaniak (Poland) Team: TRT Krezus Rally Team Car: ŠKODA Fabia R5 Who is he? Ptaszek has rallied extensively at world championship level. But after an accident curtailed his 2017 programme, he’s hoping a season in the European championship will get his career firmly back on track. Ever-­present: Aged 24, Ptaszek is planning a full eight-­event ERC campaign in 2018 in a Tagai Racing Technology ŠKODA Fabia R5. Strong start: The young Pole is making the most of his ERC opportunity by claiming his first outright stage win on an international rally in the Azores and placing fifth in the highly competitive ERC Junior Under 28 category on Rally Islas Canarias. Rapid rise: Ptaszek was in his third full season of rallying when he tried the world championship for size, completing the top three in his class on Rally GB in 2013. Is it a bird, is it a plane…? With his surname loosely translated as little bird, Ptaszek carries the Birdman moniker on the front of his car.

10: GEORGE PHILIPPEDES (GREECE) ERC1 Date of birth: 13 March 1977 Co-­driver: Allan Harryman (Great Britain) Team: Team Greece Car: ŠKODA Fabia R5 Who is he? The 2016 Greek champion, Philippedes is one of his country’s fastest and most experienced drivers. From zero… His outing on last year’s Acropolis was his first in an R5 car and was compromised when torrential rain delayed his pre-­event test: “It was a bit of a last-­minute arrangement to try to find a suitable replacement venue,” Philippedes said prior to the event last season. “It’s very different to what we use in the Greek championship, which is a Group N car. I was hoping it would be easier to adapt.” … to almost hero: Despite his lack of car knowledge, Philippedes came close to an unlikely home podium only to go off the road on the final stage and retire. Different Accent: Now competing in a ŠKODA Fabia R5, Philippedes once rallied a Hyundai Accent WRC although his outings have been somewhat limited since his Acropolis crash in 2017 with just two starts to his name. The one to win: “With the Acropolis having been around for 60 or more years it’s the dream of every Greek driver to win,” Philippedes says. “Even though we are not lucky enough to still have it in the world championship I think the ERC has reached a level of competition with great drivers. People will really enjoy it.

11: Aloísio Monteiro (Portugal) Co-­driver: André Couceiro (Portugal) ERC1 ARC Sport / ŠKODA Fabia R5 Monteiro is targeting a six-­event ERC campaign in 2018 following a successful season in the Iberia section of the European Clio R3T Trophy, when he finished runner-­up to Spaniard Fran Cima Artime. He will continue his partnership with ARC Sport with team-­mate and compatriot Bruno Magalhães providing driving tips. 12: Orhan Avcioglu (Turkey) Co-­driver: Burcin Korkmaz (Turkey) ERC1 Toksport WRT / ŠKODA Fabia R5 Avcioglu graduates to the European championship after winning the FIA Balkan Rally Trophy in 2017. He will form part Toksport WRT’s three-­car European campaign in a ŠKODA Fabia R5. 14: Paulo Nobre (Brazil) Co-­driver: Gabriel Morales (Brazil) ERC1 Palmeirinha Rally / ŠKODA Fabia R5 Nobre, a regular in the world championship and cross-­country events in the past, is back competing at international level for the first time since 2012, the year of his last Acropolis start. During that time, he’s kept busy masterminding the revival of his beloved football team Palmeiras in his role as Club President following a period of decline. With his job complete, Nobre is returning to his “hobby” and will drive a ŠKODA Fabia R5 for Motorsport Italia on all eight rounds of the ERC. 15: Jourdan Serderidis (Greece) Co-­driver: Frédéric Miclotte (Belgium) ERC1 ŠKODA Fabia R5 The Belgian-­Greek and successful businessman has spent the last few seasons competing at world level but starts his first Acropolis since 2015. 16: Simos Galatariotis (Cyprus) Co-­driver: Antonis Ioannou (Cyprus) ERC1 ŠKODA Fabia R5 After finishing second overall on the ERC-­counting Cyprus Rally last season, multiple Cypriot champion Simos Galatariotis is trying the Acropolis Rally for size having upgraded to a ŠKODA Fabia R5.

29: Juuso Nordgren (Finland) Co-­driver: Tapio Suominen (Finland) ERC1 Wevers Sport / ŠKODA Fabia R5 The 21-­year-­old is the latest young talent to choose the ERC to grow his experience of international competition. The outing, only his ninth in an R5 car, is part of his young driver development programme with ŠKODA Motorsport, which allows him to contest selected major events and is designed to test the emerging prospect on one of the world’s toughest rallies. He was the Finnish federation’s Future Rally Star of Finland for 2016 – an award also won in the past by Jari Huttunen and Teemu Suninen – and has tackled three world championship events under the ŠKODA Motorsport umbrella having enjoyed considerable success in two-­wheel drive machinery. Nordgren tested his Wevers Sport Fabia R5 in Greece on Monday. 17: Sergei Remennik (Russia) Co-­driver: Mark Rozin (Russia) ERC2 Russian Performance Motorsport / Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Remennik, whose Russian Performance Motorsport Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X will continue to be co-­driven by compatriot Mark Rozin, is set to tackle the Azores Airlines Rallye, Rally Islas Canarias, the EKO Acropolis Rally in Greece and Rally Liepāja in Latvia as a minimum commitment during his second ERC2 season. He will continue to work with driver coach and fellow Russian Alexey Lukyanuk after finishing third in the table in 2017. 18: Juan Carlos Alonso (Argentina) Co-­driver: Juan Pablo Monasterolo (Argentina) ERC2 RMC Motorsport / Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Alonso embarked on a three-­event ERC2 campaign in 2016, claiming a third, fourth and fifth in the category for standard production cars. His comeback began with victory on the Azores Airlines Rallye with fellow Argentine Juan Pablo Monasterolo co-­driving his RMC Motorsport-­run Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. 19: Tibor Érdi Jr (Hungary) Co-­driver: György Papp (Hungary) ERC2 Érdi Rallye Team / Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Érdi Jr claimed the ERC’s showroom category laurels in a thrilling final-­round decider on Rally Liepāja last October when he pipped Zelindo Melegari to top honours. The Hungarian wants to become back-­to-­back champion and has targeted a five-­event campaign in 2018. Although his title defence got off to a frustrating start when he retired from the Azores Airlines Rallye with broken suspension, he hit back

with a dominant class victory on Rally Islas Canarias. But it was close after a throttle problem twice left him stranded on the final run. He hung on to win but the fault ruled out a clean sweep of stage bests. 20: Tarik Menderes Okur (Turkey) Co-­driver: Zafer Ufuk Uluocak (Turkey) Toksport WRT / Subaru Impreza After handing over his Subaru to Gilbert Bannout for Rally Islas Canarias, Okur returns to ERC2 action with the Turkish Toksport team. He placed fourth on his championship debut, the Azores Airlines Rallye back in March. 21: Zelindo Melegari (Italy) Co-­driver: Andrea Marco Cecchi (Italy) ERC2 Movisport / Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Melegari had so much fun competing in last season’s ERC2 that he’s returning for more of the same in 2018. The Italian, who finished runner-­up to Tibor Érdi Jr in last season’s ERC2 standings, has a new co-­driver for 2018 in Andrea Marco Cecchi although he’s back behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer after the Subaru Impreza N14 he began the season with failed on both events he’s contested to date. 22: Petros Panteli (Cyprus) Co-­driver: Kyprianos Christodoulou (Cyprus) ERC2 Q8 Oils Rally Team / Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X A winner of seven rally titles in his native Cyprus, Panteli first competed on home soil in 2000 and has rallied regularly since 2003. He made his Cyprus Rally debut in 2001 when it counted as a round of the world championship – his only outing that year – and then tackled the same event when it was an IRC qualifier a decade later. He was eighth overall and third in the ERC Production Cup on the 2014 Cyprus Rally – his ERC debut – and ninth on the 2015 ERC-­counting Acropolis Rally. He was disqualified from last year’s event for a seatbelt-­wearing violation. 23: Vassilios Drimoussis (Greece) Co-­driver: Panaylotis Drimoussis (Greece) ERC2 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Drimoussis has made only sporadic appearances in a rallying career that began in 2000. But it’s a career that has included two starts at ERC level – the EKO Rally in 2005 and last year’s SEAJETS Acropolis Rally where he finished a fine seventh. 24: Emma Falcón (Spain) Co-­driver: Eduardo Delgado (Spain) ERC3, ERC Ladies’ Trophy ARC Sport / Citroën DS3 R3T

Canary Islander Falcón is embarking on her second European championship season in the ERC3 category. After a back injury forced her exit from the Azores Airlines Rallye, Falcón responded well with P10 in class – plus top ERC Ladies’ Trophy points – on Rally Islas Canarias. This year’s Acropolis, her third event on gravel, will be her first appearance on the Greek showpiece. 25: Artur Muradian (Russia) Co-­driver: Pavel Chelebaev (Russia) ERC3 TBRacing / PEUGEOT 208 R2 Muradian registered for ERC3 points ahead of Barum Czech Rally Zlín in 2016, having already appeared on auto24 Rally Estonia where he finished P20 and first in the RC3 category in a Renault Clio. He previously took R3 wins on Latvian events and spent two seasons mostly competing in the Volkswagen Polo Cup in his home country Russia. He begins his 2018 ERC campaign on the EKO Acropolis Rally after tackling four events in 2017. 26: Chrysostomos Karellis (Greece) Co-­driver: Elias Panayiotounis (Greece) ERC3 TBRacing / Citroën DS3 R3T Karellis, a car dealership proprietor in EKO Acropolis Rally host city Lamia, was a class winner in the national section of his home European championship qualifier last season. No registered for ERC3 points, he switches from a PEUGEOT 208 R2 to a Citroën DS3 R3T. 27: Amittrajit Ghosh (India) Co-­driver: Ashwin Naik (India) ERC3 Baltic Motorsport Promotion / Ford Fiesta R2 Ghosh will use the ERC to gain essential experience as he looks to progress to the world stage in the future. The multiple national racing and rally champion from India has only rallied outside his homeland once before, but will start the process of expanding his international knowledge when he contests the EKO Acropolis Rally, a prelude to a planned full-­season ERC assault in 2019.

SEAJETS ACROPOLIS RALLY RETROSPECTIVE 2017 2-­4 June 2017 KAJETANOWICZ IS THE ERC SEAJETS ACROPOLIS RALLY GOD *Three ERC rallies, three ERC winners as defending champion takes thrilling victory *Magalhães extends European title advantage following determined drive *Third place changes four times on dramatic final afternoon *Melegari and Banaz claim ERC2 and ERC3 respectively Kajetan Kajetanowicz made it three different winners from the first three rounds of the FIA European Rally Championship with a dramatic victory on an action-­packed SEAJETS Acropolis Rally, which lived up to its reputation as one of the toughest events on the international calendar. The back-­to-­back ERC champion, co-­driven by fellow Pole Jarek Baran, was almost half a minute off the lead at the overnight halt in Lamia having lost time with two punctures on Saturday, but grabbed first place when Bruno Magalhães – struggling with an electrical issue – was powerless to prevent the LOTOS Rally Team driver from getting ahead on Sunday’s third stage, the gruelling 33.86-­kilometre Elatia/Karya test. Magalhães, in his SEAJETS-­backed ŠKODA Fabia R5 had moved to the head of the order when overnight pacesetter Nasser Al-­Attiyah hit trouble on the morning’s opening stage, unable to restart his Ford Fiesta R5’s engine for some two minutes when he stopped to reset a powersteering glitch. While Magalhães battled to the finish in second hampered by non-­functioning flat-­shift, windscreen wipers, start control and an overheating issue, Al-­Attiyah was forced out following stage 10 when the steering issue returned. The Qatari’s exit promoted Murat Bostanci to third but the Castrol Ford Team Turkey driver’s hopes of a maiden ERC podium ended when he went off four kilometres from the finish of the final stage and got stuck. With Greek driver George Philippedes also going off the road on the last run, Polish champion Grzegorz Grzyb overcame a vibration in his Fabia to take his first ERC points of the season and the second ERC podium of his career as Cypriot driver Alexandros Tsouloftas warmed up for his home round of the ERC later this month in fourth in what is only his first full season of rallying. Socratis Tsolakidis fought back from losing more than 10 minutes – and third place – changing a broken wheel after he struck a submerged rock in a watersplash on stage eight to finish one place behind as the top Greek driver. Albert von Thurn und Taxis was on course for his first ERC points in seventh when he rolled one kilometre from the finish of the final stage. There was also frustration for Efthimios Halkias, who was running first on the road on the final day but crashed out on stage nine. ERC stalwart Antonín Tlusťák retired with a fuel tank issue after stage two on Saturday but a replacement is being driven from Czech Republic – a journey of 21 hours – to enable the ERC stalwart to take up his planned entry on the upcoming Cyprus Rally. For Kajetanowicz, victory banished the memories of the opening-­stage roll he suffered in Greece last season and puts him ahead of the injured Alexey Lukyanuk and into second place in the ERC standings behind leader Magalhães. A number of drivers carried #getwellsoonLUCAS stickers on their cars in support of Lukyanuk – who continues to recover from injuries sustained in a testing crash in Russia last month – while remembering all those affected by the incident. “It’s an amazing feeling and thanks to everyone who believed in us,” said the Pirelli-­equipped Kajetanowicz, who trails Magalhães by 21 points. “It was one of the most difficult rallies of my life, so demanding for our car, body and mind but beautiful at the same time. It’s crazy and it’s amazing.”

ERC2: Melegari maintains overnight advantage Zelindo Melegari used all his experience to keep out of trouble and keep going to win ERC2 for the first time in a fine sixth overall. Co-driven by fellow Italian Maurizio Barone, MOVISPORT driver Melegari moved in front when Tibor Érdi Jr crashed out on the road section heading to Saturday’s fifth stage and steered clear of the drama to win in his hired Krikos Racing Mitsubishi. Érdi Jr was fastest in class on all six stages on his return under Rally 2 rules on Sunday to take second place. However, there was more frustration for Sergey Remennik. After retiring at the start of stage two with a fuel pressure issue, the Russian restarted on day two but rolled into retirement on Sunday’s opening stage. ERC3: Banaz hits back to head Turkish team-mate Buǧra Banaz survived a stage eight off to claim his maiden ERC3 victory with a controlled drive alongside navigator Burak Erdener. Keeping busy during the ERC Junior Under 27 Championship’s summer break, Banaz stopped on SS1 to rectify an ECU fault on his Ford Fiesta R2T before fighting back and passing fellow Castrol Ford Team Turkey driver Ümitcan Özdemir on SS5. Özdemir battled gearbox issues to finish second with Ismet Toktaş third in class on his European championship debut. Gryazin plans the ultimate ERC comeback in Cyprus Nikolay Gryazin plans to bounce back from his fiery SEAJETS Acropolis Rally exit by contesting the next round of the FIA European Rally Championship in Cyprus. The Cyprus Rally takes place from 16-18 June, and while Gryazin’s ŠKODA Fabia R5 was destroyed when it was engulfed by flames while he was leading in Greece yesterday afternoon, plans are underway to transport a replacement Fabia from Italy to Cyprus in time for the fourth round of the ERC. “There are some questions and logistical problems but I think we will drive in Cyprus but without test, only race,” the 19-year-old Sports Racing Technologies driver explained. “We have a car in Italy we can use, we will be prepared and we will come back strong. But the car is not ours so things will be different, like the seating position and that make it difficult.” Gryazin won the opening stage in Greece and was preparing for a big push on Saturday’s final stage when disaster stuck. “We had new tyres to try to win the final stage so I was confident,” said Gryazin, who was presented with the Colin McRae ERC Flat Out Trophy for his efforts. “We’re still not perfect but we made some good progress. It’s been a difficult rally but I am happy with my performance.” PROVISIONAL TOP 10 POSITIONS (after 12 stages, 229.74 kilometres) 1 Kajetan Kajetanowicz (POL)/Jarek Baran (POL) Ford Fiesta R5 2m49.40.6s 2 Bruno Magalhães (PRT)/Hugo Magalhães (PRT) ŠKODA Fabia R5 +2m58.7s 3 Grzegorz Grzyb (POL)/Jakub Wróbel (POL) ŠKODA Fabia R5 +6m05.3s 4 Alexandros Tsouloftas (CYP)/Denis Giraudet (FRA) Citroën DS3 R5 +8m48.3s 5 Socratis Tsolakidis (GRC)/Haris Dimos (GRC) ŠKODA Fabia R5 +16m49.2s 6 Zelindo Melegari (ITA)/Maurizio Barone (ITA) Mitsubishi Lancer E9 +2m05.6s 7 Vassillis Drymoussis (GRC)/Panaylotis (GRC) Subaru Impreza STI +25m43.5s 8 Buǧra Banaz (TUR)/Burak Erdener (TUR) Ford Fiesta R2T +26m06.0s 9 Ümitcan Özdemir (TUR)/Butuhan Memişyazici (TUR) Ford Fiesta R2T +27m45.4s 10 Tibor Érdi Jr (HUN)/György Papp (HUN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X +30m11.2s FIA ERC2: Zelindo Melegari (ITA)/Maurizio Barone (ITA) Mitsubishi Lancer E9 FIA ERC3: Buǧra Banaz (TUR)/Burak Erdener (TUR) Ford Fiesta R2T Colin McRae ERC Flat Out Trophy: Nikolay Gryazin (RUS)

THE RALLY WINNERS OF 2018 01 Azores Airlines Rallye (Portugal), 22-­24 March Overall Alexey Lukyanuk (RUS)/Alexey Arnautov (RUS)

Ford Fiesta R5 ERC2 Championship Juan Carlos Alonso (ARG)/Juan Pablo Monasterolo (ARG)

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X ERC3 Championship Diogo Gago (PRT)/Miguel Ramalho (PRT)

PEUGEOT 208 R2 ERC Junior U27 Diogo Gago (PRT)/Miguel Ramalho (PRT)

PEUGEOT 208 R2 ERC Junior U28 Chris Ingram (GBR)/Ross Whittock (GBR)

ŠKODA Fabia R5 ERC Ladies’ Trophy Tamara Molinaro (ITA)

Ford Fiesta R5 02 Rally Islas Canarias (Spain), 3-­5 May Overall Alexey Lukyanuk (RUS)/Alexey Arnautov (RUS)

Ford Fiesta R5 ERC2 Championship Tibor Érdi Jr (HUN)/György Papp (HUN)

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X ERC3 Championship Florian Bernardi (FRA)/Victor Bellotto (FRA)

Renault Clio R3T ERC Junior U27 Diogo Gago (PRT)/Miguel Ramalho (PRT)

PEUGEOT 208 R2 ERC Junior U28 Nikolay Gryazin (RUS)/Yaroslav Fedorov (RUS)

ŠKODA Fabia R5 ERC Ladies’ Trophy Emma Falcón (ESP)

Citroën DS3 R3T Remaining events: 31 May-­3 June: EKO Acropolis Rally (Greece, gravel) 15-­17 June: Cyprus Rally (Cyprus, gravel) 20-­22 July: Rally di Roma Capitale (Italy, asphalt) ERC Junior 24-­26 August: Barum Czech Rally Zlín (Czech Republic, asphalt) ERC Junior 21-­23 September: Rally Poland (Poland, gravel) ERC Junior 12-­14 October: Rally Liepāja (Latvia, gravel) ERC Junior

QUALIFYING STAGE WINNERS OF 2018 Azores Airlines Rallye (Portugal): Alexey Lukyanuk/Alexey Arnautov (Ford Fiesta R5) Rally Islas Canarias (Spain): Nikolay Gryazin/Yaroslav Fedorov (ŠKODA Fabia R5) Remaining events: 31 May-­3 June: EKO Acropolis Rally (Greece, gravel) 15-­17 June: Cyprus Rally (Cyprus, gravel) 20-­22 July: Rally di Roma Capitale (Italy, asphalt) ERC Junior 24-­26 August: Barum Czech Rally Zlín (Czech Republic, asphalt) ERC Junior 21-­23 September: Rally Poland (Poland, gravel) ERC Junior 12-­14 October: Rally Liepāja (Latvia, gravel) ERC Junior

STAGE WINS 2017 Driver 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Total Alexey Lukyanuk 6 10 6 Bruno Magalhães 4 0 4 Nikolay Gryazin -­ 2 2 Fredrik Åhlin 1 -­ 1 Orhan Avcioglu 0 1 1 Dávid Botka 1 0 1 Fabian Kreim 1 0 1 Ricardo Moura 1 -­ 1 Laurent Pellier 0 1 1 Hubert Ptaszek 1 0 1 Key: 1: Azores Airlines Rallye;; 2: Rally Islas Canarias;; 3: EKO Acropolis Rally;; 4: Cyprus Rally;; 5: Rally di Roma Capitale;; 6: Barum Czech Rally Zlín;; 7: Rally Poland;; 8: Rally Liepāja.

RALLY LEADERS OF 2018 01 Azores Airlines Rallye (Portugal), 22-­24 March SS1: Botka/Masterházi (ŠKODA Fabia R5) SS2-­SS15 Lukyanuk/Arnautov (Ford Fiesta R5) 02 Rally Islas Canarias (Spain), 3-­5 May SS1-­SS14 Lukyanuk/Arnautov (Ford Fiesta R5) Remaining events: 31 May-­3 June: EKO Acropolis Rally (Greece, gravel) 15-­17 June: Cyprus Rally (Cyprus, gravel) 20-­22 July: Rally di Roma Capitale (Italy, asphalt) ERC Junior 24-­26 August: Barum Czech Rally Zlín (Czech Republic, asphalt) ERC Junior 21-­23 September: Rally Poland (Poland, gravel) ERC Junior 12-­14 October: Rally Liepāja (Latvia, gravel) ERC Junior

ERC RALLY WINS 2004-­2018* 2004 Event Driver/Co-­driver Car Rally 1000 Miglia Basso/Dotta Fiat Punto S1600 Rally Poland Pedersoli/Vernuccio Peugeot 306 Maxi Rally Bulgaria Pedersoli/Vernuccio Peugeot 306 Maxi Belgium Ypres Westhoek Rally Cols/Goddé Renault Clio S1600 Rali Vinho da Madeira Sá/Camacho Peugeot 306 Maxi Barum Rally Zlín Jean-­Joseph/Boyere Renault Clio S1600 Fiat Rally Jean-­Joseph/Boyere Renault Clio S1600 Elpa Rally Jean-­Joseph/Boyere Renault Clio S1600 Rallye d’Antibes Jean-­Joseph/Boyere Renault Clio S1600 2005 Event Driver/Co-­driver Car Rally 1000 Miglia Travaglia/Zanella Renault Clio S1600 Rally Poland Hołowczyc/Kurzeja Subaru Impreza STI N11 Belgium Ypres Westhoek Rally Princen/Colebunders Renault Clio S1600 Rally Bulgaria Basso/Dotta Fiat Punto S1600 Rali Vinho da Madeira Travaglia/Zanella Renault Clio S1600 Barum Rally Zlín Travaglia/Zanella Renault Clio S1600 Fiat Rally Jean-­Joseph/Boyere Renault Clio S1600 Elpa Rally Basso/Dotta Fiat Punto S1600 Rallye d’Antibes Robert/Bedon Renault Clio S1600 2006 Event Driver/Co-­driver Car Rally 1000 Miglia Andreucci/Andreussi Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Fiat Rally Basso/Dotta Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Rally Poland Kuzaj/Szczepaniak Subaru Impreza STI N12 Belgium Ypres Westhoek Rally Basso/Dotta Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Rally Bulgaria Basso/Dotta Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Rali Vinho da Madeira Basso/Dotta Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Barum Rally Zlín Kresta/Gross Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX Elpa Rally Iliev/Yanakiev Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX Rallye d’Antibes Bouffier/Panseri Peugeot 206 S1600 2007 Event Driver/Co-­driver Car Rally 1000 Miglia Iliev/Yanakiev Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX Fiat Rally Vouilloz/Klinger Peugeot 207 S2000 INA Croatia Delta Rally Šebalj/Klinc Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX Rally Poland Travaglia/Granai Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX Belgium Ypres Westhoek Rally García Ojeda/Barrabés Costa Peugeot 207 S2000 Rally Bulgaria Iliev/Yanakiev Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX Rali Vinho da Madeira García Ojeda/Barrabés Costa Peugeot 207 S2000 Barum Rally Zlín Vouilloz/Klinger Peugeot 207 S2000 Elpa Rally Isik/Özsenler Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Rallye d’Antibes Travaglia/Scattolin Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX

2008 Event Driver/Co-­driver Car Istanbul Rally Rossetti/Chiarcossi Peugeot 207 S2000 Rally 1000 Miglia Rossetti/Chiarcossi Peugeot 207 S2000 INA Croatia Delta Rally C Fontana/Casazza Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Rally Poland Sołowow/M Baran Peugeot 207 S2000 Belgium Ypres Westhoek Rally Rossetti/Chiarcossi Peugeot 207 S2000 Rally Bulgaria Donchev/Valchev Peugeot 207 S2000 Rali Vinho da Madeira Basso/Dotta Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Barum Rally Zlín Travaglia/Granai Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Rallye d’Antibes Sołowow/M Baran Peugeot 207 S2000 2009 Event Driver/Co-­driver Car Rally 1000 Miglia Basso/Dotta Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Istanbul Rally Sołowow/M Baran Peugeot 207 S2000 Croatia Delta Rally Donchev/Yordanov Peugeot 207 S2000 Belgium Ypres Westhoek Rally Basso/Dotta Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Rally Bulgaria Basso/Dotta Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Rali Vinho da Madeira Basso/Dotta Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Barum Czech Rally Zlín Sołowow/M Baran Peugeot 207 S2000 Rallye Principe de Asturias Kopecký/Starý ŠKODA Fabia S2000 Elpa Rally Basso/Dotta Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Rallye d’Antibes Basso/Dotta Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Rallye International du Valais Basso/Dotta Abarth Grande Punto S2000 2010 Event Driver/Co-­driver Car Rally 1000 Miglia Rossetti/Chiarcossi Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Croatia Delta Rally Rossetti/Chiarcossi Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Rally Poland Kajetanowicz/J Baran Subaru Impreza STI N14 Belgium Geko Ypres Rally Kopecký/Starý ŠKODA Fabia S2000 Bosphorus Rally Rossetti/Chiarcossi Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Rali Vinho da Madeira Kopecký/Starý ŠKODA Fabia S2000 Barum Czech Rally Zlín Bouffier/Panseri Peugeot 207 S2000 Rallye Principe de Asturias L Fontana/Casazza Peugeot 207 S2000 Elpa Rally Protasov/Aftanaziv Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX Rallye d’Antibes Betti/D’Amore Peugeot 207 S2000 Rallye International du Valais Rossetti/Chiarcossi Abarth Grande Punto S2000 2011 Event Driver/Co-­driver Car Rally 1000 Miglia Rossetti/Chiarcossi Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Croatia Delta Rally Rossetti/Chiarcossi Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Bosphorus Rally Betti/Barone Peugeot 207 S2000 Geko Ypres Rally Sołowow/M Baran Ford Fiesta S2000 Rally Bulgaria Rossetti/Chiarcossi Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Rali Vinho da Madeira Rossetti/Chiarcossi Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Barum Czech Rally Zlín Sołowow/M Baran Ford Fiesta S2000 Rallye Principe de Asturias Betti/Barone Peugeot 207 S2000 Rally Poland Sołowow/M Baran Ford Fiesta S2000

Rallye d’Antibes Rossetti/Chiarcossi Abarth Grande Punto S2000 Rallye International du Valais Tlusťák/Škaloud ŠKODA Fabia S2000 2012 Event Driver/Co-­driver Car International Jännerrallye Kopecký/Dresler ŠKODA Fabia S2000 Rally 1000 Miglia Basso/Dotta Ford Fiesta RRC Croatia Delta Rally Hänninen/Markkula ŠKODA Fabia S2000 Rally Bulgaria Iliev/Yanakiev ŠKODA Fabia S2000 Geko Ypres Rally Hänninen/Markkula ŠKODA Fabia S2000 Bosphorus Rally Hänninen/Markkula ŠKODA Fabia S2000 Rali Vinho da Madeira Magalhães/Rodrigues da Silva Peugeot 207 S2000 Barum Czech Rally Zlín Hänninen/Markkula ŠKODA Fabia S2000 Rallye Principe de Asturias Vinyes/Mercader Suzuki Swift S1600 Rally Poland Lappi/Ferm ŠKODA Fabia S2000 Rallye International du Valais Reuche/Deriaz Peugeot 207 S2000 2013 Event Driver/Co-­driver Car International Jännerrallye Kopecký/Dresler ŠKODA Fabia S2000 Rally Liepāja-­Ventspils Ketomaa/Lindström Ford Fiesta RRC Rally Islas Canarias El Corte Inglés Kopecký/Dresler ŠKODA Fabia S2000 SATA Rallye Açores Kopecký/Dresler ŠKODA Fabia S2000 Giru di Corsica-­Tour de Corse Bouffier/Panseri Peugeot 207 S2000 Geko Ypres Rally Loix/Miclotte ŠKODA Fabia S2000 Sibiu Rally Kopecký/Dresler ŠKODA Fabia S2000 Barum Czech Rally Zlín Kopecký/Dresler ŠKODA Fabia S2000 LOTOS 70th Rally Poland Kajetanowicz/Baran Ford Fiesta R5 Croatia Rally Kopecký/Dresler ŠKODA Fabia S2000 Rallye Sanremo Basso/Dotta Peugeot 207 S2000 Rallye International du Valais Lappi/Ferm ŠKODA Fabia S2000 2014 Event Driver/Co-­driver Car 31 Int. Jännerrallye, Oberösterreich Kubica/Szczepaniak Ford Fiesta RRC Rally Liepāja Lappi/Ferm ŠKODA Fabia S2000 Acropolis Rally Breen/Martin Peugeot 208 T16 Circuit of Ireland Rally Lappi/Ferm ŠKODA Fabia S2000 49th SATA Rallye Açores Sousa/H Magalhães Ford Fiesta RRC Geko Ypres Rally Loix/Gitsels ŠKODA Fabia S2000 auto24 Rally Estonia Tänak/Mölder Ford Fiesta R5 Barum Czech Rally Zlín Pech/Uhel MINI John Cooper Works S2000 CNP Asfalistiki Cyprus Rally Al-­Rajhi/Orr Ford Fiesta RRC Rallye International du Valais Lappi/Ferm ŠKODA Fabia S2000 Giru di Corsica-­Tour de Corse Sarrazin/Renucci Ford Fiesta RRC

2015 Event Driver/Co-­driver Car Internationale Jännerrallye Kajetanowicz/Baran Ford Fiesta R5 Rally Liepāja Breen/Martin Peugeot 208 T16 Circuit of Ireland Rally Breen/Martin Peugeot 208 T16 SATA Rallye Açores Breen/Martin Peugeot 208 T16 Kenotek Ypres Rally Loix/Gitsels ŠKODA Fabia R5 auto24 Rally Estonia Lukyanuk/Arnautov Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Barum Czech Rally Zlín Kopecký/Dresler ŠKODA Fabia R5 CNP Asfalistiki Cyprus Rally Kajetanowicz/Baran Ford Fiesta R5 SEAJETS Acropolis Rally Kajetanowicz/Baran Ford Fiesta R5 Rallye International du Valais Lukyanuk/Arnautov Ford Fiesta R5 2016 Event Driver/Co-­driver Car Rally Islas Canarias El Corte Inglés Lukyanuk/Arnautov Ford Fiesta R5 Circuit of Ireland Rally Breen/Martin Citroën DS3 R5 SEAJETS Acropolis Rally Sirmacis/Šimins ŠKODA Fabia R5 Azores Airlines Rallye Moura/Costa Ford Fiesta R5 Kenotek Ypres Rally Loix/Gitsels ŠKODA Fabia R5 auto24 Rally Estonia Sirmacis/Kulšs ŠKODA Fabia R5 Rally Rzeszow Kajetanowicz/Baran Ford Fiesta R5 Barum Czech Rally Zlín Kopecký/Dresler ŠKODA Fabia R5 Rally Liepāja Sirmacis/Šimins ŠKODA Fabia R5 CNP ASFALISTIKI Cyprus Rally Lukyanuk/Arnautov Ford Fiesta R5 2017 Event Driver/Co-­driver Car Azores Airlines Rallye Magalhães/H Magalhães ŠKODA Fabia R5 Rally Islas Canarias Lukyanuk/Arnautov Ford Fiesta R5 SEAJETS Acropolis Rally Kajetanowicz/Baran Ford Fiesta R5 Cyprus Rally Al-­Attiyah/Baumel Ford Fiesta R5 Rally Rzeszow Bouffier/Dini Ford Fiesta R5 Barum Czech Rally Zlín Kopecký/Dresler ŠKODA Fabia R5 Rally di Roma Capitale Bouffier/Panseri Ford Fiesta R5 Rally Liepāja Gryazin/Fedorov ŠKODA Fabia R5 2018 Event Driver/Co-­driver Car Azores Airlines Rallye Lukyanuk/Arnautov Ford Fiesta R5 Rally Islas Canarias Lukyanuk/Arnautov Ford Fiesta R5 EKO Acropolis Rally Cyprus Rally Rally di Roma Capitale Barum Czech Rally Zlín Rally Poland Rally Liepāja * Since restructuring of ERC in 2004

ERC CHAMPIONS 2017: Kajetan Kajetanowicz (Poland) 2016: Kajetan Kajetanowicz (Poland) 2015: Kajetan Kajetanowicz (Poland) 2014: Esapekka Lappi (Finland) 2013: Jan Kopecký (Czech Republic) 2012: Juho Hänninen (Finland) 2011: Luca Rossetti (Italy) 2010: Luca Rossetti (Italy) 2009: Giandomenico Basso (Italy) 2008: Luca Rossetti (Italy) 2007: Simon Jean-­Joseph (France) 2006: Giandomenico Basso (Italy) 2005: Renato Travaglia (Italy) 2004: Simon Jean-­Joseph (France) 2003: Bruno Thiry (Belgium) 2002: Renato Travaglia (Italy) 2001: Armin Kremer (Germany) 2000: Henrik Lundgaard (Denmark) 1999: Enrico Bertone (Italy) 1998: Andrea Navarra (Italy) 1997: Krzysztof Hołowczyc (Poland) 1996: Armin Schwarz (Germany) 1995: Enrico Bertone (Italy) 1994: Patrick Snijers (Belgium) 1993: Pierre-­César Baroni (France) 1992: Erwin Weber (Germany) 1991: Piero Liatti (Italy) 1990: Robert Droogmans (Belgium) 1989: Yves Loubet (France) 1988: Fabrizio Tabaton (Italy) 1987: Dario Cerrato (Italy) 1986: Fabrizio Tabaton (Italy) 1985: Dario Cerrato (Italy) 1984: Carlo Capone (Italy) 1983: Miki Biasion (Italy) 1982: Antonio ‘Tony’ Fessina (Italy) 1981: Adartico Vudafieri (Italy) 1980: Antonio Zanini (Spain)

1979: Jochi Kleint (Germany) 1978: Antonio Carello (Italy) 1977: Bernard Darniche (France) 1976: Bernard Darniche (France) 1975: Maurizio Verini (Italy) 1974: Walter Röhrl (Germany) 1973: Sandro Munari (Italy) 1972: Raffaele Pinto (Italy) 1971: Sobiesław Zasada (Poland) 1970: Jean-­Claude Andruet (France) 1969: Harry Källström (Sweden) 1968: Pauli Toivonen (Finland) 1967: G1: Sobiesław Zasada (Poland) 1967: G2: Bengt Söderström (Sweden) 1967: G3: Vic Elford (Great Britain) 1966: G1: Lillebror Nasenius (Sweden) 1966: G2: Sobiesław Zasada (Poland) 1966: G3: Günther Klass (Germany) 1965: Rauno Aaltonen (Finland) 1964: Tom Trana (Sweden) 1963: Gunnar Andersson (Sweden) 1962: Eugen Böhringer (Germany) 1961: Hans-­Joachim Walter (Germany) 1960: Walter Schock (Germany) 1959: Paul Coltelloni (France) 1958: Gunnar Andersson (Sweden) 1957: Ruprecht Hopfen (Germany) 1956: Walter Schock (Germany) 1955: Werner Engel (Germany) 1954: Walter Schlüter (Germany) 1953: Helmut Polensky (Germany)

ERC PARTNERS OSCARO OSCARO, the world's leading online retailer of original automotive spare parts, becomes an Official Series Partner of the FIA European Rally Championship under a two-­year agreement with promoter Eurosport Events from 2018. At all ERC events, fans visiting the service park will be able to discover OSCARO at a dedicated display area where company personnel will be on hand to answer questions and explain more about OSCARO’s services and philosophy. OSCARO is also supporting ERC Junior Under 28 driver Pierre-­Louis Loubet through its Team OSCARO initiative, which, like the ERC, is focused on promoting the next generation of champions. Pierre-­Noël Luiggi, CEO of OSCARO, said: “With rallies in a number of our key markets, such as Italy, Portugal and Spain, the ERC provides a great opportunity to introduce OSCARO to new customers. And with so many promising young drivers striving to make an impression and earn their big opportunity, the partnership embodies the real spirit of the OSCARO brand and its true love of real competition.” PIRELLI Pirelli will continue to equip some of rallying’s brightest young prospects in 2018 as the Official Tyre Supplier to the 2018 FIA ERC Junior Under 27 Championship. A founding partner of ERC Junior in 2014 and a staunch supporter of driver development, Pirelli remains an Official Series Partner of the ERC under a long-­standing agreement with championship promoter Eurosport Events. Pirelli will supply its P Zero RK tyre for the three asphalt-­based rounds of ERC Junior Under 27 and its Scorpion K tyre for the three gravel events. It will also provide an on-­event support service including technical advice from experienced engineers. Pirelli's history in motorsport stretches back for more than 100 years, and the Italian company has been involved in rallying since the sport was internationally established. Currently supplying Formula 1 as well as GT racing and national championships on both two and four wheels, Pirelli is the acknowledged world leader when it comes to ultra-­high performance tyres. Terenzio Testoni, Pirelli’s Rally Activity Manager, said: “Pirelli is delighted to have been selected as the Official Tyre Supplier of the FIA ERC Junior Under 27 Championship as part of our company-­wide philosophy of promoting young talent in rallying to ensure the future of the sport. With Pirelli also being sole supplier to the FIA Junior WRC, as well as being present on several national rally series throughout Europe, a ladder of talent is in place to develop drivers from the grass roots of the sport all the way to the top, which is perfectly in keeping with the ethos behind the ERC as well. We look forward to another exciting season of great rallies and with the aim of discovering more champions of the future.”

KEY CONTACTS ERC CONTACTS ERC press officer: Richard Rodgers, media@fiaerc.com, +44 7503871575 ERC co-­ordination: Jean-­Baptiste Ley, Jean-­Baptiste_Ley@discovery.com, +33 667167719 ERC TV rights/distribution: Pascal Petit, pascal_petit@discovery.com, Vianney Castillo, vianney_castillo@discovery.com ERC PRESS OFFICER CONTACTS Azores Airlines Rallye Rui Anjos, media@azoresrallye.com Rally Islas Canarias Roberto Martí and Javier Viera, prensa@rallyislascanarias.com EKO Acropolis Rally Panos Diamantis, panos.diamantis@acropolisrally.gr Cyprus Rally Petros Soutzis, psoutzis@cytanet.com.cy Rally di Roma Capitale Stefano Cossetti, stefanocossetti@hotmail.it Barum Czech Rally Zlín Roman Ordelt, zlinpressmedia@seznam.cz Rally Poland Andrzej Borowczyk, a.borowczyk@rallypoland.pl Rally Liepāja Jānis Unbedahts, janis@raevents.lv TEAM/DRIVER PRESS OFFICER CONTACTS ACCR Czech Team: pluto.petr@gmail.com ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team: ml@opel-­motorsport.com Aloísio Monteiro: pedrobatalha@bigpress.pt BRC Racing Team: M.Bogliolo@brc.it Baumschlager Rallye & Racing Team: office@brr.at Citroën Vodafone Team: sbessa@sportsandyou.pt C Rally: ipleskot@c-­rally.com

MOL Racing Team: leslie.wrc@gmail.com Palmeirinha Rally: bruno.motorsportitalia@gmail.com PEUGEOT Rally Academy: etienne.devierre@ext.mpsa.com Rally Team Spain: HFraile@vopress.es Rallytechnology: office@rallytechnology.com Raly / Autoaçoreana Racing: ferreira.miguel@ftm.pt Russian Performance Motorsport: lina.arnautova@gmail.com Saintéloc Junior Team: v.ducher@sainteloc.com ŠKODA AUTO Deutschland: andreas.leue@skoda-­auto.de ŠKODA Slovakia Motorsport: mkoci@styllex.com Sysinfo Rally Team: dudas.endre@duen.hu Team Hyundai Portugal: sbessa@sportsandyou.pt Tiger Energy Drink Rally Team: r.rezler@gmail.com Toksport WRT: info@toksport.com

SEASON SO FAR: AZORES AIRLINES RALLYE FIA European Rally Championship 2018: Round 1 of 8 (22-­24 March)

LUKYANUK LANDS THE BIG PRIZE WITH AZORES ERC WIN *Home heroes Moura and Magalhães second and third on season opener *Ingram wins ERC Junior U28 on R5 debut as young stars shine *Portugal’s Gago claims ERC Junior U27 glory, Alonso triumphs in ERC2 Alexey Lukyanuk laid down an emphatic marker for his ERC rivals to aim for, leading the Azores Airlines Rallye from Thursday afternoon all the way through to Saturday’s final stage, and capping his wining start to this year’s FIA European Rally Championship with donuts before the finish line. Portuguese drivers Ricardo Moura and Bruno Magalhães gave their all, but had no answer for Lukyanuk’s rapid pace, while fellow Pirelli-­equipped Chris Ingram was one of a number of ERC Junior Under 28 stars to excel on the demanding gravel spectacular with a class win on his step up to R5 as the ERC Junior Under 27 champion. Martin Koči had been leading ERC Junior U28 up until the penultimate stage on his Azores debut but the ŠKODA Slovakia Motorsport driver would retire six kilometres from the start of the final run, ripping off the front-­left wheel of his Fabia R5. Diogo Gago secured the Pirelli-­supported ERC Junior Under 27 laurels on his home event, beating Rally Team Spain’s Efrén Llarena to first place. Llarena started the closing Tronqueira test – one of several broadcast live on RTP in the Azores, Portugal and beyond – in third place but took advantage when ADAC Opel Junior Rallye Team factory driver Mārtiņš Sesks was delayed by gearbox issues. Juan Carlos Alonso mounted an incredible comeback to win ERC2, recovering from a broken fuel pump on Thursday to make up three minutes and beat Sergei Remennik to victory after the Russian lost time with a time-­consuming spin in Tronqueira on Saturday morning. Leg two recap: Lukyanuk opens his ERC 2018 account with victory Holding a 21.8s lead over 10-­time Azorean champion Ricardo Moura, Lukyanuk found a way to drive around brake issues caused by a leaking caliper to win Saturday morning’s two long stages, nearly doubling his lead ahead of second placed Moura to 37.8s. Moura went all out attack in his attempts to reel in the rapidly escaping Lukyanuk, but his push went slightly too far when he clobbered a bank and spun his Fabia R5 on the first run through Tronqueira. Behind, Bruno Magalhães started the day in third and within touching distance of the leading pair, but a broken rear differential cost him more than half a minute and ruined his chances of a second successive victory on home soil by midday service in São Miguel’s capital Ponta Delgada. Lukyanuk took a steady approach to the final loop of stages, conserving his Pirelli tyres and trying not to make any mistakes. Moura’s pace faded somewhat in the afternoon, dropping to 47.9 seconds off first place before leg two’s final stage. Russian Performance Motorsport’s lead driver then set hearts racing with only a few hundred metres of Tronqueira’s second pass remaining, Lukyanuk pulling wide to celebrate his impending victory with donuts.

His showmanship cost some 30 seconds, but with nearly one minute in hand, entertaining the thousands of fans made no difference to the standings, sealing victory by 16.4s alongside co-­driver Alexey Arnautov. "I was so happy that I made some donuts before the end. Thanks to my team, my sponsors, they all did really great job. We tried to do our best to be clever and it worked,” said Lukyanuk. Despite selecting what he described as the ‘wrong’ tyre compound, Magalhães pressed on and closed in on Moura ahead, but came 9.3s short of stealing second place away by the finish. Portuguese champion Carlos Vieira and former Azores winner Bernardo Sousa lost their chances of top five finishes after separate accidents on Saturday’s opening stage. Vieira bent his Hyundai i20 R5’s right-­rear suspension and losing four minutes. Contact with a bank sent Sousa’s oil temperatures soaring and forcing him to retire. SS11 was delayed by Frank Tore Larsen crashing his Ford Fiesta R5 into a tree, blocking the stage and forcing his retirement. Hubert Ptaszek contributed to the final stage drama by crashing into a farm building, a mix-­up caused by an incorrect pacenote. Chris Ingram, Sweden’s Fredrik Åhlin, Mol Racing Team’s Hungarian champion Norbert Herczig, Łukasz Habaj from Poland, Briton Rhys Yates, Ricardo Teodósio and fellow Portuguese José Pedro Fontes completed the top 10. Luis Rego took a fine P11, one place ahead of ŠKODA AUTO Deutschland’s Fabian Kreim. Italian Tamara Molinaro won the ERC Ladies’ Trophy in P14 on her second outing in an R5 car. Brazilian Paulo Nobre took P18 on his international rallying return. Portugal’s Aloísio Monteiro was P22 at the start of his ERC adventure in an R5 car. ERC Junior Under 28: Ingram shines with debut victory Chris Ingram capped his FIA European Rally Championship four-­wheel-­drive debut with a first ERC Junior U28 class victory, retaking the lead on Saturday’s penultimate test from Martin Koči, who would crash out of second place on the closing stage. Ingram, who follows Marijan Griebel by winning on his ERC Junior U28 debut as ERC Junior U27 champion, had extended his lead to 15.8s after Saturday’s opener, but a puncture through Tronqueira’s first pass sent him straight back into Koči’s clutches. The Toksport WRT driver then went into tyre-­saving mode through SS13, ceding first place to Koči. Ingram replied immediately through SS14, regaining the lead and setting up an epic showdown with a slim 4.7s advantage over Koči, whose fantastic efforts came to a hugely frustrating end when he ripped the front-­left wheel from his ŠKODA Slovakia Fabia R5 and retired. “It was my mistake,” said said Koči. “I touched too much in one corner and it ripped the wheel off. I’m sorry for my team, my sponsors, the fans and my family and I’m sad for me.” Ingram added: “He put so much pressure on us so big respect to Martin. It’s a dream debut for me but I’m gutted not to be on the overall podium. It’s been awesome, I’m learning the car still and I work so hard to do this. I’m really proud for that.” Fredrik Åhlin inherited second place, a sensible and straightforward approach to his final day wrapping up an ERC Under 28 podium on his Azores debut. Likewise, his CA1 Sport team-­mate Rhys Yates scored his first ERC Under 28 podium with third place. Taking a deliberately cautious approach to preserve points for his Azorean championship campaign, Luis Rego finished fourth, while an impressive Fabian Kreim set the fastest time of anyone in SS13, even beating Russian Rocket Lukyanuk and last year’s winner Bruno Magalhães on his way to fifth in class. Tamara Molinaro was extremely unlucky to pick up punctures on both passes of Tronqueira, but her perseverance was rewarded with sixth place. Behind her were Tomasz Kasperczyk, Laurent Pellier and Pierre-­Louis Loubet securing positions seven through to nine respectively. OSCARO-­backed Loubet, who

like PEUGEOT Rally Academy’s Pellier showed glimpses of what might have been, setting a trio of overall top five stage times on leg two’s afternoon loop. Hubert Ptaszek crashed his ŠKODA Fabia R5 into a farm building on the final stage and got stuck for 20 minutes. ERC Junior Under 27: Gago streaks clear for Azores win Diogo Gago put his local knowledge to great use, further extending a 40s lead from Friday to secure FIA ERC Junior U27 victory by over a minute aboard his PEUGEOT 208 R2. Mārtiņš Sesks had been dueling with Gago for victory on Friday, but come Saturday he was instead looking backwards, fending off Efrén Llarena who had suffered a puncture and lost one minute the day before. A gearbox problem would settle their battle, Sesks losing first and second gear late on during Tronqueira’s rally-­ending test and dropping him behind an ecstatic Llarena. "Many thanks to the whole team, to this project of the Rally Team Spain, to the sponsors and to all the fans who from home, and some from here too, have supported us and followed every kilometre. Second place is yours too!" said Llarena. Gago said: “We did it and I’m so happy with this victory. We work really hard to win here. I’m proud of my team, my sponsors and my co-­driver.” Simon Wagner looked all set to pick up fourth place, but myriad of technical gremlins ground his car to a halt shortly after leg two’s penultimate stage. Powersteering failure coupled with a loose gear level made finishing SS14 difficult, before a broken engine and gearbox mountings sidelined Wagner with 22 competitive kilometres left. Dominik Brož moved up to fourth place as a consequence, as Wagner’s Saintéloc Junior team-­mate Catie Munnings took fifth. Mattia Vita retired when his front-­left wheel nuts failed on Friday’s first visit to Sete Cidades, but returned on Saturday to claim sixth. ERC2: Charging Alonso on top Juan Carlos Alonso turned a 2m53.6s deficit on Thursday evening into ERC2 victory on Saturday, catching and passing all his rivals in a sensational recovery drive. Alonso had been set back by a fuel pump failure on Thursday’s superspecial, but had already climbed to second place and one minute behind ERC2 leader Seregi Remennik by Friday night. Fifteen seconds had already been made up by Alonso in leg two’s opening test, but a spin into a pair of rocks by Remennik expedited Alonso’s charge up the order, giving him a lead he would not relinquish. Luís Pimentel finished third with Menderes Okur fourth. Zelindo Melegari crashed on SS13 after losing time this morning with a broken turbo. Tibor Érdi Jr retired on Thursday with broken suspension. PROVISIONAL TOP 10 POSITIONS (after 15 stages, 207.30 kilometres) 1 Alexey Lukyanuk (RUS)/Alexey Arnautov (RUS) Ford Fiesta R5 2h33m51.7a 2 Ricardo Moura (ITA)/Antonío Costa (PRT) ŠKODA Fabia R5 +16.4s 3 Bruno Magalhães (PRT)/Hugo Magalhães (PRT) ŠKODA Fabia R5 +25.7s 4 Chris Ingram (GBR)/Ross Whittock (GBR) ŠKODA Fabia R5 +1m24.2s 5 Fredrik Åhlin (SWE)/Joakim Sjöberg (SWE) ŠKODA Fabia R5 +2m33.1s 6 Norbert Herczig (HUN)/Ramón Ferencz (HUN) ŠKODA Fabia R5 +4m02.9s 7 Łukasz Habaj (POL)/Daniel Dymurski (POL) Ford Fiesta R5 +4m12.2s 8 Rhys Yates (GBR)/Elliott Edmondson (GBR) ŠKODA Fabia R5 +4m15.7s 9 Ricardo Teodósio (PRT)/José Teixeira (PRT) ŠKODA Fabia R5 +4m43.0s 10 José Pedro Fontes (PRT)/Paulo Babo (PRT) Citroën DS3 R5 +5m01.2s FIA ERC2: Juan Carlos Alonso (ARG)/Juan Pablo Monasterolo (ARG) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FIA ERC3: Diogo Gago (PRT)/Miguel Ramalho (PRT) PEUGEOT 208 R2 FIA ERC Junior Under 28: Chris Ingram (GBR)/Ross Whittock (GBR) ŠKODA Fabia R5 FIA ERC Junior Under 27: Diogo Gago (PRT)/Miguel Ramalho (PRT) PEUGEOT 208 R2 ERC Ladies’ Trophy: Tamara Molinaro (ITA)

RALLY LEADERS SS1: Dávid Botka SS2-­15: Alexey Lukyanuk STAGE WINNERS Leg one, part one (Thursday 22 March, 23.17 kilometres): SS1: Lagoa Stage (2.14kms): ERC1 ERC2 ERC3 ERC Junior U28 ERC Junior U27 Botka Alonso Rodrigues Yates Llarena SS2: Vila Franca São Bras 1 (17.08kms): Lukyanuk Alonso Sesks Koči Sesks SS3: Grupo Marques 1 (3.95kms) Åhlin Remennik Sesks Åhlin Sesks Leg one, part two (Friday 23 March, 75.56 kilometres): SS4: Pico da Pedra Golfe 1 (7.02kms) Moura Alonso Kristensson Yates Kristensson SS5: Feteiras Meo 1 (7.46kms): Lukyanuk Alonso Llarena Ingram Llarena SS6: Sete Cidades 1 (23.80kms) Lukyanuk Alonso Gago Ingram Gago SS7: Pico da Pedra Golfe 2 (7.02kms) Lukyanuk Alonso Gago Koči Gago SS8: Feteiras Meo 2 (7.46kms): Magalhães Alonso Sesks Ingram Gago SS9: Sete Cidades 2 (23.80kms) Magalhães Alonso Sesks Ingram Sesks Leg two (Saturday 24 March, 107.57 kilometres): SS10: Graminhais 1 (21.28kms): Lukyanuk Alonso Gago Ingram Gago SS11: Tronqueira 1 (21.99kms): Lukyanuk Alonso Llarena Ptaszek Llarena SS12: Grupo Marques 1 (3.95kms): Ptaszek Remennik Gago Ptaszek Gago SS13: Vila Franca São Bras 2 (17.08kms): Kreim Alonso Gago Kreim Gago SS14: Graminhais 2 (21.28kms) Magalhães Alonso Gago Loubet Gago SS15: Tronqueira 2 (21.99kms) Bouffier Alonso Llarena Ingram Llarena KEY STATISTICS ERC rally wins in 2018: Lukyanuk 1 ERC stage wins in 2018: Lukyanuk 6;; Magalhães 4;; Åhlin, Botka, Kreim, Moura, Ptaszek 1

SEASON SO FAR: RALLY ISLAS CANARIAS FIA European Rally Championship 2018: Round 2 of 8 (3-­5 May) ERC RALLY ISLAS CANARIAS HAT-TRICK FOR LUKYANUK *Russian makes it three successive victories on all-asphalt classic *Gryazin flies to ERC Junior U28 win as Gago doubles up in ERC Junior U27 *Late drama can’t stop Érdi Jr in ERC2, Bernardi wins ERC3, Falcón is leading lady Alexey Lukyanuk held off the threat from the leading FIA ERC Junior Under 28 Championship drivers to make it three Rally Islas Canarias wins in succession following a sublime performance alongside co-­driver Alexey Arnautov on Gran Canaria’s demanding all-­asphalt stages. In doing so they have become the first crew since Luca Rossetti and Matteo Chiarcossi in 2011 to win the first two events of an ERC season, a result that enables them to extend their title advantage in their Pirelli-­equipped Russian Performance Motorsport Ford Fiesta R5 on the back of 10 stage wins from 14. “I am very very happy,” said Lukyanuk. “We were winning a lot of stages and showing good confidence. We had some worries that the young drivers here would push really hard but we managed to do a good job, the weather was okay for us, the starting position was very clever and helped us to maintain a good speed. Thanks to Pirelli for tyres, everything worked well with no big problems so quite good for us.” Nikolay Gryazin and Yaroslav Fedorov landed the ERC Junior Under 28 spoils in style in second overall with a deliberately “calm” approach. After winning the Qualifying Stage on Thursday, they claimed two more stage bests in their Sports Racing Technologies ŠKODA Fabia R5, which ran on Michelin tyres. Behind Gryazin, a late turn of speed decided an epic battle for the final podium position between ERC Junior U28 drivers Fabian Kreim and José Suárez. Kreim had edged ahead early on today after taking third place on Friday night, and though Suárez, in a Hyundai Motor España i20 R5, retaliated just before midday service, ŠKODA AUTO Deutschland-­backed Kreim confirmed his first ever ERC podium finish with a storming drive through the rally’s final stage. ERC Junior Experience graduate Laurent Pellier capped a fantastic second ERC appearance with a top five overall finish, following on from his first ever stage win in Friday morning’s second test. PEUGEOT Rally Academy’s young star also recorded his first top five in ERC Junior U28, coming fourth and only 1.5s behind third placed Suárez. Diogo Gago made it two ERC Junior Under 27 wins from two starts following a thrilling battle with Mārtiņš Sesks, which had been a three-­way scrap in the Pirelli-­supported category until Efrén Llarena crashed heavily in his Rally Team Spain entry this morning, fortunately without injury to neither he nor co-­driver Sara Fernández. Tibor Érdi Jr recovered from his Azores Airlines Rallye exit to dominate ERC2 by going fastest on all but one stage. And with round one winner Juan Carlos Alonso failing to finish due to a technical issue, Érdi Jr’s title defence is back on track, despite a throttle fault causing him to stop three times on the last run to make emergency repairs.

Championship newcomer Florian Bernardi claimed the ERC3 victory in his Renault Clio, while Canary Islander Emma Falcón took the ERC Ladies’ Trophy spoils ahead of Catie Munnings, who overcame a late scare when a sensor issue struck nearing the finish of the final stage. Leg two recap: Safety-­first approach from Gryazin gives Lukyanuk comfortable win Alexey Lukyanuk’s position at the head of the ERC field was aided by a safety-­first approach from nearest rival Nikolay Gryazin, the ŠKODA Fabia R5 driver determined to preserve his ERC Junior U28 lead at all costs from a trio of rivals close behind. Fabian Kreim and José Suárez, in third and fourth respectively, were engaged in a tight scrap throughout Saturday morning, Kreim initially pulling out 1.6s across SS9 and SS10 before Suárez claimed 1.0s back on the morning’s final stage. A 3.5s gap after midday service turned into a 9.8s advantage two stages later for Kreim, but one last twist was to come. Kreim checked in late for the start of the final stage after being held by a police officer on a road section while routine checks were carried out. Starting out of position and afraid his podium was about to be lost, he turned up the wick and put in a blinding final stage time, increasing his gap by 9.2s over Suárez in fourth overall. That second-­fastest stage time – unsurprisingly behind rally winner Lukyanuk – was equalled by fifth placed finisher Laurent Pellier, who had started his day down in sixth place but came only 1.5s from usurping Suárez. Pellier capitalised on a difficult event for last year’s ERC runner-­up Bruno Magalhães, leapfrogging him into sixth place in Saturday’s opening test as Magalhães struggled with a pop-­off valve issue. Pellier then inherited fifth from compatriot Pierre-­Louis Loubet, as the Team-­OSCARO backed driver’s car ground to a halt on the liaison section between stages 10 and 11. Loubet had been pushing hard all weekend, keen to turn his promising pace from Azores into a concrete result in Gran Canaria. Though a car issue meant he left Rally Islas Canarias with only leg points from Friday, he left his mark – literally – not realising he had crossed the finish line at the end of SS9 and going flat out until almost reaching time control. Grzegorz Grzyb was another to benefit from Magalhães’ morning troubles, Rufa Sport’s main man moving past Magalhães one stage after Pellier and inheriting sixth following Loubet’s retirement. Magalhães fixed both his pop-­off valve problem and his car’s set-­up at midday service, climbing back to seventh overall in the afternoon after initially dropping behind Norbert Herczig and Iván Ares. Hyundai Motor España’s Spanish champion Ares would finish only 2.0s shy of Magalhães, having lost 2.7s to the Portuguese driver in the rally’s final stage. Herczig would not be able to hold on to his top ten finish. The Mol Racing Team ŠKODA Fabia R5 driver picked up a puncture in the rally’s penultimate stage, costing him 1m23.3s to Magalhães and down to P12. Thanks to a quick time in the rally-­ending SS14, he pipped Spaniard Surhayen Pernía to P11. Between Ares and Herczig in ninth and P10 were Eyvind Brynildsen and Łukasz Habaj. Brynildsen’s first tarmac rally in an R5-­specification car in five years had not gone exactly to plan, a suspected differential issue making his car difficult to drive while on the throttle, but a top ten finish was welcomed nonetheless. ERC Junior U28: Gryazin wraps up win Nikolay Gryazin wrapped up a faultless FIA ERC Junior Under 28 Championship victory on Rally Islas Canarias, winning four stages in category on Saturday despite his “cautious” approach. Sports Racing

Technologies-­run Gryazin went fastest in all three of Saturday morning’s stages, but took a back-­seat in the afternoon to a close battle for second place between Fabian Kreim and José Suárez. Kreim was pushing for his first ever ERC podium finish – both overall and in ERC Junior U28 – and went fastest in category during both SS12 and SS14 on his way to second place. Ringing the neck of his ŠKODA AUTO Deutschland Fabia R5, Kreim pushed his advantage over Suárez from 2.9s to 9.8s during Saturday’s first five stages, thought he had lost it all when checking into time control at SS14 time control late. Expecting to be penalised, Kreim pushed the limits of both his car and himself, almost doubling his lead in one stage alone to finish 18.9s ahead of Suárez in third. With Suárez having one eye firmly fixed on wrapping up Spanish national championship victory, PEUGEOT Rally Academy’s Laurent Pellier began closing in during leg two, having originally been ahead of Suárez on Friday morning before falling back. Though Pellier gouged 14.9s out of Suárez’s advantage, he fell just 1.5s shy by the end of SS14, settling for fourth in class but with an overall stage win on Friday morning to celebrate in lieu of a narrowly missed podium finish. Pierre-­Louis Loubet was also set to challenge for an ERC Junior U28 podium finish aboard his Team OSCARO-­backed, BRC Racing Team-­prepared Hyundai i20 R5, but an electrical failure in the road section between SS10 and SS11 ended his rally short. That retirement handed Hubert Ptasezk fifth place, who compared his repaired TRT Krezus Rally Team Fabia to a “Mercedes S-­Class” on Saturday morning. His Friday afternoon had been a noisy one, his left-­rear wheel bearing causing loud vibrations in the cockpit and giving Ptasezk a headache. Aleks Zawada capped his ERC Junior U28 debut with sixth place, thanks to some hard graft from his mechanics on Saturday morning. Having clipped a kerb in SS5 yesterday and damaging his right-­rear wheel, his MSZ Racing family outfit did not have the required spare part to manage a quick fix, but extra time spent working on his car before heading out to Saturday’s stages allowed him to finish the rally. ERC Junior U27: Gago edges Sesks in three-­way thriller Diogo Gago scored his second consecutive FIA ERC Junior Under 27 Championship victory, but was made to work extremely hard for first place by ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team starlet Mārtiņš Sesks and Spanish youngster Efrén Llarena in the Pirelli-­supported category. Sesks had stunned onlookers by leading ERC Junior U27 after Leg One on his tarmac debut. It didn’t last long however as Gago immediately moved into the lead on Saturday’s opening stage, Sesks momentarily lost track of his pace-­notes and dropping to third place. A rapidly recovering Llarena moved into second between Gago and Sesks on SS9, having briefly led on Friday morning himself before his tyres went off dramatically and dropped him to fifth. Only 1.1s separated the top three after Saturday’s opener, but an enthralling three-­way tussle was thinned to only two protagonists on the next stage. Now only 0.9s behind leader Gago, Llarena sensed an opportunity, and made his move for first place in Moya’s first pass. Eager to shave every millisecond off his stage time possible, Llarena took too deep a cut on a right-­hand corner with a tree inside, ripping a front-­right wheel from his Rally Team Spain PEUGEOT 208 R2 and pitching him into a rockface. Though Llarena and co-­driver Sara Fernandez were unhurt, their rally was over. With Llarena out of the equation, Gago pushed on and edged further ahead of Sesks, building an 11.0s advantage before the final stage and securing victory by 8.9s.

Simon Wagner inherited third position from Llarena’s retirement, 26.0s behind Sesks aboard his Saintéloc Junior Team-­prepared 208. Tom Kristensson recorded his first ERC Junior U27 finish of 2018 with fourth place, 56.4s behind Gago and satisfied that he had made no mistakes during the event. Escuderia La Coruña’s Roberto Blach finished fifth, putting in a good turn of pace to almost triple his time advantage over Miika Hokkanen from 16.6s at the end of Leg One to 47.3s by the rally’s conclusion. ERC Under 27 debutant Roland Stengg enjoyed his run to seventh place, well clear of Dominik Brož. ACCR Czech Team’s national prodigy suffered a dramatic end to his rally, going off two corners from the finish line of SS14 before finishing eighth. Brož had perhaps given his good luck charm to Catie Munnings, adding a daisy to her Peugeot 208’s door. As the day wore on said daisy began to wilt, and at the end of SS14 a faulty sensor suggested her engine was also wilting with high water temperature. A friendly push up the hill from ERC2 competitor Sergei Remennik and a power cycle later, she trundled back to service to secure ninth. ERC2: Tibor Érdi Jr. makes title ambitions clear with dominant win Tibor Érdi Jr put a disappointing early retirement on the Azores Airlines Rallye by scoring a dominant ERC2 victory, setting the fastest production category stage time in all but one test across both days. Starting day two with a 31.8s lead over Azores ERC2 winner Juan Carlos Alonso, Érdi had almost doubled his advantage over Alonso by the morning loop’s end, holding a 51.9s lead at midday service. His task of scoring maximum points was made much easier when Alonso was unable to contest the second leg and retired, shuffling Zelindo Melegari up to second place. Sadly, Melegari would not finish either, retiring in the penultimate stage due to an engine problem. Érdi had set fastest times in all 13 preceding stages heading into the rally-­closing Galdar rerun, but hopes of a completely perfect rally were dashed by a throttle issue, allowing Sergei Remennik a token fastest stage time. Remennik was left to take up second place after Melegari’s retirement, a just reward for working so hard on Friday by driving with no power steering for most of Leg One’s afternoon loop. Gilbert Bannout’s rally had a happy ending after an early retirement on Friday. He repeated his ERC2 podium finish from last year’s Rally Islas Canarias, this time at the wheel of a Toksport WRT-­prepared Subaru Impreza STI. ERC Ladies’ Trophy: Falcón scores hard-­earned home victory Canary Islands native Emma Falcón scored a popular home win in the ERC Ladies’ Trophy, beating Catie Munnings to victory by 42.5s despite gearbox troubles throughout both days. Signs that Falcón’s quest for victory would not be a straightforward one emerged back on Friday morning when she stopped to check what she thought was a puncture in SS3, dropping 30s. Gear selection issues then set the Fuerteventura-­based driver back further on Friday evening, an issue which persisted throughout Saturday. Sunday’s fastest times were split evenly between the pair, as Falcón struggled especially through Moya’s two passes. Though Munnings had cut her gap to Falcón ahead down to only 24.3s after SS10, by rally’s end the gap had crept back up to 42.5s. PROVISIONAL TOP 10 POSITIONS (after 14 stages, 202.72 kilometres) 1 Alexey Lukyanuk (RUS)/Alexey Arnautov (RUS) Ford Fiesta R5 2h06m23.6s 2 Nikolay Gryazin (RUS)/Yaroslav Fedorov (RUS) ŠKODA Fabia R5 +51.4s 3 Fabian Kreim (DEU)/Frank Christian (DEU) ŠKODA Fabia R5 +1m29.5s 4 José Suárez (ESP)/Cándido Carrera (ESP) Hyundai i20 R5 +1m48.4s 5 Laurent Pellier (FRA)/Geoffrey Combe (FRA) PEUGEOT 208 T16 1m49.9s 6 Grzegorz Grzyb (POL)/Jakub Wróbel (POL) ŠKODA Fabia R5 +2m04.5s 7 Bruno Magalhães (PRT)/Hugo Magalhães (PRT) ŠKODA Fabia R5 +2m21.1s 8 Iván Ares (ESP)/José Pintor (ESP) Hyundai i20 R5 +2m23.1s 9 Eyvind Brynildsen (NOR)/Torstein Eriksen (NOR) Ford Fiesta R5 +2m25.9s 10 Łukasz Habaj (POL)/Daniel Dymurski (POL) Ford Fiesta R5 +3m07.4s

FIA ERC2: Tibor Érdi Jr (HUN)/György Papp (HUN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FIA ERC3: Florian Bernardi (FRA)/Victor Bellotto (FRA) Renault Clio R3T FIA ERC Junior Under 28: Nikolay Gryazin (RUS)/Yaroslav Fedorov (RUS) ŠKODA Fabia R5 FIA ERC Junior Under 27: Diogo Gago (PRT)/Miguel Ramalho (PRT) PEUGEOT 208 R2 ERC Ladies’ Trophy: Emma Falcón (ESP) Citroën DS3 R3T RALLY LEADERS SS1-­SS14: Alexey Lukyanuk/Alexey Arnautov STAGE WINNERS Leg one (Friday 4 May, 100.98 kilometres): SS1: Valsequillo 1 (10.96kms): ERC1 ERC2 ERC3 ERC Junior U28 ERC Junior U27 Lukyanuk Érdi Jr Llarena Suárez Llarena SS2: San Mateo 1 (15.04kms): Pellier Érdi Jr Bernardi Pellier Sesks SS3: Artenara 1 (23.05kms): Lukyanuk Érdi Jr Bernardi Gryazin Gago SS4: Valsequillo 2 (10.96kms): Lukyanuk Érdi Jr Bernardi Gryazin Llarena SS5: San Mateo 2 (15.04kms): Lukyanuk Érdi Jr Bernardi Gryazin Llarena SS6: Artenara 2 (23.05kms): Lukyanuk Érdi Jr Bernardi Gryazin Llarena SS7: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 1 (7.02kms): Gryazin Érdi Jr Gago Gryazin Gago SS8: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 2 (7.02kms): Avcioǧlu Érdi Jr Gago Kreim Gago Leg two (Saturday 5 May, 101.74 kilometres): SS9: Arucas 1 (11.58kms): Lukyanuk Érdi Jr Llarena Gryazin Llarena SS10: Moya 1 (15.08kms): Gryazin Érdi Jr Gago Gryazin Kristensson SS11: Galdar 1 (24.21kms): Lukyanuk Érdi Jr Bernardi Gryazin Gago SS12: Arucas 2 (11.58kms): Lukyanuk Érdi Jr Bernardi Kreim Gago SS13: Moya 2 (15.08kms): Lukyanuk Érdi Jr Gago Gryazin Gago SS14: Galdar 2 (24.21kms): Lukyanuk Remennik Bernardi Kreim Sesks KEY STATISTICS ERC rally wins in 2018: Lukyanuk 2 ERC stage wins in 2018: Lukyanuk 16;; Magalhães 4;; Gryazin 2;; Åhlin, Avcioǧlu, Botka, Kreim, Moura, Pellier 1, Ptaszek 1