Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle (Citroën) win the RallyRACC for the first time
08/10/2017
· Ogier/Ingrassia (Ford) have everything on their side to take their 5th consecutive title
· Neuville/Gilsoul (Hyundai) have few chances to become champions
· Sordo/Martí (Hyundai) win the Power Stage
· Nil Solans-Miquel Ibàñez (Ford) will compete in 7 rounds of the WRC2 in 2018
PortAventura World, Salou, October 8, 2017.- Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle (Citroën C3 WRC) became the 14th team to win the RallyRACC in the 27 editions in which this round has been part of the WRC, a success they consolidated during the two days run on tarmac that they led since the beginning of the rally on this surface. They were accompanied on the podium by Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (Ford Fiesta WRC) and Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja (Ford Fiesta WRC), in a rally where there were eight different stage winners and that was full of excitement and uncertainty during the three days of competition.
The third and last day of the 53 RallyRACC Catalunya-COSTA DAURADA, Rally de España 2017, started at 6:00 am, with 60 cars getting out from the Portaventura World service park that were forced to fit an additional light rack to start a complicated day, as they would not have the help of the mechanics, with the 6 scheduled stages (74.26 timed kilometres) run without returning to Salou until the end.
Despite not being necessary due to their enviable position at the start of the day, Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle (Citroën) did not leave any option to their rivals in the first pass through L'Albiol (6,28 km), Riudecanyes (16,35 km) and Santa Marina (14,50 km), as they won the three stages and increased their advantage over Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (Ford), who finished the loop 23s9 behind, and Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja (Ford) who were 25s7 adrift. Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul's retirement when they damaged the front right wheel of their Hyundai at Santa Marina, left the battle for the drivers and constructors championship practically secured for Ogier and Ford/M-Sport respectively.
The start of the morning was dramatic for Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm (Toyota), who had an off at Riudecanyes when they were in sixth position. On the other hand, Dani Sordo/Marc Martí (Hyundai) returned to the race under the Rally 2 option and were able to take the second place at Riudecanyes and Santa Marina. Their team mates at Hyundai, Andreas Mikkelsen/Anders Jaeger, also returned after suffering yesterday an incident similar to the Spanish duo, but had to run at Riudecanyes with the bonnet up, as it was not adjusted correctly after taking off the additional lights.
The Power Stage for Sordo/Martí (Hyundai)
Kris Meeke's dominance in this last day, after being fastest again at L'Albiol and Riudecanyes, was interrupted only by Dani Sordo's victory at the Power Stage, which he won after also taking the Power Stage in Germany, gathering 5 additional points. The rest of the top 5 in this stage were Meeke, Ogier, Tänak and Hänninen, who took 4, 3, 2 and 1 point respectively.
Kris Meeke won the RallyRACC for the first time, his 5th win in the World Rally Championship, and was accompanied on the podium by Sébastien Ogier, who reinforced his lead in the drivers' championship, and Ott Tänak, who is now second in the provisional Drivers standings after passing Thierry Neuville. Over at WRC2 and with the title already secured by Pontus Tidemand (Skoda), Teemu Suninen/Mikko Markkula (Ford) achieved their first win of the season. Nil Solans/Miquel Ibàñez (Ford) secured here the FIA Junior Championship title after already taking the WRC3 title, also winning the 53 RallyRACC in both categories. At the Volant RACC-Trofeu Mavisa, that was only held the first day, the winners were Josep Bassas/Manel Muñoz (Peugeot), who also lead the series.
The next round, second-to-last of the calendar, will be the Rally of Wales Great Britain, from October 27 to 29, where both the Drivers and Constructors title could be decided.
Final classification of the 53 RallyRACC
1-Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle (Citroën C3 WRC), 3h01'21''1
2-Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (Ford Fiesta WRC), + 28''0
3-Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja (Ford Fiesta WRC), + 33''0
4-Juho Hänninen/Kaj Lindström (Toyota Yaris WRC), + 54''1
5-Mads Østberg/Torstein Eriksen (Ford Fiesta WRC), + 2'26''2
6-Stéphane Lefebvre/Gabin Moreau (Citroën C3 WRC), + 2'43''0
7-Elfyn Evans/Daniel Barritt (Ford Fiesta WRC), + 4'37''4
8-Teemu Suninen/Mikko Markkula (Ford Fiesta R5, 1r WRC2), + 8'22''7
9-Jan Kopecký/Pavel Dresler (Skoda Fabia R5), + 8'54''5
10-Ole Christian Veiby/Stig Rune Skjaermoen (Skoda Fabia R5), + 9'04''8
28-Nil Solans/Miquel Ibàñez (Ford Fiesta R2T, 1st WRC3 and Junior), + 27'412
etc to 53 classified
