Lehdistötiedotteet - WRS3: France

WRS3: France

The fourth round of the WRC3 championship saw the series fly back to Europe, for the first fully asphalt event of the season, which was set to mix up the order somewhat as rally skills were out of the window, in exchange for precision and core driving skills on the roads of France.

This was immediately evident as Rally Mexico winner Hunter struggled with fundamental pace, not able to hang the back of the car out in the way he has become accustomed, finishing outside of the Top 5 in all but one stage on Day 1, leaving Adam Mazur and Bão Pereira as Vaculik's nearest contenders, some 30 seconds adrift of the championship leader out front.

This reshuffle continued into Day 2 as a few different names filled the top spots stage by stage, with Vaculik's form slipping slightly and allowing Bão Pereira to take two stages, and surprisingly, from nowhere, Hunter winning Stage 4, but the story of the day was the MONSTER 55km run of Stage 3 "Sarrola - Carcopino". This +36 minute marathon tested each and every drivers endurance, and saw the end of the French rally for Gavilan, Santos Rodrigues, and Houff.

Going into the final day there were three distinct battles to settle. Bão Pereira Vs Mazur for P2 and P3, separated by all of just 8 seconds. Both drivers likely to reign in Varadi for 3rd in the standings if they finish as they are. Further down, the battle for 4th, with Müller, Hunter and Castroneves just 14 seconds apart, and 13 seconds between Rytov in P10 and the chasing pack to 13th. Ultimately it would be runaway victor Vaculik leading the field home, from Bão Pereira and Mazur finishing off the podium places. Wynn Hunter managed to limit the damage caused by his lack of raw driving skill with a P4, Varadi scores modest points in P7, but relinquishes 3rd in the standings.

So it's three wins from four for championship favourite Martin Vaculik, as he stamps his authority on the series, with the points looking as follows with the series heading to Argentina.

1. M. Vaculik - 93pts
2. W. Hunter - 55pts
3. J. Bão Pereira - 48pts
4. D. Varadi - 41pts
5. A. Mazur - 39pts