新闻 - WRS R8-11 report: The finest margins on dirt

WRS R8-11 report: The finest margins on dirt

WRS Sardegna (265.52km distance)

Two major battles developed on the Italian isle. A stage 1 puncture left Zhuk needing to chase Rezervists for much of the rally. They would finally reclaim 3rd at the end of day 3 and stay there. Meanwhile, Hunter came back from 12 seconds down to turn the final day into an epic rally duel... but he would fall 1.1 seconds short of Cels at the final timing beam.

1st: V. Cels/V. Markov, 2:37:07.622
2nd: W. Hunter/N. Hampshire, +01.132
3rd: J. Zhuk/Y. Ghaleb, +02:13.403

WRS Finland (224.11km distance)

Csabi Szasz II would lead the rally after the prologue, but this was a glory run on asphalt tyres and the standard hierarchy would quickly re-emerge, with Szasz later DNF'ing. Zatacka won stages, but couldn't challenge Cels or Hunter overall, who both led at certain points. This time, it was Hunter who would win in another narrow contest.

1st: W. Hunter/N. Hampshire, 2:07:58.753
2nd: V. Cels/V. Markov, +03.812
3rd: P. Zatacka/A. Haggui, +30.898

WRS Germany (325.274km distance)

This looked like a rally for Cels early on, but then in the lengthy stage 7 most of their lead was eliminated, and by the end of day 2, Hunter led, which he would retain for the rest of the rally. It's unclear exactly why this reversal in fortunes happened, though Hunter's team rationed out their two dry tyre sets better throughout the rally.

Zatacka was set to podium again, only to lose it on stage 11 and be off the pace on day 4.

1st: W. Hunter/N. Hampshire, 3:17:02.864
2nd: V. Cels/V. Markov, +16.134
3rd: J. Zhuk/Y. Ghaleb, +01:17.278

WRS Turkey (300.81km distance)

Big trouble for Hunter on stage 3, likely puncture related. He would still put in a valiant effort, but was always destined for 2nd. The real drama here happened between Zhuk and Rezervists for 3rd. Zhuk had managed to claim 3rd on day 3 and was still there on the final stage... only to crash out, a crushing blow for both their rally and championship.

1st: V. Cels/V. Markov, 2:58:50.531
2nd: W. Hunter/N. Hampshire, +30.296
3rd: A. Rezervists/B. Kuncl, +01:55.553

Wynn Hunter still enjoys a 15 point championship lead. One more rally win may put the title realistically out of reach of Cels. Behind them, Zatacka and Rezervists are tied for 3rd place on points, so it'll be interesting to see if Zatacka can retain their spot as the best of the rest, or if Rezervists will top 3 in their WRS debut season...