 'Spectacle insured with Leszek Kuzaj' Persbericht: ERC
Foto: Moto.pl
After the spectacular opening match in the Netherlands, the Euro Rally Challenge moves to Germany on April 18 and 19. The participants of this new international championship are favorite for the victory at the Vogelsberg Rally.
Bart Hissink, coordinator of the Euro Rally Challenge, drove the Vogelsberg Rally last year as Jan Nijhof’s co-pilot in a BMW M3 Compact. He is enthusiastic about the trail and the atmosphere: 'The rally starts at Friday with a super special for a lot of enthusiastic spectators. On Saturday 8 special stages are still to be driven. The longest one is “Schotten” with 27 km , but the stage where the rally will be decided is “Niederaula”, 16 km long. That stage is very challenging and technical, narrow and fast bumpy roads through the woods and most curves are blind. A real Special Stage.”
For two participants of the Euro Challenge Rally the Vogelsberg is their home-rally. Tim Stebani has entered with a Skoda Octavia kit car. In Group H Stebani will compete against the unique Subaru Legacy of Joost Kusters, a car that is powered by a real-Prodrive ex-boxer from Colin McRae 1994, and the fast Opel Kadett from Hans Ole Funch. Both pilots from Ireland, Paddy White and Gerard Sharkey, are not starting due to problems finding time.
Janina Depping focuses primarily on the catfight with Ellen Lohr, the former DTM pilot. Janina proves her luck with her trusted Mitsubishi Lancer Evo7 Gr.N, while Ellen Lohr will drive a Subaru Impreza WRX STi N12. But Janina will certainly look out for Dennis Kuipers, who has won the first rally of the ERC with his Peugeot 207 Super 2000 in group N. They should both look out for the Dane Pedersen, who didn’t finish in the Tank S Rally and for Edwin Schilt with his Subaru Impreza WRX STi N14. In Group R, Jan de Winkel unfortunately cannot start because his Renault Clio is not yet complete.
The WRC boys will battle for the overall victory. Erik Wevers already has a victory with his Ford Focus WRC06 in the Belgian Hannut, but in the Tank S Rally he had to bow for the Subaru Impreza WRC S12 from Mark van Eldik. The duel could be thoroughly disturbed by the Polish Leszek Kuzaj, with a Skoda Fabia WRC. Other Skoda WRC's are there for Harry Kleinjan, John Temmink and Ger Haverkate, only the last one is an Octavia Evo3. After a short test, René Kuipers makes his big debut with his brand new Ford Focus WRC06. Serious opponents for Mihali Hodula with his Mitsubishi GrA, but the Hungarian knows like no other in the Euro Rally Challenge that it’s not all about the result. Fighting for seconds on the stages, but especially enjoy and party with rally friends after, that’s the spirit of the Euro Rally Challenge! |
