RALLYE DE FRANCE/TOUR DE CORSE – DAY 2 (SATURDAY)
• Kevin Abbring: now in 9th place in strong & full J-WRC field…
• Hans Weijs jr: puncture and difficulties with pace notes…
Today saw the two KNAF Talent First Team Holland drivers Kevin Abbring and Hans Weijs defending their positions in the J-WRC classification. With hardly any retirements the full and strong J-WRC field is very competitive in this Rallye de France/Tour de Corse.
Kevin Abbring/Erwin Mombaerts (Renault Clio) managed to move up a place and are now 9th. Despite a puncture Hans Weijs/Hans van Goor (Citroën C2 R2 Max) is still 12th. Both drivers showed again that they have learned how to use their cars (and their own abilities!) to the maximum when the circumstances are difficult.
And they both know that if one of them finishes tomorrow the Dutch KNAF will win the FIA ASN Cup from France! FFSA Citroën-driver Sébastien Ogier is doing well in the mean time, moving up the J-WRC classification to third at the end of Day 2.
Kevin Abbring
During the second day Kevin Abbring learned a lot again: "But I’m also enjoying myself on these demanding stages. It is difficult, because none of the stages are similar to another, so you are constantly being challenged," told the youngest driver in J-WRC at the finish of the second day.
"And I’m still trying to figure out how to keep my tires in good shape for the duration of the longer stages. If you go too fast you will lose grip quickly." His service crew had an easy day, changing wheels and cleaning the windows was basically what they had to do – and of course checking the Renault Clio’s general condition.
Hans Weijs jr
"Although we lost three minutes on stage 11 when we had to change a flat tire, we are still in 12th place," said Hans Weijs tonight. "But what worries us most is that we are really struggling with the pace notes.
After my accident last week in Spain (due to a mistake in the notes) I probably was a little bit too concerned and during the recce I gave my co-driver Hans van Goor too conservative notes. And you can not change that anymore during the rally.
We are thus losing a lot of time." His co-driver agreed with the view of Hans Weijs: "We just have to drive as cautious as possible and bring the car to the finish tomorrow. It is a good lesson for the future." Their Citroën C2 R2 Max is doing fine and is in good shape for another day of demanding rallying.
Rallye de France / Tour de Corse
Only on the last (12th) stage of today Sébastien Loeb (Citroën) was beaten for fastest time by Belgian Ford-driver François Duval, but Loeb is a strong leader with almost one minute advantage over Ford-drivers Hirvonen (2nd) and Duval (3rd).
Martin Prokop (Citroën) is the new leader in J-WRC and local hero Pierre Campana (Renault Clio) is second, with Sébastien Ogier moving up to third. On the third and final day competitors are awaiting 2 laps of 2 stages (116,26 kms, total distance 245,14 kms), before crossing the finish podium in Ajaccio (just before 3.00 pm).
- Willy Weyens also photos -
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