Panteli seals maiden ERC2 win on home event

There had been a lead change overnight in the production-spec category, as Polykarpou was handed down a 20 second penalty for checking out late from Saturday evening’s service in Larnaca.

This gave Panteli a 0.2s advantage as Sunday’s five stages began, albeit with Polykarpou expected to mount a strong comeback after winning four stages to Panteli’s two on Saturday.

Polykarpou’s hopes were dashed almost instantly, as a right rear puncture in SS7 forced him to pull over mid-stage and change a wheel, dropping five minutes and handing Panteli a lead he would hold until the very end.

Michalis Posedias ensured a Cypriot 1-2 in ERC2, losing 18.5s to Panteli in SS7 before gaining that time back – and a little more – across Sunday afternoon’s two stage loop to finish 33.8s adrift of Panteli.

Juan Carlos Alonso scored a welcomed third place after two consecutive retirements on Rally Islas Canarias and EKO Acropolis Rally. Starting first on the road had compromised his speed on Saturday, so was happy to keep his driving neat and tidy and ensure a solid haul of points to go with his podium trophy.

Much like Alonso, Zelindo Melegari was pleased to bring his Movisport Lancer back safe and sound for good points in fourth place, after a pair of challenging events to begin his season on Airlines Azores Rallye and Rally Islas Canarias. He did enough to fend off the recovering Polyparkou in fifth place, finishing 25.1s ahead.

The post Panteli seals maiden ERC2 win on home event appeared first on FIA ERC.