Pellier sets an example in ERC3 Cyprus cameo

ERC Junior Experience graduate Pellier is a regular campaigner for PEUGEOT Rally Academy in the ERC Junior Under 28 category, but with no points on offer in ERC Junior U28 this weekend, dropped down to ERC3 for Cyprus.

Rather than having his usual PEUGEOT 208 T16 workhorse underneath him, Pellier is driving a 208 R2, prepared by the same Saintéloc Junior Team which is responsible for his ERC Junior U28 assault.

Familiarity with both team and car had a clear effect, as not even a front right puncture could stop him from building a comfortable cushion over his ERC3 rivals.

Artur Muradian completed Leg One second in ERC3 despite driving someone else’s car. His usual TBRacing-prepared machinery, a PEUGEOT 208 R2, was heavily battle scarred from a gruelling EKO Acropolis Rally two weeks prior. This meant his 208 was sent away for repairs while he borrowed a Renault Clio R3 from fellow Acropolis competitor “El Nak Jr”.

While his loaned R3-specification Clio has more power than his usual R2 charge, it also weighs in at 150kg heavier, leaving Muradian to spend most of Leg One adapting his driving style to suit a car he hadn’t driven since 2016.

While his driving on special stages was excellent given his unfamiliar equipment, one small blot on his copybook came before SS4, missing a junction on his roadbook and ending up lost. He soon found his bearings, but arrived at stage time control late, picking up time penalties for his delayed arrival.

Local entrant Constantinos Televantos finished Leg One in third place, keeping his Q8 Oils Rally Team Ford Fiesta R2 on the road and out of major trouble. However, he remains under intense pressure from ERC Ladies’ Trophy leader Catie Munnings, who is only 11.6 seconds behind despite a difficult Saturday afternoon.

Pellier’s Saintéloc Junior team-mate Munnings was forced to stop three kilometres from the finish of SS4 to change a puncture, only to sustain a second puncture one stage later. With no spares remaining she backed off in SS6, yet still gained 15.9s on Televantos to set up an exciting battle for Leg Two on Sunday.

Norbert Bereczki completed his first full day of ERC3 competition fifth in class, ahead of Emma Falcón in sixth place. Christos Mannouris had been in a close battle with Bereczki over fifth place initially, but retired at midday service.

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