Breaking: Unstoppable Jari Huttunen Clinches Sixth Straight Stage Win in ERC Junior Rally; Carlberg Tops Leaderboard After Challenging Day One in Hungary
In a dominant display, ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team ace Jari Huttunen stormed through all six stages today to claim the fastest time in the Hankook-equipped category, leading the ERC Junior Rally championship standings after a grueling opening day in Hungary. The 21-year-old Finn, last season’s Junior ERC runner-up, validated his impressive performance by securing six out of six stage wins without a single missed topped.
Chasing Huttunen closely, Estonian competitor Jaspar Vaher piloting the Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF, took the second spot on the podium, driving a different Rally4 car brand. Vaher, alongside Finn Tuukka Kauppinen, is introducing the Lancia name back to the ERC after 19 years.
Ioan Lloyd from Wales rounded off the podium with a consistent drive despite sustaining bumper damage and an overshoot during the super special on Friday. The Welshman maintained his composure to finish the day in third position.
However, the day was not without challenges. Victor Hansen lies fourth overnight, followed by Aoife Raftery, Matteo Doretto, and Kauppinen, who fought back after an off on SS6. Notable retirements include Romanian rookie Cristian Sugár and Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy teammates Keelan Grogan and Craig Rahill.
Huttunen’s exceptional performance also secured the lead in the ERC4 ranking, ahead of German drivers Tom Kässer and Norman Kreuter. Kässer retired after stage five with damage to his Peugeot, while Kreuter held strong, ranking 12th among ERC4 drivers after his return to the category.
As the rally resumes tomorrow, six stages of 82.26 timed kilometers await the competitors, with the first pass of the 15.34-kilometer Iszka test starting at 09:27 local time. Huttunen will face another tough day fighting to maintain his lead, but with the Ulster International Rally in Northern Ireland up next, the title race is far from over.
H2: Rally Hungary Leads to Thrilling Junior ERC Results: Carlberg on Top, Lancia Debuts, and Controversies Emerge
H3: Perfect Six for Carlberg
Lauri Carlberg is dominating the Junior ERC at Rally Hungary, claiming the fastest time on all six stages on Saturday. The ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team ace leads the pack, finishing the day with a comfortable advantage over second-placed Jasper Vaher and third-placed Ioan Lloyd. The Finnish driver admitted to being "super-happy" but cautious, knowing that the toughest day awaits on Sunday.
H3: Diverse Rally4 Cars in Tight Competition
Adding excitement to the competition, the leading trio is driving different types of Rally4 cars: Carlberg in an Opel Corsa Rally4, Vaher piloting a Lancia Ypsilon HF Rally4, and Lloyd steering a Peugeot 208 Rally4. This diversity showcases the close competition and the versatility of the Junior ERC category.
H3: Lancia’s Return to ERC
In an exciting development, the Lancia name returned to the ERC for the first time since 2003, with Estonian driver Vaher giving the Lancia Ypsilon HF its international debut. Driving alongside Finn Tuukka Kauppinen, Vaher expressed excitement about piloting a car with such a prestigious brand heritage, despite having limited test kilometres.
H3: Lloyd’s Resilience
British driver Ioan Lloyd has had an eventful Rally Hungary debut. Apart from sustaining bumper damage and overshooting on the super special stage, Lloyd has managed to keep his nose clean and secure a podium position. The Welshman is looking forward to a challenging final day, saying, "It’s such a tough rally and it’s another tough day tomorrow."
H3: Competitors Fight Back
Victor Hansen holds fourth overnight, followed by Aoife Raftery, Matteo Doretto, and the recovering Kauppinen. However, several competitors, including opening round winner Sergi Pérez, Leevi Lassila, and Maxim Decock, faced setbacks due to tyre damage during the rough opening leg.
Box: Did you know?
Kevin Lempu, an Estonian driver, faced a halfshaft failure on his Ford Fiesta Rally4, resulting in late arrival and penalties. Despite the setback, he holds 11th position overnight.
H3: ERC4 Championship Update
In addition to leading Junior ERC, Carlberg is also at the top of the ERC4 ranking, which includes all Junior ERC contenders and German drivers Tom Kässer and Norman Kreuter. Meanwhile, Kässer retired after stage five due to front-end damage, while Kreuter, despite finding the stages "very rough," managed to hold 12th position among ERC4-registered drivers.
H2: Looking Ahead: Junior ERC’s Future Trends
With the 2023 Junior ERC season heating up, several trends and themes are emerging:
- Diverse and Competitive Fleet: The use of different Rally4 cars among top contenders signals a competitive future, with manufacturers keen to showcase their models.
- Legacy Makes a Comeback: Lancia’s return to ERC hints at other historically significant brands potentially making a comeback, adding another layer of excitement to the championship.
- Resilience and Preparation: With terrains growing tougher and more unpredictable, drivers’ ability to persevere through adversity and prepare for varied conditions will be crucial.
H2: FAQs
Q: Who leads the Junior ERC after Day 1 at Rally Hungary?
A: Lauri Carlberg leads the Junior ERC after Day 1, claiming the fastest time on all six stages.
Q: Which prestigious brand made its ERC return at Rally Hungary?
A: Lancia returned to the ERC for the first time since 2003, with the Lancia Ypsilon HF Rally4 driven by Jasper Vaher.
Q: What challenges lie ahead for competitors on Sunday?
A: The remaining six stages cover 82.26 timed kilometres, including the 15.34-kilometre Iszka test, which opens the day’s itinerary at 09:27 local time.
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