WRC
Elfyn Evans and Thierry Neuville extracted valuable insights from last weekend’s ERC 42nd Rally Sierra Morena, using the event as preparation for WRC Rally Islas Canarias later this month.
Held across Saturday and Sunday on the fast and technical roads around Andalucía, the rally offered both drivers a prime opportunity to fine-tune their set-ups and familiarise themselves with Hankook’s asphalt tyre range ahead of the FIA World Rally Championship’s fourth round, which takes place from 24 – 27 April.
While Rallye Monte-Carlo technically served as this season’s opening asphalt round, its icy, wintery conditions in the French Alps are a world apart from what awaits in Las Palmas. Rally Islas Canarias represents a more traditional Tarmac event, featuring tighter, grippier roads in hot weather conditions.
Speaking during the ERC event, championship leader Evans said: “We’re here, obviously, to test for Rally Islas Canarias – and having some stages that are so fast is obviously not ideal. But there will be sections of these stages that we can use to good use.
“Not all the sections here are relevant because they’re either too fast, too bumpy or have too much cutting. That’s the big thing, I think – Canarias will be a much cleaner rally. Still, it gives us a chance to drive the [Hankook] tyres and to understand some things with the car balance, so we’ll use it as best we can.”
Defending champion Neuville echoed a similar sentiment:
“I don’t think the stages are very similar," he said. "But, anyhow, it’s good to get a bit more understanding of the tyres and the car, to try some things just to see I what direction to go.”
The rally was won by WRC2 frontrunner Nikolay Gryazin, who topped the overall timesheets in a J2RX Rally Team Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. Gryazin is also set to contest Rally Islas Canarias with Toksport as part of his push for WRC2 honours this season.
