The final day of Cyprus Rally was brighter and drier than Saturday, though wet and muddy patches remained throughout the stages, providing rapidly changing grip levels. Impreza runners Nasser Al Attiyah and Toshi Arai continued their charge towards the front in the day’s early stages, Al Attiyah making it stick while a less fortunate outcome was Arai’s reward.
Here in Cyprus two of the longest tests in the entire P-WRC are run back-to-back on this final leg in Cyprus; the 30.03-km Foini (SS12), followed by Anadiou (40.54kms.) Conditions are incredibly demanding; rocks, bumps and deep cuts over tight and twisty turns mean lower speeds - the abrasive surface requiring absolute concentration at all times. The day’s opening test also featured a famous water splash over 30 centimetres deep - which can be hazardous at speed.
Nasser Al Attiyah took a trio of top-three stage times today, maintaining a pursuit of the pair ahead with times that defied his rivals’ pace. He won the opening test, then had to settle for second quickest on SS13 due to worries about a blocked radiator (by sand and mud) - and a puncture. He netted third best time on the final stage of the rally, proving beyond doubt the Impreza’s consistency and pace over this very demanding terrain.
Toshi Arai started off promisingly, the former champion initially maintaining yesterday’s pace, only for a right front driveshaft failure to scupper his efforts before the end of the opening stage. “The car has shown a big improvement, but I have had such bad luck so many times. I’ll have to pray to the gods in Japan”.
STI Group N Project General Manager George Donaldson:
“Although finally we’ve not got the result we desired in Cyprus this weekend, we knew we’d struggle in the first leg, run on tarmac. The bottom line is that the Impreza has proven itself to be the fastest car on the gravel stages this weekend, but unfortunately, a couple of circumstances have denied us the victory. Toshi, having a number of small niggling preparation problems over the entire weekend culminating in a surprise fourth position overall - very good considering the troubles he’s had. Nasser managed a stunning third - unfortunately a puncture denying him a chance to push for second position at the end. It’s been tough going all weekend for sure.
A little further back, we have Charalambos Timotheou, the guest driver from Cyprus, who has made a fantastic effort to place sixth overall in P-WRC. Egoi Eder Valdez Lopez also made the finish. It was great to see he and the team get to the end of their first event; they’re coming to Portugal Rally with a much more determined approach - hopefully they’ll have a more successful event there. For Gianluca Linari it was a tough event, but as one of our more seasoned and favourite competitors, Gianluca’s presence is always deeply valued as one of the real gentlemen of the sport. To round out the weekend, it’s been a very positive performance from the car and our drivers, but we need to raise our game for the next event - and that’s certainly what we aim to do.”
