Total 75 crews from 21 countries are in the entry lists of auto24 Rally Estonia including 14 R5 cars. The competition will be strong as the TOP 3 drivers from last year’s auto24 Rally Estonia are in the entry list. TOP 3 of 2016 FIA ERC and ERC Junior standings are represented as well.
Here are the quotes from the drivers:
Ralfs Sirmacis, Skoda Fabia R5: „We are looking forward auto24 Rally Estonia. I have been starting here since 2011 and it’s always great to drive those stages again and again. Lukyanuk has always been quick here and Kajetanowicz just completed super-fast Rally Poland so the fight for the podium will be exciting. Also the local boys with Group N cars are ones to watch. We haven’t been driving with our car in fast rallies but we will do a proper test before the event. I’m sure we will find right setup and we will fight for the highest place in the podium.“
Raul Jeets, Skoda Fabia R5: „This is the rally we have been waiting all season. We have always had a goal for home rally to beat the result from last year which was in 2015 sixth. And it is always great feeling to achieve our best result of FIA ERC series at home. Our Skoda Fabia R5 is a good choice for those fast stages and our team SRT will do everything that we and Ralfs can fight for the best results.“
Egon Kaur, Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9: „I have started this season with new co-driver, Silver Simm. The cooperation is good as we have won two rallies in Estonian championship. Before auto24 Rally Estonia we have been working with pacenotes and finding the best setup for the car. It will be tough to fight with new generation R5 cars as they are faster. Our goal is to win ERC2 category and fight with R5 cars for the overall podium.“
Siim Plangi, Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X: „After last year which was very successful for us (two-time Estonian and one-time Latvian champions) we decided to take a small break. But when the sponsors come up withe the idea to start in auto24 Rally Estonia it was decided. I have been away from the rally car eight months and I can say it will not happen again. We will do like others some testing before the rally and we are ready.“
Gustav Kruuda, Ford Fiesta R2T: „It is the first time we use 1.0 liter turbocharged R2 car. It is for sure faster and more reliable. We have time to test the car and get familiar with it. We have been working with my brother Karl between the seasons and the pace and results show that we are moving in the right direction.“
Draft entry lists:
ERC: http://rallyestonia.com/competitors/erc/entry-list/
Histroic: http://rallyestonia.com/competitors/historic/entry-list/
Open: http://rallyestonia.com/competitors/open/entry-list/
In addition to being a part of ERC in 2016, auto24 Rally Estonia is also a round of FIA European Historic Sporting Rally Championship. auto24 Rally Estonia is held on 15-17th of July in Tartu, Elva and on the roads of South-Estonia.
