ERC – Alexey Lukyanuk takes charge in the Azores

Alexey Lukyanuk (Ford Fiesta R5) got the best start in Rally Azores, opening round of the European Rally Championship ERC 2018.

Despite passing through a field, the Russian driver took advantage of his scratch time in the 2 km long SS1 Vila Franca / São Brás 17 to take control of the race against Ricardo Moura (Skoda Fabia R5) . Lukyanuk thus took over from David Botka (Skoda Fabia R5), first leader after the short opening special.

Some @AlexeyLukyanuk classic in stage 2… he went off in a field after a jump, went back on the road, and still is quicker than anyone else so far

What a legend!#FIAERC #AzoresAirlinesRally #TeamOscaro #GotTalentProveIt pic.twitter.com/ia2RK2Ni5U

— FIA ERC (@FIAERC) March 22, 2018

The local driver, author of the best time in the qualifying special earlier in the afternoon, is 2″7 behind the leader at the end of the last brief 3,95 km special and is ahead of Martin Koci (Skoda Fabia R5) of 1″1. The top 5 is completed by the Portuguese Bruno Magalhaes (Skoda Fabia R5) and Bernardo Sousa (Citroën DS3 R5), classified 13″2 and 14″6 behind the leader.

Little success in the French clan, however, since mechanical problems stopped Pierre-Louis Loubet (Hyundai i20 R5) in SS2, when Laurent Pellier (Peugeot 208 T16 R5) had to retire after this same sector against the clock, following an electrical problem.

Tomorrow, the second stage will begin at 12:28 p.m. French time, with the ES Pico da Pedra Golfe 1.

Azores Rally ranking after Stage 1