IRC – Yuriy Protasov leads Yalta

The Prima Yalta Rally does not benefit from the usual contenders for victory, which allows runners-up to take center stage fighting for first place. After the two short specials played yesterday, Mikko Pajunen (Fiesta S2000) entered the second stage just ahead of Yuriy Protasov (Fiesta S2000). The Ukrainian took the advantage over the Finn on the first stage of the day and the two drivers exchanged first place until the Nordic driver retired after damaging the front of his car.

Yuriy Protasov ended the day in the lead with almost 40 seconds ahead of Yagiz Avci's Fiesta S2000 despite a puncture suffered in the penultimate special. Marco Tempestini was third in his Subaru Impreza Sti R4 before dropping to seventh, which benefited Laszlo Vizin (Skoda Fabia S2000). Robert Consani occupies fourth position at the wheel of his Renault Mégane RS and will approach the last stage 1'20 behind on the provisional podium. Vlad Cosma completes the top five with his Citroën C2 R2 Max.