10 Nov 12

Saturday WRC
Academy wrap:
Co-driver in
tribute to
Roberts

Jose Suarez's co-driver Candido Carrera celebrated their maiden victory in the FIA WRC Academy by paying tribute to Gareth Roberts, last year's champion navigator who lost his life in a crash competing on a rally in Sicily back in June.

Roberts partnered Craig Breen to the inaugural WRC Academy crown in 2011 and was a popular competitor. Carrera’s success on RallyRACC-Rally de Espana today means he finishes on top of the final co-drivers’ standings this season with Suarez securing the runner-up spot to Elfyn Evans in the drivers’ table.

“I am very happy,” said Carrera. “My driver was fantastic and this [result] is very important for me because it’s in memory of my friend Gareth Roberts.”

Suarez moved in front on Friday’s fifth stage when a puncture slowed Pontus Tidemand. Starting day two with an advantage of 1m09.6s, Suarez drove without error to maintain his overnight lead of 1m09.6s, which he extended by almost 10s over Tidemand at the finish in Salou this evening.

Evans completed his title-winning season with his fifth podium finish in third alongside new co-driver Seb Marshall. John MacCrone returned under Rally 2 rules on day two and claimed a brace of stage wins on his way to fourth overall. Timo van der Marel finished fifth with Brendan Reeves sixth and newcomer Aron Domzala seventh. Fredrik Ahlin was in fourth when he crashed heavily on stage 10.