WRC 3
Ambramowski steals WRC3 lead late, setting up Sunday thriller
Tymek Abramowski stole back the WRC3 lead on Saturday’s final stage from local hope Gil Membrado to set up a thrilling WRC3 Sunday at Rally Islas Canarias.
Piloting a Ford Fiesta Rally3, Abramowski had spent the majority of Friday and Saturday chasing down Membrado after conceding the rally lead on Friday morning’s opening stage.
Gil Membrado led until power issues on Saturday's final stage
© At World
The 19-year-old finally pounced on Saturday’s final stage, going 20.4sec quicker than 18-year-old Membrado who lost power in his Fiesta 5km into the 28.9km test. It allowed Abramowski to claim a narrow 2.6sec advantage heading into Sunday’s four remaining tests.
After the first stage of Saturday was cancelled for the WRC3 field following an incident further up the running order, Abramowski and Membrado then set about trading stage win honours, but the young Spaniard had been able to maintain his lead until the final stage setback.
Ghjuvanni Rossi completed Saturday third overall in WRC3
© At World
Whilst the tense battle played out for top honours, a measured drive from Ghjuvanni Rossi saw the Frenchman retain third overall, more than adrift on the leading pair but exactly 5min clear of German youngster Nicolas Otto. Otto’s podium hopes were dashed on Friday evening when the 22-year-old rolled on the day-ending BP Ultimate – Las Palmas de Gran Canaria super special, costing him more than a minute-and-a-half.
Spaniard Santiago Pérez rounded out the top five, ahead of fellow countryman Raúl Hernández and WRC3 debutant Dean Mascarenhas of India.
