Junior WRC
Carlberg weathers Portugal storm to hold Junior WRC lead
Calle Carlberg will take a 39.6sec lead over Gil Membrado into the final day of the FIA Junior WRC’s Vodafone Rally de Portugal round after a dramatic Saturday on slippery and rain-hit gravel roads.
The championship leader started the day 7.3sec clear of Ali Türkkan but was forced to fight hard through the morning as the Turkish driver mounted an immediate response. Türkkan won the opening three stages of the day to move into the lead by 1.7sec after Amarante 1, making full use of his experience on the Portuguese gravel.
Carlberg had admitted at the end of the first loop that Türkkan’s experience was paying off, but the Swede kept his approach measured as conditions became rougher and more unpredictable.
That patience proved important. Carlberg hit back on Paredes 1 to reclaim the lead by 3.8sec before the rally swung firmly in his favour after midday service. He won Felgueiras 2 and Cabeceiras de Basto 2, while Türkkan lost significant time with an electrical issue on SS16, stopping in the stage to restart his car.
By then, Carlberg’s advantage had grown to more than a minute over Membrado, who moved up to second as Türkkan slipped down the order.
Membrado then produced the strongest finish to the day. The Spaniard won each of the final three stages - Amarante 2, Paredes 2 and the rain-soaked Lousada super special - to reduce Carlberg’s lead to 39.6sec by Saturday evening.
Türkkan ended the day third, 2min 26.5sec from the lead, after a Saturday that had promised much before his afternoon problems. He had enjoyed being able to push more than on Friday, but his challenge faded once the electrical issue struck.
Kerem Kazaz moved up to fourth overall, 3min 50.2sec from the lead, after a mixed day. The Turkish driver showed improved pace on Felgueiras 1, where he was second-fastest, but later spun on Amarante 1 and struggled to find the right set-up direction.
Leevi Lassila completed the top five. The Finn enjoyed the opening stage of the day but then struggled for confidence as grip levels changed from stage to stage, leaving him unsure whether he was over-driving or under-driving in the conditions.
Raúl Hernández ended Saturday sixth after a difficult day which included a puncture on SS12 and a roll on SS15. He managed to continue to the end of the leg but dropped significant time, while Craig Rahill completed the order after earlier delays, including an off on Amarante 1 when he slid into the bushes after a transition from gravel to Tarmac.
Sunday brings two passes of Vieira do Minho and Fafe, with the second run over Fafe forming the Wolf Power Stage.
