Lappi heads Skoda WRC 2 challenge
Czech manufacturer enters new Fabia R 5 in WRC support category
Big chance for Ketomaa to pull clear
Points leader Jari Ketomaa has a golden opportunity to stretch his advantage in WRC 2 at Rally Argentina (23 - 26 April).
The Finn, who won in Sweden and finished third in Mexico, takes a 15-point advantage into the fourth round. Just two more of the top 10 drivers in the standings – Nicolas Fuchs and Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari – have included Argentina in their programme.
Ketomaa, who pilots a Drive DMACK-backed Ford Fiesta R5, acknowledged that a shrewd understanding of one of the season’s toughest encounters would prove vital.
“Our aim here is to push for the win but, once again, we need to be clever and attack on the parts which suit the R5 car more. The risk of punctures is high because some of the stages are rocky but we know the DMACK tyre works well here so we have a good level of confidence,” he said.
Peruvian Fuchs is fourth in the points after finishing second in Mexico and he admitted that Rally Argentina felt like a home round.
“The energy from the fans makes it a very special rally and there’s everything in the stages, from high-speed jumps to water crossings and mountain roads, so it’s a very big challenge,” said the Fiesta R5 driver.
Al-Kuwari and Ukraine’s Yurii Protasov will drive Regional Rally Car versions of the Fiesta which may give them an advantage on the punishing gravel stages.
Simone Tempestini and Gianluca Linari both drive Subaru Imprezas in the Production Cup category within WRC 2, and both can overhaul the absent Max Rendina at the top of the standings.
Stéphane Lefebvre, third in WRC 2 and winner in Monte-Carlo, also starts in a DS 3 R5 but this is not one of his nominated rallies for points.
