Evans adds Argentina to WRC 2 title trail
Welshman gets third WRC 2 appearance
Evans targets WRC 2 hat-trick
Championship leader Elfyn Evans is favourite to extend his advantage in WRC 2 with a third successive victory at YPF Rally Argentina (21 - 24 April) this weekend.
The Welshman won the opening two rounds in Monte-Carlo and Sweden before missing the third encounter in Mexico last month. However, he returns to the fray with a 22 point lead in the WRC’s principal support category.
“From the last two years, we know this is a very difficult event,” said the Ford Fiesta R5 pilot. “Getting through unscathed is often a challenge in itself, but we know the Fiesta is a very strong car.
“Unlike the other two events, this one won’t necessarily be about outright pace, but our goal is still the same and we’ll be going there with the aim of securing the victory.”
Armin Kremer and Teemu Suninen, second and third respectively, are absent and so fourth-placed Hubert Ptaszek is Evans’ closest rival. The Pole finished second in Mexico but the Peugeot 208 T16 driver admits he would be happy just to finish in Argentina.
“For us the plan is to reach the finish line and pick another valuable experience. This is how the season is going to look like for us. If we will be able to fulfil our goals the whole season, I will become one of the few young drivers with such experience,” he said.
Peruvian Nicolas Fuchs knows a good result in his Skoda Fabia R5 will propel him up the standings, but he is under no illusions as to the difficulties he faces following a test on Monday (below).
“Our fears were validated when we experienced so much water and destroyed paths. There’s a thin line between being on or off the road,” said Fuchs.
Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari will hope to put a dismal season debut in Mexico behind him and he is joined by fellow Qatari Khalid Al Suwaidi. Paraguayan pair Augusto Bestard and Didier Arias make their first appearances in a Fiesta R5 and Fabia R5 respectively.
