Junior WRC
Türkkan profits from Portugal drama to seal Junior WRC win
Ali Türkkan claimed a remarkable FIA Junior WRC victory at Vodafone Rally de Portugal after a chaotic final day turned the leaderboard upside down.
The Turkish driver had looked out of the victory fight after losing time with electrical issues and a spin on Saturday, but survived brutal rain, mud and repeated drama on Sunday to take his second win in a row by 3min 31.6sec from Leevi Lassila.
Türkkan started the final day third overall, 2min 26.5sec behind leader Calle Carlberg, but Portugal’s treacherous final stages changed everything.
Gil Membrado immediately put pressure on Carlberg by winning Vieira do Minho 1, cutting the Swede’s lead from 39.6sec to 17.2sec. Carlberg responded on Fafe 1 to edge his advantage back out to 19.7sec, but the decisive drama came on the repeat of Vieira do Minho.
Carlberg rolled out of the rally, with both crew members reported OK, while Membrado also hit trouble after a heavy impact left his car with damage to both the bodywork and cooling system. The Spaniard eventually continued but dropped more than 17 minutes and fell out of the lead fight.
That promoted Türkkan into an unlikely lead, while Kerem Kazaz briefly moved up to second overall after winning SS22. But there was further heartbreak before the final Fafe stage when Kazaz retired after running out of fuel.
Türkkan kept clear of trouble on the Wolf Power Stage to seal victory, with Lassila climbing to second and Membrado salvaging third despite the damage from SS22.
“Amazing weekend,” Türkkan said. “I have been saying from the beginning that it would be the most difficult rally of the season - for everyone, Rally1, Rally2 and us.
“It was so difficult, but we managed the whole package very well. We lost some time yesterday with a spin and electrical issues, but we never gave up. In rallying, anything can happen. We kept our position and stayed on the road, and the two guys in front made mistakes. I am sorry for them. It’s back-to-back wins, we are so happy.”
© WRC
Lassila’s second place marked his first Junior WRC podium after a rally spent largely focusing on survival. The Finn had described Sunday’s conditions as even more challenging than Saturday’s because of the rapidly changing weather, but kept going as others hit trouble.
Membrado completed the podium, 14min 53.9sec behind Türkkan, after a dramatic end to a rally in which he had looked capable of fighting for victory.
Raúl Hernández finished fourth after a steadier final day, also taking the fastest Junior WRC time on the final Fafe stage. Craig Rahill completed the classified finishers in fifth after another difficult day in extremely low-grip conditions.
Carlberg’s retirement means he leaves Portugal still leading the Junior WRC standings, but only by two points. The Swede has 76 points, with Türkkan now up to 74 after his second consecutive win. Membrado sits third on 44, ahead of Lassila on 41, Hernández on 36, Rahill on 28 and Kazaz on 19.
The FIA Junior WRC battle will resume on the fast gravel roads of Secto Rally Finland, the next round of the championship, from 30 July – 2 August.
Fontana takes WRC3 honours
Matteo Fontana celebrated victory in WRC3, moving into the lead following Membrado's struggles on Sunday morning. Türkkan placed second in the category, more than one minute adrift of the Italian, while Andre Martinez filled the final podium spot.
