Motorsport: Ott Tanak back to winning ways in Chile

It's the Estonian’s first WR win since Rally Sweden last February and the 19th of his career.

Sun, 01 Oct, 2023 - 16:07

Martin Walsh

M-Sport Ford driver Ott Tanak (Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid) ended a barren spell with victory in Rally Chile Bio Bío, the eleventh round of the World Rally Championship, the Estonian’s first WR win since Rally Sweden last February and the 19th of his career.

After 16 very challenging stages he finished 42.1s ahead of the Hyundai i20 Rally1 Hybrid of Thierry Neuville, who moved into second on Sunday’s penultimate stage following the demise of his team mate Teemu Suninen, who slid off the road. Elfyn Evans (Toyota Yaris Rally1 Hybrid) was another 24.8s behind in third. Series leader Kalle Rovanpera (Toyota Yaris Rally1 Hybrid) won the Power stage as the Toyota Gazoo Racing outfit clinched the Manufacturer’s title.

Reclaiming the lead on Friday’s fifth stage and although he began Saturday’s leg with a 4.2s advantage, Tanak dominated the day’s six stages where tyre selection and management was all-important. On the morning stages his rivals, on a soft compound tyre, haemorrhaged time with second place Teemu Suninen 47.8s behind. By the end of the day, the margin was 58.3s. with Neuville, who was slowed with a puncture on the morning opener, 13.9s further behind in third. Indeed, Neuville had a moment of drama starting SS12 when his car wouldn’t fire up for a few seconds. With Tanak managing his advantage through the final leg, Neuville hunted down his team mate Suninen with the margin just 6.7s entering the penultimate stage. It seemed Suninen’s car clipped a tree stump and careered off the road. His retirement had consequences as it gave Gazoo Racing a chance of taking the Manufacturers’ championship, which they sealed with two rounds to spare.

Both Esapekka Lappi (Toyota Yaris) and Pierre-Louis Loubet (Ford Puma) rolled during Friday’s leg. Rovanpera, who was celebrating his 23rd birthday has moved 31points ahead of team mate Elfyn Evans, with a maximum 60 points available from the final two rounds.

Japan’s Takamoto Katsuta and his Irish co-driver Aaron Johnston Takuma (Toyota Yaris Rally1 Hybrid) finished sixth. At the finish, rally winner Tanak said, “We’ve finally had a positive outcome. Thanks to the mechanics and everybody in the container, who came here. We are a small bunch of people but they did a great job. It’s a great place (Chile) so much support here and even some Estonians too which is surprising really.” Meanwhile, Kildare karter Jack Buckley clinched back to back titles in the Motorsport Ireland IAME X-30 Junior Kart series that concluded at the WhiteRiver Park Karting circuit in Collon, Co. Louth. After securing P1 and top points from the Pre-final Buckley dominated the eleven lap final where he was never headed. His brother Tadgh finished 0.971s behind while his championship rival Antrim’s Luke Agnew, who began in P2, took third in the race and second in the series. Ballylickey’s Colin Cronin couldn’t seem to replicate his recent form and finished the event in fourth place. Ballymakeery’s Keith Grant secured the Rookie category.

Elsewhere, local crews dominated the Monaghan Navigation Trial that was based in Kingscourt in Cavan was won by Derek Mackarel/Conor Boylan (Subaru Impreza), who incurred twelve penalties over the 70-mile route. Michael and Ciaran Tynan (Subaru Impreza) were four penalties further behind and one penalty ahead of Martin Tynan/David McCrudden, also in a Subaru Impreza. All three dropped time at the plot and bash section near Kingscourt.

Rally Chile Bio Bío (Round 11, World Rally Championship) Conceptión: 1. O. Tanak/M. Järveoja (Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid) 3:06:38.1; 2. T. Neuville/M. Wydaeghe (Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid)+42.1s; 3. E. Evans/S. Martin (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid)+ 1:06.9; 4. K. Rovanperä/J. Halttunen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid)+2:11.05. T. Katsuta/A. Johnston (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid)+4:41.5; 6. O. Solberg/E. Edmondson (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+8:18.5.

Drivers’ standings: 1. K. Rovanpera 217pts; 2. E. Evans 186pts; 3. T. Neuville 155pts; 4. O. Tanak 146pts; 5, S. Ogier 99pts; 6. E. Lappi 98pts.

Manufacturers standings: 1. Toyota Gazoo racing WRT 466pts; 2. Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT 360pts; 3. M-Sport Ford WRT 247pts.

MI Kart Championships, Whiteriver, Co. Louth: IAME X-30 Juniors: 1, J. Buckley 9m. 27.746s; 2. T. Buckley+0.971s; 3. L. Agnew+1.681s; 4. C. Cronin+5.477s; 5. J. Wood+5.695s; 6. J. McMahon+6.745s.

Monaghan Navigation Trial, Kingscourt, Co. Cavan: 1. D. Mackarel/C. Boylan (Subaru Impreza) 12penalties; 2. M. Tynan/C. Tynan (Subaru Impreza) 16pens; 3. M. Tynan/D. McCrudden (Subaru Impreza) 17pens; Semi-Experts: D. Kelly/E. Doherty (Subaru Impreza) 67pens; Novices: M. Kierans/J. J. McKenna (Toyota starlet) 63pens; Beginners: F. McGorman/A. McGorman (Subaru Legacy 54pens.)

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