Cookie Consent by Free Privacy Policy website Suarez continues his WRC2 apprenticeship, while Carella secures top 208 rally cup honours
maggio 24, 2016 - Peugeot

Suarez continues his WRC2 apprenticeship, while Carella secures top 208 rally cup honours

Comunicato Stampa disponibile solo in lingua originale. 

The 2016 #rally de #portugal provided the #peugeot #rally Academy’s #joseantoniosuarez with his first competitive drive in the Evo version of the 208T16, but it was an emotional rollercoaster of a weekend for the Spaniard! In France, Pepe Lopez collected further #208rallycup points, although #andreacarella was the man to beat in Antibes. The Italian confirmed the potential he showed last season to earn a deserved victory.

  • A competitive display from #joseantoniosuarez first time out in the Evo version of the 208T16.

  • The debut of the Evo version of 208T16 marks a step forward in terms of performance and reliability.

  • In the 2016 #208rallycup, Italy’s #andreacarella scored his maiden win in the series after beating Spaniard Pepe Lopez and Nil Solans.

  • Second place saw Pepe Lopez strengthen his lead in the provisional #208rallycup standings.

  • The 2016 #208rallycup juniors continued to impress as Jérémie Toedtli, William Wagner and Quentin Ribaud all finished inside the top 10.

    PEUGEOT #rally ACADEMY: CONTRASTING FORTUNES FOR JOSE ANTONIO SUAREZ

    Jose Antonio Suarez and Candido Carrera started the 2016 #rally de #portugal intent on making progress in the brand new Evo version of the 208T16. However, the early part of the #rally turned out to be more challenging than expected. The #peugeotrallyacademy pair began well by posting an encouraging eighth-fastest time on the opening stage, but their chances of a top result were dashed by a roll on the following test. Slick work by the #peugeot #rally Academy’s mechanics soon restored their 208T16 back to perfect shape and the 2015 #208rallycup winners were able to focus on fighting their way back up the order. They effectively gained 10 places in the overall standings before a double puncture at the end of the third day cost them more valuable time. They used the final leg to show their speed and that of their 208T16 by posting three more top-six stage times. The Spaniard concluded his first gravel outing in a four-wheel drive car in 12th position and in a positive frame of mind ahead of the his next #wrc programme sortie in Sardinia, Italy: “It was a useful weekend for the whole team. We showed that the 208T16 Evo is both reliable and competitive and that it marks a definite step forward compared with the former version. Unfortunately, my early mistake cost us a big chunk of time. I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to the #peugeot #rally Academy’s mechanics who repaired my car perfectly to get me back running again, enabling us to continue our apprenticeship of the #wrc. I will continue to work hard and I can’t wait for our next #rally in Italy.”

    208 #rally CUP: ITALY VS SPAIN!

    Pepe Lopez (Sainteloc Racing) followed up his recent Rallye Terre des Causses success by claiming the first two stages of the Rallye Antibes Côte d’Azur, but Stéphane Consani (Automeca) crashed out of contention on SS2. #andreacarella (Power Car Team) took a cautious approach to the Gréolières stage before upping his pace on the following test (Saint- Antonin) to appear in front as Pepe Lopez admitted he was having difficulty. Jean-Baptiste Franceschi, Jérémy Fournier (H2L) and Anthony Fotia (Pit Stop) were all side-lined by offs, meanwhile. The afternoon saw Pepe Lopez and Nil Solans (Mavisa Sport) push hard to win SS4 and SS5, but #andreacarella topped the timesheet on the second visit to Saint-Antonin, the stage that saw him take control the same morning. At the end of Day 1, Carella, Solans and Lopez were covered by less than 30 seconds.

    Delighted to be back on asphalt and competing in the mountains that tower over the French Riviera again, Emmanuel Gascou (AFC Racing) was fourth, pursued by a pack of juniors who had every intention of continuing their strong runs on the second leg! The provisional top eight was rounded out by the confident Jérémie Toedtli (CHL Sport Auto), William Wagner (PH Sport), Guillaume de Mevius (PH Sport) and the surprising Quentin Ribaud (CHL Sport Auto) who was pleased to be getting close to the times of the 2016 208 #rally Cup’s front-runners.

    ANDREA CARELLA UNFAZED!

    The next day saw Carella drop a little time during the opening competitive loop due to a poor tyre choice and Nil Solans and Pepe Lopez duly maintained their pressure on the Italian. The afternoon’s weather was much hotter, causing the asphalt to become very slippery in places. It was consequently difficult for the chasers to make any real inroads on Carella’s lead and the latter was able to cruise home to his first victory on French soil. Lopez successfully defended second place from compatriot Nil Solans to ensure an appreciable points haul which was further swelled by the three bonus points for the driver who posted the highest number of stage victories wins. As a result, the Spaniard has extended his lead in the provisional #208rallycup standings.

    Jérémie Toedtli recovered from a poor tyre choice in the morning to collect fourth, ahead of William Wagner. Both drivers finished in the points for the second time in a row, as did Emmanuel Gascou who felt less comfortable on the second day’s stages after completing Leg 1 just shy of the podium. The hardened campaigner was nevertheless satisfied with sixth place at the final whistle.

    Quentin Ribaud overcame weekend-long brake problems to continue his excellent start to the season by finishing seventh. Bruno Riberi (CHL Sport Auto) was slowed by a puncture on the opening day but subsequently recovered six places to round out the top eight, ahead of Efren Llarena (Raceseven) and Patrick Magnou (Pit Stop).

    The next round of the #208rallycup will take participants to eastern France for the all-gravel Rallye Terre de Langres on June 24-26. 

    More information on press release

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