Congratulations on finishing 2nd in Poland. How do you rate the start of the season?
We got a lot of points for the championship. It was one of my favorite rallies. 2nd place was okay, we always want to win, but Alexey Lukyanuk was very strong, so let’s see what we can do in Latvia. It was good enough start of the season in ERC.
You were faster than Alexey on the 2nd day. What changed and how did you find the speed?
Yes, we were quicker on Day 2. We made some setup changes. It helped to build a confidence to push on the road. Still, we have a work to do to get it to my liking and it’s natural driving for me. It was step into right direction. Hopefully we will have good testing before Liepāja to improve it even more, to be more competitive.
Both of these rallies are on gravel. Rally Liepāja is very fast one. How do you feel in such conditions?
Poland is also very fast, but, yeah, Liepāja is probably even faster from the on-boards I have seen. I have never done this rally. Many, many years ago I went to Talsi, but I don’t remember too much. It will be a challenge, for sure, because I lack the experience here other drivers have, but our aim is still high and we want to fight on the top. We will do our best.
Do you think victory is possible?
Yeah, I think it is. If we have a good test, car feels nice and I feel comfortable, I think victory is in the reach.
You already mentioned that you have raced in Talsi. It was 11 years ago. Unfortunately, there was gearbox issue. Do you remember anything from that rally?
Just the fast roads. I enjoyed the rally till those gearbox issues. It will nice to come back.
How you have changed as a driver from that time?
Quite a lot. We have done a lot of driving in various championships. Of course, I am more experienced, more comfortable in these types of roads, so it will be nice.
Which areas in particular you have improved the most – saving car, going faster through corners or maybe communicating with co-driver?
In Liepāja, I don’t think we have to think too much about saving the car. We are focusing purely on speed and performance. That will be the key to success in this rally rather than surviving it.
This summer has been very hot in Latvia. You come from northern country. Do you think it’s harder in this heat?
No, no, no. I come from Nordic country, but it won’t be an issue. On the fast roads you can get good ventilation. That should not be an issue. We have done warmer events like Turkey.
How do you think what is biggest difference between WRC and ERC?
WRC cars are faster, but drivers in ERC are very good. They know these rallies very well and have an experience. I already said before the season, that it could be more difficult to win ERC compared to WRC2 and I still mean that, because I know WRC2 rallies very well, but ERC are new for me. We are missing experience against other competitors here. Okay, we had a lot of driving trainings, but it will be challenging.
FIA European Rally Championship event Rally Liepāja is possible thanks to the support provided by the Latvian Government, rally city of Liepāja, as well as Talsi region. We would like to thank our sponsors Neste, Ramirent, and SC Grupa/Eurovia, as well as supporters Blue Shock Race, Canon Business Center Liepāja, Fristads, Liepāja Olympic Center, Liepaja Special Economic Zone, and Sixt. Media support is provided by news media DELFI and media partners Kurzemes Radio, Sporta Avīze, and Talsu Vēstis. The rally would also not be possible without help by Rally Liepāja friends: Flora, FN Serviss, Jānis Pūce, Kokmuiža Celmlauzis, Lofbergs, MB Grupa, Red Bull, SignTech, and Törley. Rally Liepāja is organized with the support of Aizpute, Durbe, Grobiņa, and Priekule region councils. A special thanks goes to the Latvian Automobile Federation.
More news about Rally Liepāja available online at www.lvrally.com, as well as on social media Twitter @LVRally, Facebook /LVRally, draugiem.lv /lvrally, YouTube /RallyLiepāja, and Instagram /lvrally.
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Further info: Jānis Unbedahts, RA EVENTS, +371 26557801, janis@raevents.lv
