Page 111 - Automobile Magazine - 9.YIL Özel Kasım Sayısı Türkçe-İngilizce E-Dergi.

The first of two runs through the longest
Neuville, with Loeb 4.7 seconds further
stage of the rally, Çetibeli (38.15km), adrift. A flying Neuville was fastest on the
was first up and was arguably the most practice run through the Power Stage,
challenging of the entire event, despite but Evans headed to Asparan for a short
starting in cooler early morning tempera- service holding an outright lead of 42.2
tures. A low sun, no wind and hanging seconds after stalling at a hairpin in the
dust added to the difficulty for drivers stage. A mere 9.2 seconds separated
following behind road sweepers Tänak Neuville, Ogier and Loeb in second, third
and Loubet. Intercom issues hampered and fourth. Tidemand and Kajetanowicz
the 21st-placed Estonian early in the remained in control in WRC2 and WRC3.
stage but the current World Champion Ogier summed up his feeling before the
set the target time of 29min 10.5sec. But re-run of the formidable Çetibeli stage.
his issue was just the tip of the iceberg “Pure lottery,” said the Frenchman. “If you
as a series of dramatic developments have the luck with you, anything can hap-
soon unfolded that will go down in WRC pen.” Neuville’s strategy was to drive flat
folklore. Loubet stopped 24.6km into the out and rely on Evans having a problem. 111
special with technical issues and was The scene was set for a scintillating finale
forced to throw in the towel, Suninen to the rally. With Ogier out of the equa-
ground to a halt with damaged rear-left tion for the Power Stage, it opened the
suspension and both Rovanperä and door for Tänak, Neuville and Roverperä
Lappi stopped for a short time to change to challenge Evans for the extra points.
punctures. Neuville headed into the final The Estonian laid down the gauntlet with MAGAZINE.COM.TR
morning with a 33.2-second advantage a stunning run of 4min 20.82sec. Lap-
over a tying Loeb and Ogier. Hanging pi nursed his Fiesta to the finish with a
dust was causing problems for all the broken damper and Rovanperä ran short
crews and the drama continued unabat- with a 4min 22.11sec. That left the top
ed. Ogier was forced to stop and change three to fight for the Power Stage points.
a flat tyre 18.3km into the special, the Loeb didn’t want to take points off his
90-second delay dropping him 46.9 sec- team-mates and he recorded a time of AUTOMOBILE
onds behind team-mate Evans in the vir- 4min 26.10sec to secure his podium fin-
tual overall rankings and throwing the title ish. Neuville attacked and a time of 4min
race wide open. The Welshman had the 20.41sec gave him the Power Stage
added satisfaction of setting his first fast- win and five bonus points after Evans
est time of the weekend. Neuville erred confirmed his victory and set the fourth
on the side of caution to avoid a puncture fastest time to earn two additional points.
but the Belgian also stopped to change Rally Turkey ran with the valuable back-
a flat after 25.2km. He finished the stage ing of the Republic of Turkey Ministry of
in sixth and slipped to third overall, his Youth and Sports, Turkey Tourism Pro-
cause helped when team-mate Loeb motion and Development Agency and
crawled to the finish on a destroyed front Spor Toto. Crucial sponsorship for the
tyre and fell to fourth. Tidemand and event came from AVIS, Grand Yazıcı Club
Kajetanowicz survived the ordeal and Turban, Turk Yacht, Pilotcar, Ahu Has-
continued to lead their respective WRC2 tanesi, Mr. No Dardanel, Auto Club and
and WRC3 categories. Evans reached Marmaris Municipality. Communications
the first run through the Marmaris stage support came from Turk Telekom and the
with a 46.9-second advantage over event was broadcast live on TRTSPOR2.
Ogier and a 47.7-second cushion over
Kasım - November 2020