ERC: Future World Rally of Turkey review

31st Tofas Rally of Turkey (EUR Coef. 20) - May 10, 11 & 12th 2002

Kuzaj went off as he was second

Starting with a Focus WRC, Kulig-Baran (PL) have won the Rally of Turkey, round 3 of the Coef. 20 European Rally Championship. The 2001 Polish champion finished 31 seconds ahead of Warmbold Jr. (Corolla WRC) while Impreza WRX Gr.N driver Dinç (TR) rounded off the top three. At the wheel of their Future World Corolla WRC, Leszek Kuzaj (PL) and Erwin Mombaerts (B) went off in SS7.

It wasn't a good weekend for Kuzaj. Second in SS1, he lost 32" in a long SS2 (30 km) because of twin punctures. Classified third at the end of day 1, Kuzaj started to push hard in SS5 and SS6 where he signed "scratches". He was second when he went off in SS7, lying down his Belgian made Corolla WRC 10 meters below the main road. As Russian Graziane (Corolla WRC) and Lesnikov (Impeza WRC) also went off, Kulig took an easy win.

-" In Turkey, the drivers have to face with an abrasive tarmac, commented Gérard Magniette for Belgian team Future World. The generous style of driving of Leszek wasn't an advantage. We were working on when the rally suddenly ended for our team. No appeal was possible. "

Next rally for Kuzaj-Mombaerts with a Future World Corolla WRC is Bulgaria Rally Albena (May 24, 25 and 26th), round 4 of the Coef. 20 European Rally Championship.

Classification

1. Kulig-Baran (PL/PL) (Ford Focus WRC) in 3h09'13"; 2. Warmbold-Price (D/D) (Toyota Corolla WRC) at 0.31; 3. Dinç-Baydar (TR/TR) (Subaru Impreza WRX Gr.N) at 10.09; 4. Gulheran-Yazici (TR/TR) (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII Gr.N) at 11.05; 5. Isik-Gur (TR/TR) (Fiat Punto S1600) at 12.25 ...

European Championship (after round 3)

1. Travaglia (I) : 250 pts; 2 ex.: Kulig (PL) & Puras (E) : 200 pts; 4. Warmbold (D) : 160 pts; 5 . Andreucci (I) : 147 pts...

-fw-