Yoann Bonato is a two-time winner in the FIA European Rally Championship after a sublime drive to victory at Rally Islas Canarias on Saturday.
With fellow Frenchman Benjamin Boulloud co-driving, Bonato started leg two 11.0sec in front of European championship leader Hayden Paddon. He eventually triumphed by 36.9sec following a day dominated by the changeable weather conditions – and some seriously close competition throughout the field.
Yoann Bonato underlined his status as an asphalt ace during an action-packed opening leg of Rally Islas Canarias, the second FIA European Rally Championship round of the season.
The flying Frenchman, armed with a Michelin-equipped Citroën C3 Rally2, was sensational throughout Friday’s six sealed-surface stages that totalled 88.72 kilometres and proved a tough task for the ERC regulars and their Spanish championship counterparts.
The stage is set for the first asphalt round of the 2023 FIA European Rally Championship, Rally Islas Canarias. Taking place from 4 – 6 May, the event has challenged ERC drivers and their teams on 30 previous occasions and this year’s edition, the 47th, will be no exception.
Hayden Paddon became the first Hyundai driver to win an FIA European Rally Championship round after grabbing a remarkable Rally Serras de Fafe, Felgueiras, Boticas, Vieira do Minho e Cabeceiras de Basto victory from under the nose of Mikko Heikkilä on Sunday. (more…)
The FIA European Rally Championship is go for 2023 with an incredible 40 drivers competing in headlining Rally2 machinery on the season-opening Rally Serras de Fafe, Felgueiras, Boticas, Vieira do Minho e Cabeceiras de Basto from 10 – 12 March.
And to further underline the popularity of the ERC – the recognised feeder series to the FIA World Rally Championship – 48 crews have registered to score ERC points on round one of the 70th-anniversary season in northern Portugal, 14 national or regional champions are taking part, while 23 nationalities are represented.
ERC Championship Manager Iain Campbell said: “It’s fantastic to be heading into the ERC’s 70th-anniversary season knowing there is so much interest in the championship based on the size of the entry. But as well as being big on quantity, the entry is also big on quality with an incredible number of top-level drivers plus drivers new to the championship aiming to gain international experience but in a highly competitive environment taking part. It’s also great news that so many nationalities are represented.”
Established in 1953, the ERC remains Europe’s premier rally series and the recognised springboard for drivers stepping up from national level with the aim of one day forging a career in the FIA World Rally Championship. With events taking place over two days, the action is constant and the battles for position intense, making the ERC an ideal way to gain knowledge and build experience of international-level competition.
Promoted by WRC Promoter for a second season through a long-term agreement with motorsport’s world governing body, the FIA, every stage on every rally is broadcast live on WRC+ and the new-for-2023 Rally.TV platform.
Drivers in Rally2 cars can partner with one of four leading tyre manufacturers: Hankook, Michelin, MRF Tyres or Pirelli.
There are categories for Rally3 cars (ERC3) and Rally4 and Rally5 cars (ERC4), while young, up-and-coming talents are given their chance to shine in the FIA Junior ERC Championship, supported by Hankook, which begins on ORLEN 79th Rally Poland in May.
Rally Serras de Fafe, Felgueiras, Boticas, Vieira do Minho e Cabeceiras de Basto provides a tough start to the 2023 ERC season, with 16 challenging gravel-based stages, plus a super special stage though the Tarmac and cobblestone streets of host town Fafe. The event route covers 180.29 kilometres and concludes with the Lameirinha Power Stage, complete with the iconic Pedra Sentada jump, from 16:00 local time on Sunday.
The addition of the premium brand reinforces the strength of the ERC as a championship, with Hankook set to compete alongside Michelin, MRF Tyres and Pirelli – offering drivers a wide range of options for the 2023 season, which roars into action this week at Rally Serras de Fafe, Felgueiras, Boticas, Vieira do Minho e Cabeceiras de Basto in Portugal (10 – 12 March). (more…)
INDIANAPOLIS – Team De Rooy has won the truck division of the 2023 Dakar Rally with an Allison-equipped truck. Almost 25 trucks that competed in the 2023 Dakar Rally and all Top 10 trucks were equipped with Allison Automatics, the majority of which were Allison 4000 Series™ transmissions.
Nasser Al-Attiyah wrapped up a fifth car crown and Kevin Benavides finally got the better of Toby Price for his second Dakar Rally bike title as the Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team made history with their maiden win thanks to AJ Jones and Gustavo Gugelmin in T3. (more…)
STAMFORD, Conn. – Dec. 28, 2022 – Nightly coverage of the 14-stage 2023 Dakar Rally — the world’s most challenging off-road endurance race — begins this Sunday, January 1, at 6:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and continues through Sunday, January 15. Highlights of every show (all 14 stages and the rest day), exclusive racer interviews, and features from the 2023 Dakar Rally will be available on Peacock and NBC Sports digital platforms. (more…)
The 2023 Dakar Rally heads back to Saudi Arabia for its fourth edition on December 31 with the world’s best off-road racers facing 5,000 racing kilometres spread over 14 timed special stages before the chequered flag finally falls at Dammam on January 15. Here is all you need to know: (more…)
