09/06/2008 //
RALLY - EUROPEAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP - ROUND 4: RALLY POLAND - SURPRISE WIN FOR MICHAL BEBENEK (MITSUBISHI/BFGOODRICH)
European Rally Championship
ROund 4: Rally Poland
June 6-8, 2008
SURPRISE WIN FOR MICHAL BEBENEK (MITSUBISHI/BFGOODRICH)
BFGoodrich g-Force Gravel tyres monopolised the podium at the end of the 65th edition of the BFGoodrich-backed Rally Poland thanks to Michal Bebenek (Mitsubishi), Bryan Bouffier (Peugeot 207 S2000) and Michal Solowow (Peugeot 207 S2000).
The all-gravel Rally Poland is the world's second longest-standing rally and is beaten only by the Monte Carlo Rally in the longevity league table. The 65th edition was also the fourth round of the 2008 European Championship and was based in the northeast of the country.
The conditions were pleasantly sunny, with temperatures exceeding the 25°C mark, while the fast stages were covered in a thick top-coating of loose dirt. Even so, the BFGoodrich g-Force Gravel provided enough grip to monopolise the top-three places at the flag.
Many of the potential winners fell by the wayside, including Corrado Fontana (Peugeot/BFGoodrich), who recently won in Croatia, and local hero Krzysztof Holowczyc (Peugeot 207 S2000, fire).
The different early incidents enabled the Bebenek brothers to take the lead with their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX after SS3 and, profiting from their late running order – 19th on the road – they made the most of the clearer lines to pull gradually clear of their chasers.
Defending Polish Champion Bryan Bouffier was unable to match the Lancer's speed at the wheel of the Peugeot Polska Peugeot 207 S2000/BFGoodrich. The Frenchman nonetheless finished second overall ahead of Michal Solowow (Peugeot 207 S2000/BFGoodrich) who has moved into second place in the provisional European Championship standings. The fifth round of this year's Euro series will take competitors to Ypres, Belgium, at the end of June.
Final positions:
1. Bebenek/Bebenek (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX/BFGoodrich), 2h 35m 31.6s
2. Bouffier/Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000/BFGoodrich), +43.3s
3. Solowow/Baran (Peugeot 207 S2000/BFGoodrich), +1m 44.5s
4. Staniszewski/Boba (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX), +1m 57.7s
5. Kajetanowicz/Wislawski (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX), +2m 12.6s
ROund 4: Rally Poland
June 6-8, 2008
SURPRISE WIN FOR MICHAL BEBENEK (MITSUBISHI/BFGOODRICH)
BFGoodrich g-Force Gravel tyres monopolised the podium at the end of the 65th edition of the BFGoodrich-backed Rally Poland thanks to Michal Bebenek (Mitsubishi), Bryan Bouffier (Peugeot 207 S2000) and Michal Solowow (Peugeot 207 S2000).
The all-gravel Rally Poland is the world's second longest-standing rally and is beaten only by the Monte Carlo Rally in the longevity league table. The 65th edition was also the fourth round of the 2008 European Championship and was based in the northeast of the country.
The conditions were pleasantly sunny, with temperatures exceeding the 25°C mark, while the fast stages were covered in a thick top-coating of loose dirt. Even so, the BFGoodrich g-Force Gravel provided enough grip to monopolise the top-three places at the flag.
Many of the potential winners fell by the wayside, including Corrado Fontana (Peugeot/BFGoodrich), who recently won in Croatia, and local hero Krzysztof Holowczyc (Peugeot 207 S2000, fire).
The different early incidents enabled the Bebenek brothers to take the lead with their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX after SS3 and, profiting from their late running order – 19th on the road – they made the most of the clearer lines to pull gradually clear of their chasers.
Defending Polish Champion Bryan Bouffier was unable to match the Lancer's speed at the wheel of the Peugeot Polska Peugeot 207 S2000/BFGoodrich. The Frenchman nonetheless finished second overall ahead of Michal Solowow (Peugeot 207 S2000/BFGoodrich) who has moved into second place in the provisional European Championship standings. The fifth round of this year's Euro series will take competitors to Ypres, Belgium, at the end of June.
Final positions:
1. Bebenek/Bebenek (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX/BFGoodrich), 2h 35m 31.6s
2. Bouffier/Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000/BFGoodrich), +43.3s
3. Solowow/Baran (Peugeot 207 S2000/BFGoodrich), +1m 44.5s
4. Staniszewski/Boba (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX), +1m 57.7s
5. Kajetanowicz/Wislawski (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX), +2m 12.6s