Sun June 5, 2016

 Azores Rallye dramas on day three Ricardo Moura has taken a special victory on home soil at the end of a dramatic Azores Airlines Rallye, round four of the FIA European Rally Championship. Hailing from the rally base Ponta Delgada on São Miguel island in the mid-Atlantic archipelago, Moura took the lead on the...

Sat June 4, 2016

 Azores post event press conference Azores Airlines Rallye post-event press conference: Present: Ricardo Moura/Antonio Costa, first overall; Alexey Luxyanuk/Alexey Arnautov, second overall; Kajetan Kajetanowicz/Jarek Baran, LOTOS Rally Team, third overall ...

 Home joy nas Moura wins ERC Azores Ricardo Moura has claimed a hugely popular home win by triumphing on the Azores Airlines Rallye for the first time. Despite landing the mid-Atlantic archipelago's domestic championship on several occasions, victory on the Azores Airlines Rallye had always eluded the Sao Mi...

 High drama on last day Azores Alexey Lukyanuk is on course to claim a debut win on the Azores Airlines Rallye following a dramatic start to leg two this morning. Kajetan Kajetanowicz, the reigning European champion, was 9.8s behind Lukyanuk at the overnight halt in Ponta Delgada, but a broken driveshaft on to...

NEWS JUST IN

 P/AZ SS16 - end @ 06:41 PM - Moura takes sensational win on his home round of the ERC. Botka moves from 6th to 4th in the last stage, slightly helped by a 10s time penalty for Orsak. Final results (after SS16)(subject to last road section and scrutineering):
1st= Moura/Costa, Ford, 2h42m23s5;
2nd= Lukyanuk/Artaunov, Ford, +26s8;
3rd= Kajetanowicz/Baran, Ford, +3m23s;
4th= Botka/Szeles, Citroen, +5m28s5;
5th= Orsak/Smeidler, Ford, +5m34s1;
6th= Meireles/Castro, Skoda, +5m44s1;
7th= Rego/Magalhaes, Ford, +5m46s2;
8th= Fontes/Ponte, Citroen, +6m17s9;
9th= Teodosio/Teixeira, Ford, +7m01s2;
10th= Tlustak/Kucera, Skoda, +7m30s7

 P/AZ SS15 @ 05:51 PM - Lukyanuk angry? He beats Moura by 21.2s here with the gap before the last stage now 21.5s!! Punctures for Orsak and Tlustak. Results after SS15:
1st= Moura/Costa, Ford, 2h24m36s4;
2nd= Lukyanuk/Artaunov, Ford, +21s5;
3rd= Kajetanowicz/Baran, Ford, +2m56s6;
4th= Orsak/Smeidler, Ford, +4m44s2;
5th= Meireles/Castro, Skoda, +4m56s2;
6th= Botka/Szeles, Citroen, +5m01s7;
7th= Rego/Magalhaes, Ford, +5m08s;
8th= Fontes/Ponte, Citroen, +5m52s;
9th= Teodosio/Teixeira, Ford, +6m13s1;
10th= Tlustak/Kucera, Skoda, +6m34s5

 P/AZ SS14 - now Lukyanuk @ 04:48 PM - Jeets hits something and has to retire. Lukyanuk loses lead, he says at stage finish "No turbo from stage start, curva!" - which is Russian for whore, meaning his car! Results after SS14:
1st= Moura/Costa, Ford, 2h08m59s2;
2nd= Lukyanuk/Artaunov, Ford, +42s7;
3rd= Kajetanowicz/Baran, Ford, +3m06s;
4th= Orsak/Smeidler, Ford, +3m48s7;
5th= Meireles/Castro, Skoda, +4m24s6;
6th= Botka/Szeles, Citroen, +4m50s6;
7th= Rego/Magalhaes, Ford, +4m56s9;
8th= Tlustak/Kucera, Skoda, +4m58s9;
9th= Jeets/Toom, Skoda, +5m35s6;
10th= Teodosio/Teixeira, Ford, +5m40s4

 P/AZ SS13 @ 02:52 PM - Not much happened as this was a short superspecial. Kajto lost another 30s but next is a service. Results after SS13:
1st= Lukyanuk/Arnautov, Ford, 1h58m12s;
2nd= Moura/Costa, Ford, +25s3;
3rd= Kajetanowicz/Baran, Ford, +3m33s4;
4th= Orsak/Smeidler, Ford, +4m04s4;
5th= Meireles/Castro, Skoda, +4m21s;
6th= Botka/Szeles, Citroen, +4m57s8;
7th= Rego/Magalhaes, Ford, +5m06s4;
8th= Tlustak/Kucera, Skoda, +5m08s;
9th= Jeets/Toom, Skoda, +5m09s3;
10th= Teodosio/Teixeira, Ford, +5m41s3

 P/AZ SS12 - Sirmacis in problems too @ 01:01 PM - Sirmacis out with a broken steering arm. Moura ruined his tyres. Lukyanuk drops 25s with a spin in narrow section. Kajetanowicz continues with 2WD, loses another 1m30s but with Sirmacis problems even moves up to 3rd. 2WD leader Griebel crashes same place as last year. Results after SS12:
1st= Lukyanuk/Arnautov, Ford, 1h54m42s1;
2nd= Moura/Costa, Ford, +20s5;
3rd= Kajetanowicz/Baran, Ford, +3m04s3;
4th= Orsak/Smeidler, Ford, +3m58s5;
5th= Meireles/Castro, Skoda, +4m13s2;
6th= Botka/Szeles, Citroen, +4m44s4;
7th= Rego/Magalhaes, Ford, +5m00s1;
8th= Tlustak/Kucera, Skoda, +5m03s7;
9th= Jeets/Toom, Skoda, +5m04s9;
10th= Teodosio/Teixeira, Ford, +5m38s9

 P/AZ SS11 - Kajto out of fight @ 11:56 AM - Conditions moist. Kajto loses a driveshaft and drops 1m40s. That drops him to 4th and next stage is narrow and twisty, big problem for Kajto. Orsak takes Botka & Meireles for 5th. Fontes gets 1m50s in time penalties for late parc fermé check in last night. Results after SS11:
1st= Lukyanuk/Arnautov, Ford, 1h36m03s4;
2nd= Moura/Costa, Ford, +43s;
3rd= Sirmacis/Simins, Skoda, +1m20s4;
4th= Kajetanowicz/Baran, Ford, +1m56s8;
5th= Orsak/Smeidler, Ford, +4m04s9;
6th= Meireles/Castroa, Skoda, +4m11s4;
7th= Botka/Szeles, Citroen, +4m40s3;
=8th= Tlustak/Kucera, Skoda, +5m03s7;
=8th= Jeets/Toom, Skoda, +5m03s7;
10th= Rego/Magalhaes, Ford, +5m06s3

Fri June 3, 2016

 Many lead changes in Azores so far Alexey Lukyanuk leads round four of the FIA European Rally Championship after snatching the initiative from Kajetan Kajetanowicz at the end of a fascinating duel through day two of the spectacular Azores Airlines Rallye. Russian driver Lukyanuk had signalled his intent at the ...

 Lukyanuk takes lead in Azores Alexey Lukyanuk will start the final day of the Azores Airlines Rallye leading the spectacular gravel event by 9.8s following a thrilling battle for victory with European champion Kajetan Kajetanowicz. Overnight leader Kajetanowicz, from Poland, was still in front at midday se...

 Azores day1: 1s lead for Kajetanowicz The defending FIA European Rally Champion Kajetan Kajetanowicz holds a one-second lead over the category’s newest winner Ralfs Sirmacis following a close four-way fight for first place through the opening four stages of the Azores Airlines Rallye. Kajetanowicz won the first st...

NEWS JUST IN

 P/AZ SS10 - day2 @ 05:39 PM - Lukyanuk wins every stage in the loop and now on the last stage takes the rally lead! Otherwise very few dramas, famous rim of volcano stage, 26km long with 82% gravel, 18% asphalt. Now dry and without fog Lukyanuk is exactly 1min faster than fastest time this morning. Results after day2 (SS10):
1st= Lukyanuk/Arnautov, Ford, 1h20m35s2;
2nd= Kajetanowicz/Baran, Ford, +9s8;
3rd= Moura/Costa, Ford, +40s8;
4th= Sirmacis/Simins, Skoda, +1m05s1;
5th= Meireles/Castro, Skoda, +3m08s8;
6th= Fontes/Ponte, Citroen, +3m24s6;
7th= Botka/Szeles, Citroen, +3m37s;
8th= Orsak/Smeidler, Ford, +3m38s9;
9th= Jeets/Toom, Skoda, +4m17s5;
10th= Tlustak/Kucera, Skoda, +4m21s5

 P/AZ SS9 @ 04:53 PM - 2nd stage win in a row for Lukyanuk with Kajto's lead down to 6.7s. Conditions are much drier than this morning and no fog, so the volcano stage coming now should be fun. Results after SS9:
1st= Kajetanowicz/Baran, Ford, 1h02m46s2;
2nd= Lukyanuk/Arnautov, Ford, +6s7;
3rd= Moura/Costa, Ford, +34s9;
4th= Sirmacis/Simins, Skoda, +49s4;
5th= Meireles/Castro, Skoda, +2m21s8;
6th= Fontes/Ponte, Citroen, +2m35s;
7th= Botka/Szeles, Citroen, +2m44s7;
8th= Orsak/Smeidler, Ford, +2m50s9;
9th= Tlustak/Kucera, Skoda, +3m06s4;
10th= Barbosa/Ramalho, Skoda, +3m30s9

 P/AZ SS8 @ 04:11 PM - Lukyanuk fastest in stage, Kajto keeps lead. Citroen driver Carlos Martins did not restart after service with technical problems. Results after SS8:
1st= Kajetanowicz/Baran, Ford, 57m07s5;
2nd= Lukyanuk/Arnautov, Ford, +8s2;
3rd= Moura/Costa, Ford, +32s7;
4th= Sirmacis/Simins, Skoda, +46s3;
5th= Meireles/Castro, Skoda, +2m03s8;
6th= Fontes/Ponte, Citroen, +2m17s5;
7th= Botka/Szeles, Citroen, +2m25s9;
8th= Orsak/Smeidler, Ford, +2m40s9;
9th= Tlustak/Kucera, Skoda, +2m49s;
10th= Barbosa/Ramalho, Skoda, +3m09s

 P/AZ SS7 @ 01:33 PM - Famous stage around the rim of a volcano. Kajto extends his lead. Barros crashes out from 6th. Sirmacis struggles a bit with braking points and Peres carries some technical problem and loses near 2min. Fontes leaps from 10th to 6th. Results after SS7:
1st= Kajetanowicz/Baran, Ford, 52m17s9;
2nd= Lukyanuk/Arnautov, Ford, +12s2;
3rd= Moura/Costa, Ford, +29s6;
4th= Sirmacis/Simins, Skoda, +46s7;
5th= Meireles/Castro, Skoda, +1m58s1;
6th= Fontes/Ponte, Citroen, +2m12s8;
7th= Botka/Szeles, Citroen, +2m16s4;
8th= Orsak/Smeidler, Ford, +2m31s4;
9th= Tlustak/Kucera, Skoda, +2m39s;
10th= Barbosa/Ramalho, Skoda, +2m57s7

 P/AZ SS6 @ 01:03 PM - Despite this being relatively short stages, lead changes every stage. Next stage 26km Sete Cidades. Kajto re-takes lead and Moura takes 3rd from Sirmacis. Peres spun and drops from 7th to 13th. Results after SS6:
1st= Kajetanowicz/Baran, Ford, 33m35s5;
2nd= Lukyanuk/Arnautov, Ford, +6s3;
3rd= Moura/Costa, Ford, +21s1;
4th= Sirmacis/Simins, Skoda, +25s7;
5th= Meireles/Castro, Skoda, +1m09s4;
6th= Barros/Henriques, Ford, +1m20s2;
7th= Botka/Szeles, Citroen, +1m20s9;
8th= Tlustak/Kucera, Skoda, +1m22s1;
9th= Orsak/Smeidler, Ford, +1m27s6;
10th= Fontes/Ponte, Citroen, +1m29s7

 P/AZ SS5 @ 12:19 AM - Stages are wet. And the day starts with a new leader! Kajetanowicz takes 2 further sec out of Sirmacis, but it is Lukyanuk who wins stage and takes lead. He was only 18th after crashing on SS1 yesterday. Fontes also overcomes his problems of yesterday and moves into top10. Results after SS5:
1st= Lukyanuk/Arnautov, Ford, 27m32s;
2nd= Kajetanowicz/Baran, Ford, +2s6;
3rd= Sirmacis/Simins, Skoda, +5s6;
4th= Moura/Costa, Ford, +13s3;
5th= Tlustak/Kucera, Skoda, +46s;
6th= Meireles/Castro, Skoda, +46s1;
7th= Peres/Silva, Ford, +48s1;
8th= Barros/Henriques, Ford, +49s3;
9th= Botka/Szeles, Citroen, +53s3;
10th= Fontes/Ponte, Citroen, +56s4

Thu June 2, 2016

 Start order selected for Azores Alexey Lukyanuk will run position 15 on the road when the 51st Azores Airlines Rallye begins with the first of 16 stages later today. The Russian was the first driver to choose his starting position after setting the pace on this morning's Qualifying Stage. At a ceremony i...

 Azores qualifying results & quotes Alexey Lukyanuk has begun his Azores Airlines Rallye victory bid in style with the fastest time on the Qualifying Stage for the combined FIA European and Portuguese championship event. Driving a Ford Fiesta R5, Lukyanuk took 1m54.889s to complete the 3.12-kilometre Remedios te...

NEWS JUST IN

 P/AZ SS4 - day1 @ 08:01 PM - The Superspecial is very short but mixes up the field, it is full rain when previous stages were dry. Sirmacis wins but neither Kajto nor Lukyanuk nor Moura are in top5. Results after day1 (SS4):
1st= Kajetanowicz/Baran, Ford, 22m30s8;
2nd= Sirmacis/Simins, Skoda, +1s;
3rd= Lukyanuk/Arnautov, Ford, +3s7;
4th= Moura/Costa, Ford, +10s5;
5th= Botka/Szeles, Citroen, +35s;
6th= Tlustak/Kucera, Skoda, +35s4;
7th= Peres/Silva, Ford, +35s6;
8th= Meireles/Castro, Skoda, +36s;
9th= Barros/Henriques, Ford, +37s8;
10th= Rego/Magalhaes, Ford, +44s9

 P/AZ SS3 @ 06:46 PM - Longest stage of the day. Fastest time fopr Lukyanuk despite his earlier problems. Kajto retakes lead. Larsen is off road. Results after SS3:
1st= Kajetanowicz/Baran, Ford, 18m45s8;
2nd= Moura/Costa, Ford, +5s5;
3rd= Sirmacis/Simins, Skoda, +7s2;
4th= Lukyanuk/Arnautov, Ford, +7s8;
5th= Tlustak/Kucera, Skoda, +34s5;
6th= Peres/Silva, Ford, +38s1;
7th= Meireles/Castro, Skoda, +38s2;
8th= Botka/Szeles, Citroen, +40s3;
9th= Barros/Henriques, Ford, +42s;
10th= Barbosa/Ramalho, Skoda, +46s3

 P/AZ SS2 @ 05:55 PM - Kajto enjoys big slides, but stage win and rally lead goes to Moura. Better time for Lukyanuk moving him into top10, but he has a suspension problem before the day's longest stage. Results after SS2:
1st= Moura/Costa, Ford, 8m16s3;
2nd= Sirmacis/Simins, Skoda, +2s1;
3rd= Kajetanowicz/Baran, Ford, +5s9;
4th= Peres/Silva, Ford, +10s4;
5th= Botka/Szeles, Citroen, +12s4;
6th= Larsen/Eriksen, Ford, +13s;
7th= Meireles/Castro, Skoda, +14s;
8th= Tlustak/Kucera, Skoda, +16s6;
9th= Lukyanuk/Arnautov, Ford, +17s8;
10th= Barros/Henriques, Ford, +18s2

 P/AZ SS1 @ 05:33 PM - Dramatic start on stage with 26% asphalt. Kajto wins stage 0.2s from local hero Moura. But qualifying winner Lukyanuk hit something and posts 18th time. Portuguese champion Fontes stopped after stage finish with engine problems. Results after SS1:
1st= Kajetanowicz/Baran, Ford, 4m42s5;
2nd= Moura/Costa, Ford, +0s2;
3rd= Sirmacis/Simins, Skoda, +1s1;
4th= Peres/Silva, Ford, +3s2;
5th= Larsen/Eriksen, Ford, +4s1;
6th= Meireles/Castro, Skoda, +5s3;
7th= Bokta/Szeles, Citroen, +5s6;
8th= Barros/Henriques, Ford, +6s3;
9th= Tlustak/Kucera, Skoda, +6s4;
10th= Alves/Ramalho, Ford, +6s6

Sat May 28, 2016

 Full preview Acores Airlines Rally EVENT PREVIEW: 2016 FIA European Rally Championship, round four of 10 Azores Airlines Rallye, 2-4 June (Portugal). *Stunning scenery and testing stages await drivers in the Azores. *New star Sirmacis takes on Kajetanowicz, Lukyanuk and Portugal’s best. ...

Fri May 27, 2016

 Portugals best register for ERC he best rally drivers in Portugal have registered for the FIA European Rally Championship ahead of their ‘home’ round of the series, the Azores Airlines Rallye. A huge field of R5 cars will take part in the event on 2-4 June, bolstered by competitors from the strong Portuguese...

Thu May 26, 2016

 ERC Junior: Perfect place to learn Pirelli’s rally activity manager Terenzio Testoni has pledged to put in place a comprehensive tyre training programme for ERC Junior drivers before the start of each round, with a session held on round one in Ireland, and another scheduled for the Azores, where the championship r...