25.05-26.05.2019

News

  • 26-05-2019 18:40

    Oliver Solberg wins as Mārtiņš Sesks seals the podium in Rally Liepāja

    Rally Liepāja, the third round of the 2019 FIA European Rally Championship, concluded today with stages in Aizpute, Durbe, Priekule, Skrunda, and Vaiņode. Swedish driver Oliver Solberg (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5) won both the overall classification and the ERC1 Junior class. Last year’s European champion Alexey Lukyanuk (Citroen C3 R5) came second, 22.7 seconds behind the winner. Mārtiņš Sesks (Škoda Fabia R5) thrilled the local fans by finishing third overall in his debut in an R5 class car, trailing Solberg by 57.4 seconds.

“Incredible! The rally was absolutely perfect! This is the most significant victory of my career so far! Today we tried to drive without taking any unnecessary risks. I managed to find a good rhythm and maintain it throughout the day. In places, I was driving too cautiously and slowly,” says the clearly excited Oliver Solberg.

“On the first stage of the day, we had to get up to speed ourselves and get some temperature into the braking system, so we tried braking early. There were a few driving errors here and there, but we drove calmly, enjoyed the roads and learned. I would like to thank everyone who came to the event, this was an unforgettable weekend. Thank you!” comments Mārtiņš Sesks.

Ralfs Sirmacis (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) managed to maintain his lead in the ERC2 class, winning seven of eight special stages on Sunday and finishing more than ten minutes ahead of everyone else in his class.

Despite the electrical issue on Saturday, Reinis Nitišs returned to the stages today in his rear-wheel drive Abarth 124 Rally car, and was quickest among the three Abarth cars on Leg 2.

Multiple special prizes were given out during the awards ceremony. Rally Liepāja winner Oliver Solberg received the Neste prize for the quickest total time through SS10 and SS12, as well as the Sixt, Latvijas Speciālā Ekonomiskā Zona, and Narvesen special prizes. SC Grupa special prizes were earned by two drivers – Oliver Solberg and Estonian Georg Gross, who also received the Liepāja city special prize for the quickest total time through SS11 and SS13, as well as the Ramirent special prize. The Ramirent sympathy award was given to Reinis Nitišs. While ERST Finance prize was handed to Māris Dzērve driving rally-prepared GAZ 53A truck.

Round four of the Latvian Rally Championship also took place today, with seventeen year-old Oliver Solberg winning the overall classification. Liepāja native Mārtiņš Sesks was second (+32.5sec), while Saturday’s winner Georg Gross, driving a newest specification Ford Fiesta WRC, concluded the top three, finishing just 0.7 seconds behind Sesks. Edijs Bergmanis (LRC1) and Ralfs Sirmacis (LRC2) were the quickest in their respective classes. For the second day in a row, we saw Adam Westlund (LRC3) and Marko Ringenberg (LRC4) on the top spot on the podium, while Estonian Karel Tolp was fastest in LRC5 class.

Meanwhile, the Historic Regularity rally was won by Arnis Modris and Elmārs Tikums in an Opel Ascona.

All event results: http://autorally.lv/.

News and other information about Rally Liepāja can be found on the official website at www.lvrally.com, as well as on social media Twitter @LVRally, Facebook /LVRally, draugiem.lv /lvrally, YouTube /RallyLiepāja and Instagram /lvrally.

FIA European Rally Championship round Rally Liepāja is possible thanks to the support of the Latvian government, the rally city of Liepāja, as well as the Talsi region. We would also like to thank our sponsors Neste, Ramirent, and SC Grupa, car rental partner Sixt, and our supporters Canon Business Center – IB Serviss, Liepājas Olimpiskais Centrs, Liepājas Speciālās Ekonomiskās Zonas Pārvalde, Pafbet Score, and Swecon. Informative support is provided by news portal DELFI and media partners Go4Speed, JCDecaux Latvija, Kurzemes Vārds, Talsu Vēstis, and Zebra. Rally Liepāja would also not be possible without our rally friends: adGuru, Baltic Taxi, Dardedze, Flora, FN Serviss, Fristads, Jānis Pūce, Latvijas Pārtikas Ražotājs, Lofbergs, Meža Dārzs, Narvesen, Red Bull, Red Sun Buffet, Scan-Plast, SignTech, Sportland, TN Kurzeme, and Törley. Rally Liepāja is realized with support by the regional councils of Aizpute, Durbe, Priekule, Skrunda, and Vaiņode. A special thank you goes out to the Latvian Automobile Federation.

Rally Liepāja is organized by RA EVENTS and Speed Festival Kurzeme.