ERC2: Cyprus locals dominate ERC production field

Psaltis Auto Parts driver Polykarpou continued on from his overall podium in last year’s event with a strong Leg One performance, winning four stages from six.

However, those two stages which Polykarpou could not win were instead topped by Q8 Oils Rally Team pilot Panteli, who recovered 7.2s from Polykarpou to keep ERC2’s lead battle alive and well.

As many R5 specification cars seen in ERC’s top category hit trouble, ERC2’s fleet of production-spec Mitsubishi Lancers remained tough, with only one retirement all day amongst the support class field.

Andreas Psaltis had been locked in a fight over second place with Panteli on Saturday morning, but steering failure in SS3 sent him into a ditch, causing a red flag and causing him to retire on the spot.

Psaltis’ retirement allowed Michalis Posedias to elevate his Autotelio Lancer Evo X into a podium position, holding station in third place throughout the remainder of Saturday, 56.9s behind category leader Polykarpou.

Behind a trio of local experts were a pair of familiar ERC faces. Juan Carlos Alonso came closest to breaking a Cypriot podium lockout in Leg One, finishing Saturday 1m26.5s behind Polykarpou.

Alonso’s efforts were compromised by being first on the road, leading ERC’s entire 28-car contingent into every stage. This meant suffering through road sweeping duties, cleaning a path for those who followed.

Zelindo Melegari was pleased to complete a trouble-free day in fifth place, 3m02.8s behind Polykarpou. Despite his gap to the Cypriot frontrunners, it was a welcomed improvement for Melegari after suffering mechanical woes throughout this season to date.

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