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Llarena and Fernández take third in rally of mixed conditions
On their first competitive outing with the car, former FIA European Rally champions Efrén Llarena and Sara Fernández claimed an overall podium in their Hyundai Motor España-backed i20 N Rally2 at Rally Princesa de Asturias (September 6-7).
Wet weather on the opening day added even more difficulty to the event that was already complicated enough as they adapted to the new car. The duo had to survive a puncture on the opening stage, but consistent times in the challenging conditions secured a place in the top five at the overnight halt.
Over the course of the second day their ever-improving pace on now mostly dry roads, as well as avoiding any more issues, drew them into the battle for the podium as they crept up the leaderboard, taking second on the penultimate stage after a puncture slowed their rivals. However, Llarena and Fernández were unable to keep the runner-up position through the final test, dropping down the final step on the podium for, nonetheless, a strong first weekend at the wheel of a Hyundai Motorsport-built machine.
i20 N Rally2 regulars in the Spanish Superchampionship Sergi Pérez Jr and Axel Coronado were forced out of the rally during the opening day by a pair of punctures. They rejoined for the second day and though they were again hampered by a puncture on the TC Plus power stage, top five times on the three stages of the final loop offered a glimpse of what could have been possible with the previous day’s drama.
