Eric Camilli and Hugo Margaillan score a double podium at Rallye Rhône Charbonnières with the i20 N Rally2.
Ciamin continues WRC2 Challenger podium streak in Croatia
Nicolas Ciamin continued his record of finishing on the WRC2 Challenger podium in every rally he has contested so far by finishing third in class at the Croatia Rally (April 18-21). He and co-driver Yannick Roche finished fourth overall of the crews entered for WRC2 in a car prepared by 2C Competition. Though their tyre strategy on the opening day meant they lost time, they remained focused and improved their pace during the event. They set top five times in the category throughout the event – including second fastest on the Power Stage – and were fastest twice in the Challenger class for less experienced drivers.
Emil Lindholm and Reeta Hämäläinen suffered a puncture on the opening stage put were able to move back to seventh in WRC before losing a place as the suffered a minor technical problem on the final day.
Fantastic double podium in France on first weekend with latest updates
Drivers Eric Camilli and Hugo Margaillan placed two i20 N Rally2 on the final podium at Rallye Rhône Charbonnières (April 19-20) in the French Tarmac Rally Championship. On their first event with the latest updated parts for the car, the two took full advantage of the steps forward in power and torque to set a number of quick stage times, including four fastest times for Camilli, co-driver Thibault de la Haye and their 2C Competition entry.
The pace helped them secure second place during the final day of the rally. They were followed up the order by CHL Sport Auto crew Margaillan and Corentin Silvestre who claimed third position after a consistent weekend. The pair were never outside of the top five on the stages and twice during the final loop completed an i20 N Rally2 1-2 at the top of the times.
Zaldivar scores dominant win in Argentine CODASUR event
Fabrizio Zaldivar and Marcelo Der Ohanessian took victory by over a half a minute at Rally Jesús María (April 12-14) in Argentina with their Automotor Rally Team-run entry. The duo briefly took the lead after setting the quickest time on SS2 but reached the end of the opening loop in second. A second stage win of the day straight after service moved the i20 N Rally2 pair back into the lead. This time they held the position, aided by a further stage win on the final test of the opening day.
During a shortened second day of competition – two of the planned four stages cancelled due to poor weather – Zaldivar and Der Ohanessian more than doubled their advantage at the top of the overall standings to complete a first win of the FIA CODASUR Rally Championship season.
Argentine crew Santiago Baldo and Zacarías García finished ninth in their i20 R5.
Podium finish on driver’s i20 N Rally2 debut on French gravel
On his first rally with an i20 N Rally2, Laurent Pellier completed the podium places at Rallye Terre des Causses (April 6-7). Throughout the opening day of the first round of this year’s French Gravel Rally Championship Pellier and co-driver Kévin Bronner improved their pace and overall position, finishing the day with a stage victory and in second place overall.
Though they remained consistent during the four stages of day two of the event, they would lose a place to finish third overall.
British Rally Championship crew finish fourth on latest i20 N Rallye European Challenge event
i20 N Rally2 crew James Williams and Ross Whittock scored their second consecutive fourth place finish to begin the British Rally Championship season at the Severn Valley Stages (April 13). The weekend was the first of two events where teams in the series can claim extra prize money from the i20 N Rally2 European Challenge. In similar form to the opening round of the championship, the pair showed good pace – including two third fastest times on the stages as they tried to chase down a podium finish. However, despite their efforts they narrowly missed out on the European Challenge prize money available to Hyundai Motorsport customer crews finishing in the top three.
Final stage puncture ruins Paddon’s podium run at Rally Hungary
Hayden Paddon and John Kennard suffered final stage heartbreak on the final stage of round one of the FIA European Rally Championship at Rally Hungary (April 12-14). The defending series champions were strong throughout the rally and held a top five position for the entire event. As the event continued their experience – and the performance and reliability of their BRC Racing Team-prepared i20 N Rally2 – helped them move up the orders as their rival retired after mistakes and with damaged cars. Paddon and Kennard started the final stage in second, less than eight seconds behind the leaders. However, half-way through the 10km Power Stage they suffered a puncture and lost time, falling off the podium to finish fourth.
Consistent weekend yields fourth place overall in American rally
i20 N Rally2 crew John Coyne and Aris Mantopoulos finished fourth overall on the Olympus Rally (April 20-21). The duo set best time in class on every stage and clocked the third fastest effort on four of the 16 stages, including the Power Stage that completed the weekend. Coyne and Mantopoulos held fourth position overall for most of the rally, having taken it after SS5. Their weekend remained trouble-free as they went to win the class.
Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Manager Benoit Nogier said: “In rallying, our i20 N Rally2 customers have enjoyed good results of their own. On his first rally with the car Laurent Pellier finished third to start the French Gravel Rally Championship season at Rallye Terre des Causses, and Fabrizio Zaldivar bounced back from a retirement to start the season with a great victory at the most recent round of the FIA CODASUR Rally Championship. Even more promising is the double podium for Eric Camilli and Hugo Margaillan at Rallye Rhône Charbonnières in their first event with the additional power and torque delivered by our latest developments to the i20 N Rally2.”
