Rally / 18 March 2013

GERMAN HERNANDEZ AND ZOLTAN BESSENYEY FIGHT FOR POINTS IN GRAN CANARIA

After the snow and ice of Austria and Latvia, the European Rally Championship moves to the warmth and sunshine of the Gran Canaria this week for the Rally Islas Canarias El Corte Ingl?s. And for this the third round of the ERC and the first asphalt event of the year, all eyes will be focused on local hero German Hernandez and ?rookie? Zoltan Bessenyey.

Last year German Hernandez and co-driver Isra?l Pereira scored valuable points for Honda in the Manufacturer?s Cup, behind the wheel of the Norauto-Honda Civic Type R. They finished in a respectable 4th place in the 2WD and German also became vice-champion in the Las Palmas Championship, behind the Marrero-brothers, also driving a Civic Type R.

Without the Marrero?s this year, German and GerMa Motorsport -  who team up in this event with the ?Eurosol-Honda Civic Type R? squad - are looking to repeat their excellent performance and are certain that they can make the most of their home track advantage in the 2WD category.

However, even with local knowledge, the Rally Islas Canarias poses a number of challenges. Six of the fourteen stages are longer than 20 km and above all, the highly abrasive asphalt surface puts huge demands on the tyres.

?Following our performance in 2012, Hankook offered to support us this year and provide us with tyres, which we accepted.? says German. ?Experience is important here, but equally you need a precise set-up, good pace notes and of course, to stay out of trouble with your tyres. That?s why we picked Hankook.?

Knowledge of the rally is an extra difficulty for Hungarian Zoltan Bessenyey, who will take on the course?s frequent climbs and descents for the first time.

?With my circuit experience, I?m looking forward to the challenge of asphalt.? said the Eurosol-Honda Civic Type R driver. ?Clearly the local drivers, including German Hernandez, will have an advantage and a lot will depend on the recce. But I have been doing my homework. I competed in a full asphalt rally in Italy last year and we also did a test in Hungary, so I?ve looking back at the footage filmed on board. Our Honda is also equipped with a new engine, gearbox and the latest evolutions; so we are totally ready! If we?re able to complete the long first day, we will focus on making it to the finish and a stage place in 2WD. And of course, scoring full points for the ERC 2WD Team Championship.?

The Rally Islas Canarias El Corte Ingl?s starts on Friday March 22 at 07h48 and finishes after eight stages and 144 kilometres. There will be another six special stages on Saturday March 23 and after 101 kilometres against the clock, the first contestant will be expected at the finishing line at the Plaza de Canarias around 17h53.


More: www.fiaerc.com