Articles

Drivers` thoughts after the Qualifying Stage

17. 8. 2019 - Jan Boček, Evžen Gargulák

After the end of shakedown and the qualification, we interviewed the leading crews from the start list and also the fastest youngsters from the ERC Junior category. Qualifying Stage measured 4.40 km and took place on the well-known section from Pohořelice to Komárov. The fastest one was Jan Kopecký, with a final time of 2:39.893 minutes. Only 75 thousandths of seconds behind him was Nikolay Gryazin, the young Russian driver with Latvian license. Alexey Lukyanuk Lukyanuk was third with a loss of just over one second. Filip Mareš and Tomáš Kostka were fourth, respectively fifth.

Alexey Lukyanuk (RUS, Citroën C3 R5, No. 1):
"I'm not very happy with the results, we could be faster. We still need to make some adjustments to the car, but we are learning and moving on. It is that bad, but it could be better."

Łukasz Habaj (POL, Škoda Fabia R5, No. 2):
"SS was fine, I enjoyed it a lot. We had no major problems. Maybe we were a little too cautious. The result could have been a little better, but it's just qualification, and we didn't take any risks."

Jan Kopecký (CZE, Škoda Fabia R5 Evo, No. 4):
"I was just a qualification, a warm-up before the Barum Rally, the car worked well. We tried to adjust the shock absorbers, and it worked, so we'll see. As always, I look forward to the Barum Rally."

Filip Mareš (CZE, Škoda Fabia R5, No. 5):
"We passed it without major mistakes, maybe only in one turn, I lost a little. Overall, I am satisfied."

Norbert Herczig (HUN, Volkswagen Polo Gti R5, No. 6):
"Everything ok. We had no problem."

Jan Černý (CZE, Škoda Fabia R5, No. 7):
"I was looking forward to the Barum Rally. There are great SS, and I always have a lot of fun. We have a great car, made especially for the Czech stages. We were fourth in qualification, so we are happy."

Marijan Griebel (DEU, škoda Fabia R5, No. 8):
"We had minor technical problems, it bothered me, but what can I do."

Václav Pech (CZE, Ford Fiesta R5, No. 9):
"Everything was ok, it worked out pretty well, and I am happy with the result. Car's set up was super. I do not complain about anything."

Nikolaj Grjazin (LVA, Škoda Fabia R5, No. 10):
"Qualification was good, we lost some time in some corners, fortunately not much. But I am more or less satisfied with the results. I know I made mistakes and that it could be better. We choose the road order after Kopecký, which is good, he is very experienced and knows what to do."

Mattias Adielsson (SWE, Ford Fiesta R5, No. 11):
"Of course, I couldn't wait for the Barum Rally, and I am satisfied with the result. I have minimal experience on the tarmac, and I finished just six seconds behind Kopecký on four kilometers, so I am delighted."

Miko Marczyk (POL, Škoda Fabia R5, No. 12):
"We could have been a bit faster, but I am still delighted because it is our debut. I consider the Barum Rally as one of the best tarmac races in terms of competition. I'm delighted to be here."

Paulo Nobre (BRA, Škoda Fabia R5, No. 14):
"I enjoyed the race, it was a good SS. The car setup was perfect. But unfortunately, asphalt is always a problem for us, we are not used to it from Brazil."

Hiroki Arai (JPN, Citroën C3 R5, No. 15):
"We want to be ready for the entire competition, not just the qualification."

Vojtěch Štajf (CZE, Volkswagen Polo Gti R5, No. 16):
"I am satisfied with the results of the qualification. We finished eleventh, which I think is a good result considering the great competition. It turns out that car is a bit better after the ongoing development works. We are doing well, and the notes fit us."

Tomáš Kostka (CZE, Škoda Fabia R5 Evo, No. 17):
"We took the qualification easy. We will probably get to race tomorrow. I haven't had a lot of time with this car, but I think it will be good."

Martin Březík (CZE, Škoda Fabia R5 Evo, No. 25):
"Of course, I look forward to the Barum Rally. I feel terrific about the qualification because we got to the fifteenth position, for which we are happy. I think it is difficult with the big guys and we did it. We are happy."

Miroslav Jakeš (CZE, Škoda Fabia R5, No. 20):
"The car is perfectly fine. We are more or less satisfied with the results, it could have been a bit better, but ok. As every year, I could not wait for the Barum Rally."

Tomáš Pospíšilík (CZE, Škoda Fabia R5, No. 23):
"Qualification was fine. We had some delay there. One pass was on cold tires, the other was better. Unfortunately, we wanted to be among the fifteen fastest, which we missed. It is a pity."

Ken Torn (EST, Ford Fiesta R2T, No. 35):
"The qualification was fine, everything went as I would expect, but we tried to drive safely anyway. Car is good. I enjoyed the SS."

Efrén Llarena (ESP, Peugeot 208 R2, No. 36):
"Barum Rally is an excellent rally with a great atmosphere, we always enjoy it very much. It wasn't outstanding in the qualification, we made changes to the car, and it wasn't a good decision."

Sindre Furuseth (NOR, Peugeot 208 R2, No. 37):
"The Barum Rally is always special because you never know what can happen. Car is good. We were definitely quick but still careful."

Erik Cais (CZE, Ford Fiesta R2T, No. 40):
"It was pretty good. On cold tires, it is difficult, so it was mainly about survival. But we need to maintain a good standard throughout the rally."

Yohan Rossel (FRA, Peugeot 208 R2, No. 41):
"We enjoyed the qualification very much, it was not very easy, but I gave it a lot. There is solid competition, and it is a pleasure for me to be here."