The Slovenian duo dominated the second round of the IRC with an emphatic performance, while Pollara finished just outside the top ten and Hakalehto secured an Under 25 podium.
The Rally Internazionale del Taro delivered a highly rewarding weekend for MS Munaretto, culminating in the overall victory of Boštjan Avbelj and Damijan Andrejka, the undisputed stars of the second round of the International Rally Cup.
At the wheel of the number 3 Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, the Slovenian crew set the pace from the opening stages, building their success stage after stage and claiming the fastest time on every special stage of the event. It was a clear, authoritative and faultless performance, allowing Avbelj and Andrejka to make the best possible response after the disappointment of the Targa Florio and to relaunch their campaign in the series in commanding fashion.
On the roads of the Parma Apennines, the MS Munaretto driver showed pace, composure and complete control of the rally, once again confirming his value in a highly competitive field.
It was a more complex rally, but one fought right down to the final metre, for Marco Pollara and Giuseppe Princiotto, competing in the number 4 Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. The Sicilian crew remained firmly in the upper part of the overall top ten until the sixth special stage, confirming a solid and competitive pace. On the following stage, however, a number of difficulties compromised the work done in the first part of the rally, causing Pollara and Princiotto to slip significantly down the overall standings.
Despite that setback, their response came on the final stage, tackled with determination and with the desire to recover ground right up to the last kilometre. Pollara managed to climb back to just outside the overall top ten, closing a rally that inevitably leaves a touch of regret, but also confirms a level of competitiveness that never faded.
There were also positive signs in Rally4, where Aatu Hakalehto, co-driven by Niklas Heino in the number 50 Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF, completed a rally full of character. After the disappointment experienced in the previous round at the Bauhaus Royal Rally of Scandinavia, the Finnish driver responded with an aggressive and concrete performance, securing third place among the Under 25 crews.
For Hakalehto and Heino, Rally del Taro represented an important step in regaining confidence, rhythm and consistency on asphalt. The result in the junior classification rewards a solid and determined approach, confirming the potential of both the crew and the Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF in the category battle.
