Kevin Abbring tops the IRC 2WD Cup standings heading into the final day of the Geko Ypres Rally after pre-event favourite Kris Princen retired with alternator failure on stage five of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier.
Like Princen, Dutchman Abbring is contesting the combined Clio R3 European Trophy and is eligible to score IRC 2WD Cup drivers’ points. He had trailed Princen in the early stages but moved ahead when the Belgian hit trouble.
“I like this rally very much because you can drive at 100 per cent from start to finish,” said the 21-year-old Abbring, who picked up a 10-second penalty for leaving Friday’s second service one minute late while his team rushed to repair a mechanical fault. “Our gear ratios meant we were on the [rev] limiter most of the time but it seemed to be okay. My only mistake was on stage when I went wide while I was playing with my brake bias. I’m just going to try and keep at the same pace now and hopefully we get to the finish.”
Corsican Pierre Campana is an impressive second overall and firmly in contention for victory in a similar Clio R3 after overcoming brake problems on stage one and a front-right puncture on stage two. The 25-year-old is making his Ypres Rally debut and went faster than Abbring on Friday’s final stage. With Princen retiring, Campana could move to the head of the IRC 2WD points if he remains in second place.