Pierre Campana has brought the penultimate day of action for this week’s Monte Carlo rally to a positive conclusion by setting top six times in each of the stages on Saturday, including the legendary Col du Turini which was lined with a mass of passionate rally fans.
Pierre left his best until last with a highly competitive run to fourth place in SS17, just 2 seconds off the pace of rally-leading Sébastien Loeb, and increased his time advantage over his nearest rival in the overall standings to two minutes.
It was a determined and consistently strong performance from Pierre today following some impressive stages on Friday. Pierre aimed to translate the positive momentum from Friday into a string of competitive runs in today’s four stages, a repeat loop of two stages, held in dry conditions on asphalt.
His intentions were clear from the outset with a solid sixth place in the opening Col du Turini stage. An equally fault-free run in SS15 ensured he consolidated his seventh place in the overall standings yet further.
The repeat loop held in night-time conditions did not detract from Pierre’s positive day as he cemented another sixth place in the Col du Turini, drawing inspiration from the electric atmosphere on this final full day of action. The final stage of the day was a particular highlight for Pierre, though, as he set the fourth best stage time and positioned himself among some of the most elite drivers in WRC.
Pierre is now looking forward to the final stage of the event, the power stage, which will be held on Sunday morning with an expectant crowd of supports on-site as well as being broadcast to television viewers around the globe.
Pierre Campana said: “I have been completely amazed by the vast number of spectators that have lined the routes of today’s stages, especially Col du Turini. I have never experienced an atmosphere like it in any rally I have participated in and it has been a real buzz to drive in front of such an incredible crowd of fans. After the positive outcome of yesterday, I was determined to continue with another trouble-free performance today and to show another day-by-day improvement. I think I achieved that and built up a bigger lead over my nearest rival in the overall standings. I have enjoyed today’s four stages and the MINI John Cooper Works WRC has been fantastic to drive once again. To finish the two Col du Turini stages in sixth place and finishing fourth in SS17 was a great feeling – especially when comparing my times to those of the front-runners. I am really looking forward to the power stage tomorrow morning where my aim is to end this event with my best performance and hopefully do MINI and myself proud.”