Benito Guerra has described winning a six-way battle for FIA Production World Rally Championship glory on RallyRACC-Rally de Espana as the best day of his life.
With an advantage of almost six minutes starting the final day, it was a case of keeping his concentration and coaxing his Mitsubishi Lancer to the finish. Apart from overheating brakes in the morning, little troubled the Mexican, who secured the PWRC title with his third victory of the season alongside co-driver Borja Rozada from Spain.
“I think this is the best day of my life,” said Guerra. “This is the first FIA title for me and for Mexico and the feeling is like nothing I have experienced before. I think this will also bring me new opportunities and new sponsors, maybe I will even step up to a World Rally Car. Thanks to everyone who helped me win this weekend.”
Argentina’s Marcos Ligato had led after day one only for brake woes to drop him back. He eventually finished second after snatching the spot from Subhan Aksa when the Indonesian hit trouble on stage 16. Ligato’s efforts earned him the coveted runner-up spot in the final table ahead of Ukraine’s Valeriy Gorban, who finished fourth in Spain behind Aksa.
Poland’s Michal Kosciuszko restarted on Sunday following his off on day two to take sixth on the rally behind Italy’s Lorenzo Bertelli and fourth in the final standings. Aksa finishes fifth in the overall standings with Nicolas Fuchs sixth. The Peruvian retired on Saturday’s first stage after his brakes caught fire. He restarted and finished ninth.
Spanish wildcard Yeray Lemes also restarted under Rally 2 rules after dropping out with a mechanical fault on Saturday. He impressed by winning all six stages on Sunday.