Rally Mexico: ŠKODA’s Tidemand wins WRC2 and takes series lead; first points for Rovanperä
Pontus Tidemand and Jonas Andersson who won the WRC2 category at Rally Mexico. Photo: SKODA AUTO
León (Mexico): ŠKODA factory crew Pontus Tidemand and co-driver Jonas Andersson from Sweden achieved a dominant WRC2 win at Rally Guanajuato Mexico on Sunday, finishing seventh overall with their ŠKODA FABIA R5. With his first WRC2 win of 2018, Tidemand took the championship lead after three rounds of the 2018 FIA World Rally Championship.
Team-mates Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen from Finland had to retire after the second stage, but could re-start under Rally-2 regulations on Saturday and Sunday. They scored five fastest times, finished fifth in WRC2 category and collected their first championship points of the season.
Reigning WRC2 champions Tidemand and Andersson proved their speed and reliability on the tough gravel roads of Rally Mexico. With a faultless drive, they led from start to finish, won 17 of the 22 Special Stages and repeated their Mexico victory of last year.
Their ŠKODA FABIA R5 was well prepared for the tough conditions in Mexico. The race engines not only had to face the heat of 30 degrees Celsius and more but also the extreme altitudes, the highest point being 2,737 metres.
The correct engine mapping was crucial, because the thin air causes a power loss of more than 20 per cent. While a lot of other teams struggled under these conditions, Tidemand’s ŠKODA FABIA R5 was running like clockwork.
The Swedish pairing moved as well into the lead of the WRC2 category standings. Driving his 24th rally within the WRC2 since 2014, Tidemand continued to build up an impressive track record: He finished 19 times on the podium including nine victories, which made him the most successful driver in WRC 2 history.
On Sunday, the final day of Rally Mexico, Tidemand set another two fastest times, totalling 17 stage wins. “I have to thank the whole team for the great support. My ŠKODA FABIA R5 was really fantastic and a pleasure to drive it on these gravel roads,” said Tidemand.
After they hit a stone on the second stage of the rally, 17 years old Rovanperä, set five fastest times on re-start. Rovanperä was happy to finish his first rally for the factory team ŠKODA Motorsport.
“It´s a pity, that we had this mishap on the second stage. But I am happy that the team could repair my car, so that I could continue on Saturday and Sunday to get more valuable experience of the World Rally Championship. For my next WRC rally, I will benefit from what I learnt in Mexico,” commented the Finnish youngster.
“Congratulations to Pontus and Kalle. Between them they set all fastest times of the WRC2 category for ŠKODA, proving speed and reliability at the same time,” emphasized ŠKODA Motorsport boss Michal Hrabánek on the podium in León, the country’s fifth largest city some 400 kms north-west of Mexico City.
Final Result (WRC2): 1. Tidemand/Andersson (SWE/SWE), ŠKODA FABIA R5; 2. Greensmith/Parry (GBR/GBR), Ford Fiesta R5; 3. Heller/Olmos (CHL/ARG), Ford Fiesta R5; 4. Bulacia Wilkinson/Mussano (BOL/ARG), Ford Fiesta R5; 5. Rovanperä/Halttunen (FIN/FIN), ŠKODA FABIA R5.
Current WRC2 standings (after 3 of 13 rounds): 1. Tidemand (ŠKODA), 43 points; 2. Kopecký (ŠKODA) and Katsuta (Ford), 25 points; 4. Greensmith (Ford) und Sciessere (Citroën), 18 points.
SKODA AUTO Press Release
