KMS Racing’s Tristan Charpentier finished on podium on his ERC debut
Finland-based KMS Racing had a busy weekend with two events across the ”bond” in Sweden and Finland. Whilst the success did not ultimately materialize in Finland, Tristan Charpentier finished finely on a debut podium in ERC Sweden.
The official M-Sport partner in Finland, KMS Racing, competed in two events across the Gulf of Bothnia this weekend. In the town of Karlstadt in Sweden, Tristan Charpentier made his ERC debut by successfully finishing on the podium at the Bauhaus Royal Rally of Scandinavia. In Finland, Raoul Dahlqvist’s SM Pohjanmaa Ralli ended prematurely.
Charpentier and co-driver Florian Barral started their ERC journey by winning the short super special stage on Thursday. During Friday, the battle for the lead was on, but the 22-year-old Frenchman was forced to yield by 3,2 seconds. Saturday was once again a tight battle for the lead with Charpentier winning three of the day’s eight stages, but had to ultimately settle for second place. Overall, Charpentier won seven out of 17 special stages on the fast gravel roads of Sweden.
-It’s always frustrating to be so close to the win and not bring it home, but overall we had good and quite steady pace. This is a good sign for future rallies, and it’s been a great preparation for WRC Finland as well. The team did an amazing job all week long, and now we turn our eyes towards ERC Estonia, Charpentier said.
In the fifth round of Finnish Rally Championship, SM Pohjanmaa Ralli, Raoul Dahlqvist and co-driver Patric Öhman started the rally with sixth and fifth fastest stage times on the Friday’s set of three opening stages. Unfortunately, an off on SS3 cut the 18-year-old’s rally short. Now, the sights have been set towards the second half of the competitive season.
-I’m gutted, but we can only rise and learn from this. A big thank you to the team and our cooperation partners, Dahlqvist stated.
European Rally Championship continues with Delfi Rally Estonia on 5th to 7th of July. The Finnish Rally Championship continues with Future SM Ralli in Lahti in 23th to 24th of July.
Bauhaus Royal Rally of Scandinavia results – ERC3 category:
1. Filip Kohn 1:41:19,4 Ford Fiesta Rally3
2. Tristan Charpentier +11,4 Ford Fiesta Rally3
3. Kerem Kazaz +2:10,0 Ford Fiesta Rally3
4. Igor Widlak +2:54,8 Ford Fiesta Rally3
5. Martin Ravenscak +6:59,2 Ford Fiesta Rally3
Kuva: @World
