The crews with Škoda cars once again showed the power of these RC2 cars, this time at the Croatia Rally. The drivers with Škoda cars took five of the first ten positions. Gus Greensmith and Jonas Andersson were the highest ranking in the RC2 class, but this time they did not have a rally entered in the WRC2 category points. In this category, Pepe López and David Vázquez were the best crew with a Škoda car.
The British-Swedish duo once again proved their speed, with the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 among the fastest in the RC2 class and had ambitions to get at least a podium finish. However, this goal was ruined on Saturday by a puncture which dropped the pair Gus Greensmith/Jonas Andersson duo from third to fourth place in the standings. On Sunday, the crew made up for the loss, but they were still 0.3 seconds off third place at the finish.
But Gus Greensmith can be satisfied with the result. He has once again proven his speed and ability to fight for the top positions and therefore the WRC2 title. Considering that he did not score any points in Croatia this time, he does not have to be the least unhappy about the unfortunate turnout. "If it wasn't for the punctures, the weekend would have been good," Gus Greensmith assessed the rally.
In the WRC2 category, Pepe López/David Vázquez were the highest scoring crew, gaining fifteen points for third place. However, Rally Croatia was a tough test for them, as it was their first participation in this event and the pair were actually getting familiar with the broken asphalt sections. "We're happy, it's good for the championship," said Pepe López, assessing the result.
Four more crews with Fabia RS Rally2 and Fabia Rally2 evo finished in the top ten of the WRC2 category. The Norwegian duo of Eyvind Brynildsen/Jørn Listerud last competed in the WRC almost two years ago and this time finished fifth in a Toksport WRT car. The Finnish duo of Lauri Joona/Janni Hussi from TGS Worldwide finished sixth and the Italians Roberto Daprà/Luca Guglielmetti brought their Fabia Rally2 evo from ACI Italia to the finish in seventh place. Ninth position in the WRC2 category went to the German pairing of Armin Kremer/Ella Kremer.
The father and daughter duo also claimed victory in the WRC Masters Cup category for drivers over 50 years of age. For Kremer, it was the third Croatian triumph in a row in this category. Behind the Kremer family duo in this category were the pair of Ricardo Triviño/Diego Fuentes Vega (Electrolit Racing Team) and Mauro Miele/Luca Beltrame (DreamOne Racing).
The next event that awaits us in the World Rally Championship series is Rally Portugal (May 9th - May 12th 2024). Every year it is, with its demanding gravel tracks full of dust and stones, a real test of endurance not only for the crews, but especially for the cars themselves. And we can't wait to see how the crews and the Škoda cars will perform!
