The next best placed FABIA R5 was that of former British Rally Champion David Bogie. Driving a car prepared and run by CA1 Sport alongside regular co-driver Kevin Rae, Bogie put in one of his best performances at a WRC event to secure his highest ever finish.
In the early parts of the rally, Bogie found himself engaged in a close battle with Eyvind Brynildsen. It was a close battle and the gap was just 2.5 seconds before the Norwegian was forced to retire on special stage 19. That freed Bogie up to try and chase down a podium place in the final stages, but despite taking a victory on the penultimate stage, he was unable to make it onto the podium.
2017 Wales Rally GB
Adrián Díaz wins the Rallye San Froilán on his debut ŠKODA FABIA R5 drive
In Spain, the Rallye San Froilán (27-29 October) was the seventh round of the Galician Rally Series. It saw Adrián Díaz Pérez make his debut in an R5 class car for the Escudería Miño-Lugo team, driving alongside co-driver Andrea Lamas Barragan. And he had his work cut out in a strong field with more than 140 drivers taking part.
Despite making his first start in a ŠKODA FABIA R5, Díaz made no secret of his ambitions to chase the victory at this event beforehand. But despite challenging at the top end of the field, it looked of a long time as if he would fall just short of this goal. Rival Alberto Meira held the lead for the bulk of this rally and while Díaz was always nipping at his heels, it looked as if he wouldn’t make it past. But then, on the final stage, a perfect drive from Díaz and a mistake from Meira saw them switch places and in the end, Díaz took the win by a margin of 16.4 seconds.
It was only the second overall victory of his career and the first since 2014. He will be driving a different car at the Rally de La Nucía-Mediterráneo next weekend. But after this taste of what the FABIA R5 can do, no doubt Díaz will be chomping at the bit to get back the wheel again soon.
Three ŠKODA FABIA R5s in the top 4 at the Critérium des Cévennes
The Critérium des Cévennes (27-28 October) was the eighth and penultimate round of the French Tarmac Rally Championship and saw three ŠKODA FABIA R5s finish in the top 4.
The highest place finisher was Pierre Roché, who finished in second position for Team FJ. Alongside, co-driver Martine Roché, he drove a fast and consistent race, winning one stage, but never finishing lower than fifth throughout.
Roché was engaged in a close battle for second position with fellow Team FJ and FABIA R5 driver Ludovic Gal, who - alongside co-driver Olivier Belot - pushed hard throughout, but Roché defended the position brilliantly and despite victory on the final stage Gal had to content himself with third place by a margin of just 5.4 seconds.
2017 Critérium des Cévennes
The next best placed FABIA R5 was that of former British Rally Champion David Bogie. Driving a car prepared and run by CA1 Sport alongside regular co-driver Kevin Rae, Bogie put in one of his best performances at a WRC event to secure his highest ever finish.
In the early parts of the rally, Bogie found himself engaged in a close battle with Eyvind Brynildsen. It was a close battle and the gap was just 2.5 seconds before the Norwegian was forced to retire on special stage 19. That freed Bogie up to try and chase down a podium place in the final stages, but despite taking a victory on the penultimate stage, he was unable to make it onto the podium.
2017 Wales Rally GB
Adrián Díaz wins the Rallye San Froilán on his debut ŠKODA FABIA R5 drive
In Spain, the Rallye San Froilán (27-29 October) was the seventh round of the Galician Rally Series. It saw Adrián Díaz Pérez make his debut in an R5 class car for the Escudería Miño-Lugo team, driving alongside co-driver Andrea Lamas Barragan. And he had his work cut out in a strong field with more than 140 drivers taking part.
Despite making his first start in a ŠKODA FABIA R5, Díaz made no secret of his ambitions to chase the victory at this event beforehand. But despite challenging at the top end of the field, it looked of a long time as if he would fall just short of this goal. Rival Alberto Meira held the lead for the bulk of this rally and while Díaz was always nipping at his heels, it looked as if he wouldn’t make it past. But then, on the final stage, a perfect drive from Díaz and a mistake from Meira saw them switch places and in the end, Díaz took the win by a margin of 16.4 seconds.
It was only the second overall victory of his career and the first since 2014. He will be driving a different car at the Rally de La Nucía-Mediterráneo next weekend. But after this taste of what the FABIA R5 can do, no doubt Díaz will be chomping at the bit to get back the wheel again soon.
Three ŠKODA FABIA R5s in the top 4 at the Critérium des Cévennes
The Critérium des Cévennes (27-28 October) was the eighth and penultimate round of the French Tarmac Rally Championship and saw three ŠKODA FABIA R5s finish in the top 4.
The highest place finisher was Pierre Roché, who finished in second position for Team FJ. Alongside, co-driver Martine Roché, he drove a fast and consistent race, winning one stage, but never finishing lower than fifth throughout.
Roché was engaged in a close battle for second position with fellow Team FJ and FABIA R5 driver Ludovic Gal, who - alongside co-driver Olivier Belot - pushed hard throughout, but Roché defended the position brilliantly and despite victory on the final stage Gal had to content himself with third place by a margin of just 5.4 seconds.
2017 Critérium des Cévennes
