FIA RALLY STAR ROMET JÜRGENSON GAINS CRUCIAL EXPERIENCE DESPITE CHALLENGING WRC2 TARMAC DEBUT

Romet Jürgenson and co-driver Siim Oja confronted a steep studying curve at Rally Islas Canarias, as their FIA Rally Star marketing campaign continued on asphalt. The Estonian crew have been compelled to retire early on Friday after a tempo notice error led to an off on Particular Stage 1. Though the harm was minor, the automobile grew to become caught and the pair have been unable to proceed on Friday. Restarting on Saturday, Jürgenson and Oja accomplished the occasion and gathered precious expertise on what was their first all-Tarmac rally within the WRC2 class.

Regardless of the early setback, the pair steadily constructed tempo over the weekend’s remaining levels, culminating in a measured run to the end and inspiring occasions throughout the occasion’s second half.

“Yeah, we ended up in a barrier mainly on the primary stage,” defined Jürgenson. “We didn’t get to do the complete day, which actually hit our confidence. It was troublesome to get going once more, however Saturday helped us discover a rhythm, and by Sunday—particularly on the second cross and the Energy Stage—I felt fairly okay. There’s nonetheless so much to study, however we acquired inside a second per kilometre of the highest occasions, which is one thing to construct on.”

Rally Islas Canarias marked Jürgenson’s second aggressive outing on Tarmac in a Rally2 automobile, and his first on pure circuit-style asphalt. Whereas the outcome wasn’t what the crew had hoped for, the rally served its developmental objective inside the FIA Rally Star programme.

“We knew once we added Canarias to their calendar that it will be a troublesome one,” stated FIA Rally Star Mission Chief Jérôme Roussel. “The objective wasn’t outcomes—it was to achieve expertise on a floor that was utterly new to them. They have been taken out of their consolation zone by design, they usually responded properly. As soon as the preliminary mistake was behind them, they confirmed maturity by ending the occasion cleanly and studying stage by stage. Now they’ve this sort of high-speed Tarmac expertise of their library, which is a key a part of their progress.”

Among the many weekend’s highlights was a robust exhibiting on the tremendous particular stage, the place Jürgenson impressively outpaced Rally1 contender Thierry Neuville—one in every of a number of moments of promise that hinted at his rising potential.

“That was a pleasant shock not less than,” he stated. “The automobile fits that sort of stage, and it was enjoyable to see our identify up there. Nonetheless, I’m not absolutely proud of my total tempo but—however this was simply my second Tarmac rally with the Fiesta Rally2, and the primary of this kind. So, realistically, I believe we’re in a great place. We learnt so much, particularly about how a lot nook pace you possibly can carry, and easy methods to adapt our tempo notes between passes.”

Wanting forward, Jürgenson is happy to return to his most popular floor—gravel—for the upcoming Vodafone Rally de Portugal.

“Gravel is the place I really feel at dwelling. I’m wanting ahead to it. I believe with the staff round me and what I’ve already learnt on Tarmac, we will get one of the best out of the automobile and actually push our efficiency.”

Rally Islas Canarias could not have delivered the outcome the Estonian duo have been aiming for, however the expertise gained—and the teachings learnt—will show very important as their 2025 WRC2 season continues.

To search out out extra in regards to the FIA Rally Star programme, go to https://www.fia.com/fia-rally-star and observe @FIARallyStar on social media.