ON RALLY AZORES IN 208 R2
Fantastic performance rewarded with success, maximum ERC Junior points and the prestigious Colin McRae ERC Flat Out Trophy tooPEUGEOT UK’s young rally driver built on an early lead to win first ERC gravel rally of the seasonERC Junior podium 1-2-3 lock out for PEUGEOT 208 ‘R2’, while PEUGEOT 208 T16 takes overall victory in the hands of ERC series leader Craig Breen
PEUGEOT UK’s rising rally star Chris Ingram fought off a stomach bug on the final day of SATA Rallye Açores (4-6 June) to score a magnificent maiden victory in the FIA European Junior Rally Championship in his PEUGEOT 208 ‘R2’ rally car.
Co-driven by Gabin Moreau, the talented 20-year-old Manchester-based driver knew that the 17 twisty and narrow gravel stages on the mid-Atlantic island of São Miguel, plus the rivalry of the fastest up and coming young drivers from around Europe, would pose a big challenge, but Ingram didn’t expect a stomach bug would also be a threat to his attempt at victory.
Ingram started round three of the ERC Junior championship well, initially holding third position in the PEUGEOT UK, PEUGEOT Financial Services and TOTAL Lubricants supported 208, before taking the lead on the last stage of day one (SS3). He was never to lose that lead, although it was far from a simple run to the finish. Day two contained the event’s signature stage, Sete Cidades – one of rallying’s most spectacular tests of speed and distance, as part of it runs around the rim of an extinct volcano. Ingram survived a high speed brush with the scenery, which bent the steering of his 208, but such was his pace that he still set second best time over the famous stage and even extended his lead! By the end of day two, Ingram led ERC Juniors by a healthy 22.4 seconds.
Ingram feared he might not be well enough to start the third and final day of the rally, after sickness and stomach cramps had kept him awake all night. Not only did he start, but a pale and fatigued Ingram even extended his lead on the day’s opening stage with another fastest time (his third in a row) – despite the additional problems of having to drive through dense fog and with a slow puncture.
In the hot and humid conditions, the final afternoon loop of three stages were a true test of Ingram’s physical and mental strength and, despite struggling to stay awake at times, he held on to win the hotly-contested ERC Junior category for the first time by 30.4 seconds – having set a total of five fastest stage times. For his extraordinary efforts, he was also awarded with the prestigious Colin McRae ERC Flat Out Trophy, which was presented to him by the former Sporting Director of PEUGEOT, and now ERC Sporting Manager, Jean-Pierre Nicolas.
PEUGEOT 208 ‘R2’ rally cars locked out the ERC Junior podium in the Azores, with Portugal’s Diogo Gago finishing second and Norway’s Steve Røkland finishing third. Not only that, Irishman Craig Breen scored his third ERC overall win-in-a-row in his PEUGEOT Rally Academy 208 T16, to extend his lead in the Drivers’ series.
Speaking at the finish of Rally Azores in Ponta Delgada, Chris commented: “This year’s Rally Azores was such a tough event, a lot more difficult than I’d ever imagined it would be. There were six or seven drivers who were really quick, setting top times and with a serious chance of winning, so it was a really good fight. It just goes to show how competitive the ERC Junior championship is when you have so many drivers fighting for victory.
“We came here to win, and I’m delighted with not only our result, but our overall performance throughout the three days of competition. Even when we had a massive ‘off’ on the Sete Cidades stage, as soon as we knew we didn’t have a puncture, we were flat out again. I really had a lot of confidence in myself and the car, to push hard on every stage, yet without taking unnecessary risks.
“The night before the final day of competition was awful, as I was up all night feeling unwell. I really didn’t think I was going to be able to start the next morning, because I felt so weak. But I kept on pushing. We increased our lead to 43.7 seconds, but then the final afternoon loop of stages was a real struggle, and the heat and fatigue were starting to get to me. I felt so ill, that I almost fell asleep queuing for the start of SS15, and Steve Røkland took over 22 seconds off me in seven and a half miles, so I knew that I just had to pull myself together and use energy I didn’t think I had if I was going to hold on and win.
“I’m absolutely delighted to have won in the Azores, and I want to thank my dad for getting me this far and for PEUGEOT UK for having belief in me. This victory is for them. This win is the start of a new beginning!”
Chris is currently sitting in second place of the FIA European Rally Championship- Juniors with 74 points, hot on the heels of Emil Berkvist (Sweden) who takes the lead with 98 points in the overall standings.
PEUGEOT 208 R2 RALLY CAR
The PEUGEOT 208 rally car is constructed to ERC competition specification R2 and designed to be an affordable competitive start in professional rallying. Produced by PEUGEOT Sport, it features a styled design derived from the popular road-going 208 with evolutionary styling – with short overhangs and a flowing transition between the bonnet and windscreen pillars, emphasizing the latest 208 design.
Compared to the 207 it replaced, the 208's body-shell is around 40kg lighter while a longer wheelbase improves stability with a lower centre of gravity to boost the vehicle's road-holding capabilities – an important feature in a competition-class rally car.
Safety hasn't been sacrificed, despite the reduced weight: the 208 R2 boasts a strengthened shell with a multi-point welded roll cage – a new manufacturing process for roll cage design and a major safety feature. The 208 R2's engine is a competition version of the 1.6-litre VTi road car engine, naturally-aspirated and producing some 185hp. This modern power-unit comes equipped with variable valve timing (VVT).
The gravel and asphalt versions of the 208 R2 are made available in kit form, including a fully-built engine. Those who prefer something a little less hands-on will also be able to buy the 208 R2 pre-built by PEUGEOT Sport. Kits will be available to convert the gravel version to asphalt, and vice-versa.
Follow @PeugeotRally on Twitter to keep up-to-date with the latest news on Chris Ingram and his rally driving adventure.
Chris Ingram’s key achievements to date◾Won the R2 class in the Rally GB Wales◾Colin McRae ERC Flat Out trophy 2014 Circuit of Ireland Rally – youngest driver to win the accolade◾Entered Junior ERC events in 2014 (finished 2nd in Azores, 3rd in Ypres, Belgium and was leading the UK round in Northern Ireland before crashing out)◾Goodwood Festival of Speed 2013 and 2014 - invited driver◾WRC debut on Wales Rally GB. First in R2 class◾Winner of the 2013 John Easson Award for young rally drivers◾UK Renault Sport R2 Trophy winner 2012 and 2013◾‘MSA Young Driver of the Year 2012’ ‑ first rally driver ever to win the award◾Rally Du Var 2012 – official drive in Renault Clio R3◾2012 youngest driver to score points in the British Rally Championship (aged 17)◾2011 British Junior 1000 Rally Champion – with 7 overall victories
