Ralliart Italy Rally de Espana Day Two‏

Guerra in control

Mexico’s Benito Guerra had another good day today at Rally de Espana. He and Spanish co-driver Borja Rozada navigated their Ralliart Italy-run Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X to a lead in the Group N category of more than four and half minutes by the overnight halt.

Aside from a few nagging gearbox troubles, it was plain sailing for Guerra as he successfully won every stage in his category with the exception of SS9, the closing test of the day. A spin followed by a small impact cost him over 30 seconds on the short Salou stage. However, he was still able to return to evening service ready for his car to be converted from asphalt to gravel set-up with a very healthy margin over his competitors.

It’s one year since Guerra competed in a Mitsubishi on gravel, so he aims to take it stage-by-stage on the final day of the event tomorrow. That said, having grown up rallying on gravel roads, he hopes to show his real speed before the close of Day Three: “I want to remind everyone what I can do and Rally de España seemed the perfect showcase, because of its mixed-surface itinerary. We’re working hard to share rallying and the world of the WRC with the people at home, promoting what I believe is a great sport. It’s really nice to do that with Borja and Ralliart Italy, my old team. Last year when we won the Production car World Rally Championship here, I felt like we were stronger when we worked together and I’m sure of the same thing now!”

Ralliart Italy Team Manager Bruno De Pianto is impressed, but not surprised, by Guerra’s strong performance: “Benny’s always been a good driver. Despite growing up on gravel, he immediately showed speed and precision on Tarmac from when he first came to the WRC. Rally de España is the perfect event to show everyone his versatility and consistently strong performance. To have a lead of more than four and a half minutes in the Group N category heading into Day Three is a luxury that no driver would turn down. Let’s hope Benny and Borja can keep up the good work tomorrow.”


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