Galatariotis and Al-Attiyah battle for the win at the 51st Cyprus Rally
On Saturday (19/10), spectators were on their toes as Simos Galatariotis in a Volkswagen Polo GTi R5 and Nasser Al-Attiyah in a Skoda Fabia R5 battled for the lead at the 51st Cyprus Rally.
Both top drivers won three special stages each, with the Cypriot champion ending the first day in the lead, 38 seconds ahead of the driver from Qatar, who lost time due to two flat tires during the first loop. At the end of the morning loop, Galatariotis was ahead by 49.9 seconds, but Nasser won two of the three afternoon stages, closing the gap.
There is also a close battle for third place between Petros Panteli (Renault Clio Rally3) and Panagiotis Yiangou (Hyundai i20 R5), with 17.1 seconds separating them, a gap that Panteli built during the last stage of the day, which is also the longest of the race (21.22 km).
Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari (Qatar) is in fifth place, driving conservatively in his Skoda Fabia R5, as all he needs is to finish in order to be crowned Middle East champion for the first time in his career. In contrast, Al-Attiyah needs a combination of results to secure his 20th Middle East Championship title.
Rashid Al-Muhannadi, also from Qatar and driving a Skoda Fabia, is in sixth place.
Giorgos Nestoros, with a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, is seventh and leads the MERC 2 category, while first in the 2WD category is Zacharias Manoli (Peugeot 208), who is running in eighth place.
Out of the 20 crews that started, 15 completed the first leg, while the other five will return on Sunday (20/10) under SupeRally. One of the most significant retirements was that of the Jordanian title contender Shaker Jweihan, who faced problems with the gearbox and brakes of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX he rented from Cyprus before even entering the first special stage, as his car remained in Lebanon. In the third special stage, while in fifth place, Costas Zenonos retired in his Citroen DS3.
On Sunday, October 20, the action will take place in the areas of Skarinou, Lefkara, Lythrodontas, and Yeri, with the race concluding with the Visit Qatar Power Stage in Yeri at 15:43. The Power Stage is being introduced for the first time in the championship and awards five points to the winner, four to the second place, and so on.
The finish and crowning of the new Middle East Champion will take place at 17:30 in Spyridaki Square, on Makarios Avenue, in the center of Nicosia.
The 51st Cyprus International Rally is sponsored by the Qatar tourism organization "Visit Qatar," Psaltis Auto Parts, ENEOS Motor Oil, Sparco, Cablenet, Farmakas Natural Spring Water, ANCO Catering Equipment, and Stop Fire.
Supporters include the Municipality of Nicosia, Kapnos Airport Shuttle, and the Jeep Club Cyprus.
THE ITINERARY
Sunday, October 20
- SS 7: Doryforikos – 12.40 km – 8:58
- SS 8: Lefkara – 19.78 km – 9:41
- SS 9: Yeri – 9.63 km – 11:04
- Service (30 minutes) – 11:54
- SS 10: Doryforikos 2 – 12.40km – 13:07
- SS 11: Lefkara 2 – 19.78 km – 13:50
- SS 12: Visit Qatar Power Stagr (YerI) – 9.63 km – 15:43
- Ceremonial Finish – 17:30
SPECIAL STAGE RESULTS
SS 1 – Xyliatos (8.12 km)
1. Al-Attiyah
2. Galatariotis + 3.7
3. P. Panteli + 24.6
SS 2 – Kapouras (19.99 km)
1. Galatariotis
2. Al-Attiyah + 38.5
3. P. Yiangou + 1:06.1
SS 3 – Kourdali (21.22 km)
1. Galatariotis
2. Al-Attiyah + 15.1
3. P. Yiangou + 1:03.3
SS 4 – Xyliatos 2 (8.12 km)
1. Al-Attiyah
2. Galatariotis + 11.0
3. P. Yiagkou + 24.6
SS 5 – Kapouras 2 (19.99 km)
1. Al-Attiyah
2. Galatariotis + 4.4
3. P. Yiangou + 50.2
SS 6 – Kourdali 2 (21.22 km)
1. Galatariotis
2. Al-Attiyah + 3.5
3. P. Panteli + 50.6