Rok Turk best started a new season
The Rally in the Vipava Valley, the first station of the new season of the national championship, was won by the national champion defender Rok Turk (Hyundai i20 rally2). After nine speed trials of the rally in the vicinity of Ajdovščina and Vipava, he celebrated with 25 seconds of riding ahead of the former champion Mark Grossi (Citroen C3 Rally2). Turk thus confirmed the dominance in the Slovenian territory in the rally, which has been interrupted by Grossi with the only title so far. Turk came to a total of his seventh career title last year.
The defender of the title was best started by the Vipava Valley rally on Friday, when in Ajdovščina it was only a superspecial on the city streets. As early as Friday, Grossi proved to be the most dangerous rival, the third was Jan Medved (Hyundai i20 rally2).
After the racers were still much together, the differences were slightly larger on Saturday. But at least between the first two, the first battle of the distance took place for a long time, as Turk had only four or six seconds of advantage for some time, and after the morning part of the competition, 14. Grossi was still threatening, only in the penultimate « rapid » of the day, Turk managed to increase a slip slightly, bringing more than 20 seconds to the last test.
It was also a sharp fight for third place. It was involved in the young trump card Medved and Mark Škulj (Citroen C3 Rally2). The latter replaced the racing car before the new season and now runs a stronger car, but this time most of the race was driving just behind the bear in fourth place. Prior to the last act, the difference between them was three seconds in favor of the bear, but Škulj then reached a better time in the last « rapid » (only Turk before him), and in the end only decided, only a tenth, in the sum of the rally, finally defeating the rival and thus securing third place.
More than a hundred crews participated in the rally, including 57 from Slovenia. The entire competitive rally length was 87.9 km, and lovers of this sport were able to enjoy the classic speed trials on Slovenian roads, such as HP Žablje, Predmeja and Planina.
“The Vipava Valley is ours! After Friday’s dominant ride on Superspecial, we transferred positive energy to Saturday. With a complete focus from start to destination, we made our start this season’s great start and won with a 25.4 seconds advantage. Thank you to all of you who are on this racing journey, and special praise goes to many fans who have provided a unique atmosphere along the line, « said DP Turk’s first station on social networks.
The season will continue in 14 days, when Rasa Velenje is waiting.
