Qualifying stage took place over 4.61 kilometres in Vārtāja, and gave us a first glimpse of the relative pace of drivers in sunny and warm conditions. Miko Marczyk (Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo) from Poland set the fastest overall time, beating Nikolay Gryazin (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5), who competes with a Latvian Automobile Federation licence, by just 0.433 seconds. Third place in qualifying went to Estonian Georg Linnamae (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5). Alexey Lukyanuk (Citroen C3 Rally2), who won the season opening event Rally Poland, was sixth fastest, behind Fabian Kreim (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5) and Andreas Mikkelsen (Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo).
In ERC2 class, Dmitry Feofanov (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) set the top time, while Latvian driver Ainārs Igaveņš (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) was fourth quickest. In ERC3, Liepāja native Mārtiņš Sesks (Ford Fiesta Rally4) managed to sneak into the top five, completing the stage 1.386 seconds behind Finnish talent Sami Pajari (Ford Fiesta Rally4).
The evening press conference and start position choice took place next to the charming Liepāja beach. Most drivers tried to get the latest possible starting position, with qualifying stage wined Miko Marczyk choosing to be fifteenth, and Nikolay Gryazin starting right before him. Yoann Bonato will be first on the stages tomorrow.
Drivers’ parade served as the conclusion of the first day of the rally. Liepāja inhabitants and city guests had a fantastic opportunity to see the top drivers of the FIA European Rally Championship drive through a route that included important spots in the city – the trolley bridge, Great Amber concert hall, Pētertirgus and Jānis Čakste square, then moving on through Jūrmalas street, Dzintaru street, and Kūrmāja prospect.
FIA European Rally Championship event Rally Liepāja is possible thanks to the support provided by the government of Latvia, rally city Liepāja, as well as Talsi region. Thanks to our sponsors Neste, Ramirent, and SC Grupa/Eurovia, as well as supporters Blue Shock Race, Canon Biznesa Centrs Liepāja, Fristads, Liepājas Olimpiskais Centrs, Liepājas Speciālā Ekonomiskā Zona, and Sixt. Informative support is provided by news media DELFI, and media partners Kurzemes Radio, Sporta Avīze, and Talsu Vēstis. We would also like to thank all Rally Liepāja friends: Flora, FN Serviss, Jānis Pūce, Lofbergs, Kokmuiža Celmlauzis, MB Grupa, Red Bull, SignTech, and Törley. Rally Liepāja is organized with the support of Aizpute, Durbe, Grobiņa, and Priekule region councils. A special thank you goes out to the Latvian Automobile Federation.
All news and information about Rally Liepāja is available online at www.lvrally.com, as well as on social media - Twitter @LVRally, Facebook /LVRally, draugiem.lv /lvrally, YouTube /RallyLiepāja, and Instagram /lvrally.
