The ‘trade’ has not been forgotten Jan Solans. The former junior world champion has returned to the wheel with force, since he has prevailed in the Sierra Morena Rally. In his debut behind the wheel of a Skoda Fabia, he has surprised everyone with his performance and has triumphed again, something that has not happened since Pozoblanco in October 2021. Of course, he has had fierce competition from the Hyundais of Pepe López and Iván Ares, who have not let him breathe in the entire test.
The opening round of the 2023 Spanish Championship began on Thursday with victory for López in the qualifying section and with an emotional start ceremony celebrating the 40th anniversary of the event. It was Ares who took the lead in the first section, in which the ‘give and take’ began with Solans, always with López on the lookout. The current champion of Spain took over from his brand partner in the fight with a Solans who did not let them take away the victory. The Catalan has not closed his program, but he will run in the next two rounds of the Spanish Championship in Lorca and Pozoblanco.
The one who got off the hook from that fight is ‘Rocket’ Suárez, who is having a hard time adapting to his new Skoda. He finished fourth, just ahead of Javier Pardo who in his debut with the Hyundai suffered a puncture that slowed him down. The most outstanding ‘rookie’ finished behind, Óscar Palomo, who finished in sixth position ahead of the other young man, Diego Ruiloba. Surhayen Pernía was forced to abandon after suffering an accident.
Sergi Pérez achieved victory in the Junior Scholarship, Carlos Rodríguez prevailed in the Renault Clio Trophy and Hugo Rodríguez in the Dacia Sandero Cup. The next appointment will be on land, in the Lorca Rally, which will take place after Easter, on April 14 and 15.
Classification
1. Solans-Sanjuán (Skoda Fabia), 1h 42m 00.0s
2. López-Rozada (Hyundai i20), at 19.2
3. Ares-Painter (Hyundai i20), at 35.6
4. Suárez-Iglesias (Skoda Fabia), at 46.8
5. Pardo-Perez (Hyundai i20 N), at 3:14.1
Spain Championship
1 Jan Solans, 37 points
2. Pepe Lopez, 31
3. Ivan Ares, 30
4. Jose Antonio Suarez, 25
5. Javier Pardo, 23
