TAC Rally : Fiesta Sporting Trophy - FinishThe first round of the Fiesta Sporting Trophy 2007 has given its verdict at the end of a TAC Rally of Tielt which was the occasion to realize that the season should be very enthralling for the "Fordists." This first event also
resulted in a win that confirmed the aptitudes of the TACB Rally Contest prizewinner.
As expected, 14 Fiesta Sporting Trophy crews took off from Tielt on Saturday morning, all eager to cover the 16 special stages on the program for this second event of the 2007 season of Belgian rallies.
Things were discovered very rapidly. Firstly, the newcomers were in the mix right from the start. Secondly, according to the opinion of the "veterans," the pace was higher than last year's. Lastly, the gaps between the different crews remained very tight. Overall, a series of details that make for a promising and disputed season.
Qualities which would prevail for this Rally of Tielt, as was apparent from the very start. At the end of the 9.4 km of Schuiferskapelle, the first eight Fiesta STs were within 6"6. The five quickest drivers were within… 1"4. If the Sun seemed to remain shy for this Easter Saturday, the day was warming up nonetheless.
For his first stage within the Fiesta Sporting Trophy, Anthony Martin signed the scratch for SS1, but Frederik Verstraete would then take the lead before Ferdi Perneel would do the same during the third loop. With the finish looming in sight, Ferdi committed a mistake and hit a pylon - no harm done, but enough to call it quits.
Verstraete took over again only to suffer cold sweats, with Martin catching up to him fast and setting himself one second behind just before the last timed stage. He would end the day less than a second away.
After so many vexations last season, Verstraete finally won a rally in front of the promising Anthony Martin and current champion Berte Coene, who was once again quite regular.
But the good news of this week-end is the rising power and popularity of the Trophy launched by
Ford and the attraction it has been developing upon the public. With things starting out as they have, followers will not be disappointed this season.
On to Wallonia, 27-28-29 April!
Source Ford Fiesta Sporting Trophy
