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Pieniążek “still can’t believe” ERC Junior triumph

Łukasz Pieniążek is still coming to terms with his maiden ERC Junior victory in the first round of the the 2016 season on the FIA European Rally Championship's Circuit of Ireland - success he's put down to "months of preparation".

Pieniążek, who was seventh in ERC Junior on the same event last year, defeated some very strong opposition - including a trio of factory-supported Opel drivers - to claim the honours on the opening round of the competition for drivers aged under 27 at the start of the year.

"Although emotions have slowly sunk in I still can not believe in the victory during the Circuit of Ireland," said the young Polish driver. "It was an extraordinary rally, during which apart from the competition with great drivers, we fought also the weather, which was completely unpredictable. On the road it was raining, and a moment later the sun was shining, there was even some hail. Despite all this we were still driving fast.

"The triumph is the result of hard work and many months of solid preparation. It wouldn't be possible without great people around me. Once again I want to thank my family, beloved girlfriend, the whole team and all the fans supporting me during each rally."

The Circuit of Ireland was only Pieniążek's second event in an Opel Adam R2 and with his new co-driver Przemysław Mazur, who added: "Before the season we didn't even dream of winning in ERC Junior, but once again was proved that hard work gives great results."

Zdroj: fiaerc.com