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WRC 2 in Germany: Tidemand clinches title

Pontus Tidemand won the WRC 2 title after finishing third in the championship's leading support category at ADAC Rallye Deutschland on sunday.

Eric Camilli claimed victory on the four-day asphalt event in Saarland, ending Skoda Motorsport's 12-rally winning run. However, Tidemand's podium at the wheel of a Fabia R5 also helped seal the WRC 2 teams' title for the Czech squad.

Camilli began the final leg with a comfortable advantage over long-time leader Jan Kopecký, whose lead was wiped out when he suffered a puncture on Saturday afternoon.

The Frenchman eased through the short final leg in Saarland to bring his Ford Fiesta R5 to the Bostalsee finish 48.1sec clear of Kopecký. Tidemand, who also dropped time with a puncture yesterday, finished 1min 02.6sec behind his team-mate.

"We've worked very hard and the team has prepared very well before every rally. They've been putting all efforts there to take this title. That we managed to do it with one rally to go is very good," said Tidemand, who has his sights set on a World Rally Car drive.

"Soon, it should be time to take this step up. We will see. We'll just keep working hard and need to get the chance," he added.

Gus Greensmith retired with a damaged radiator in his Fiesta, allowing Quentin Gilbert to inherit fourth in a Skoda Fabia R5. Pierre-Louis Loubet was fifth but the Corsican cut it fine, as Simone Tempestini closed to within 1.9sec in the final stage.

Teemu Suninen was the only driver to harbour serious hopes of denying Tidemand. Punctures cost the Finn more than two minutes yesterday and after passing Gilbert this morning, he dropped to seventh after his Fiesta slithered into a muddy ditch.

Zdroj: wrc.com