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Ingram moves closer to ERC title

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Ingram moves closer to ERC title

Chris Ingram remains on course to become the first British driver to win the FIA European Rally Championship in 50 years, after finishing second on the Cyprus Rally.

Fans supporting a crowdfunding initiative enabled Chris to contest the Cyprus Rally for the first time – and he rewarded them with a faultless performance in his Toksport WRT-prepared ŠKODA Fabia R5.

Co-driven by Ross Whittock, the European Under 27 Champion completed the final stage in third place, but was promoted to second following the disqualification of local crew Simos Galatariotis/Antonios Ioannou (ŠKODA Fabia R5) due to a parc fermé infringement.

This has allowed Ingram to open up an 18 point lead in the series, with only the final Rally Hungary (8-10 November) season decider remaining.

“It's been an incredible rally, probably the most difficult one of my life,” said Chris. “A massive thanks to all the fans and everyone who supported me and helped me get to this rally.

The event was won by Nasser Al-Attiyah, who grabbed a record-extending sixth Cyprus Rally victory. The Qatari driver was guided by Matthieu Baumel in a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5.

Mikko Hirvonen/Jarmo Ottman were third in a Ford Fiesta R5 – the former WRC star making a one-off return to the ERC following a 17-year absence.

Alexey Lukyanuk/Alexey Arnautov (Citroën C3 R5) had looked set for second position, electing to take a steadier approach rather than try to chase after Al-Attiyah. But disaster struck on SS10, when a technical failure ended their challenge.

Ingram, Lukyanuk and Łukasz Habaj (who finished fourth in Cyprus in a ŠKODA Fabia R5) are all in contention for the 2019 ERC drivers’ title.

Chris Ingram and Ross Whittock wear Stilo WRC DES 8860 helmets.

Chris Ingram, Cyprus, Skoda, FIA European Rally Championship