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ERC JUNIOR DRIVER QUOTES PRE-CIRCUIT OF IRELAND

08.04.16
FIA ERC - 2016 Circuit of Ireland International Rally - Pre-event Junior quotes
ERC Junior, Circuit of Ireland

Dominik Brož (CZE) Born: 10 May 1996 Car: Ford Fiesta R2 Co-driver: Petr Těšínský (CZE)
" It will be my first start in Ireland and second overall abroad, so my target for this rally is to learn brand new stages, gain new experience and finish the rally. The local roads are very specific, different to what I can see in the Czech Republic. We are also doing the recce with steering wheel on the right, which is a new experience for us. To be successful in such a prestigious championship is a project for a few years. I am very happy to be at the start.”

Marco Cid (PRT) Born: 11 April 1990 Car: Peugeot 208 R2 Co-driver: Nuno Rodrigues da Silva (PRT)
“I've seen some videos of previous years and it seems to be a very specific rally. There are many crests and jumps, on narrow roads and not to mention that is always raining. But all this only makes the challenge greater and more attractive to me. Racing in the Canaries was important because it was a test for me outside and inside the car. I got to know some of the Peugeot's potential and we gained some rhythm. My goal is to get the first points in the championship, since it is the first rally of ERC Junior. The events are long and so is the championship, so we will evolve step by step.”

Marijan Griebel (DEU) Born: 18 May 1989 Car: Opel Adam R2 Co-driver: Pirmin Winklhofer (DEU)
"After a great fight with Emil [Bergkvist] and second place last year I associate good memories with the Circuit of Ireland. The treacherous special stages on the narrow but very fast asphalt roads with many crests and jumps leave no room for error. I’m expecting the strongest competition from my Opel colleagues. A podium is a clear objective - preferably a step higher on the podium than last year."

Nikolay Gryazin (LVA) Born: 7 October 1997 Car: Peugeot 208 R2 Co-driver: Yaroslav Federov (RUS)
"We decided to begin ERC Junior as I did a big season last year, my first rally season, and got really big experience with the Peugeot 208 R2. So after many rallies and tests I feel ready to compete with other young fast drivers in Junior series. We go to Ireland in a great mood, in a good shape but everything we know about our competitors is theoretical, we have never met each other face to face. On one hand we have to push on the highest speed we can show, on the other hand, not rush things from the first kilometres and do an effective first event of our ERC season."

Chris Ingram (GBR) Born: 7 July 1994 Car: Opel Adam R2 Co-driver: Katrin Becker (DEU)
“I feel the Circuit of Ireland will be the ideal place for my debut with Opel and to kick off this year's Junior ERC. The Circuit is a legendary event with some of the best stages in Europe, and an awesome atmosphere. I have some great memories from it, especially in 2014 when I became the youngest winner of the Colin McRae Flat Out trophy. After my first test in the incredible Adam R2 and with my new co-driver Kat Becker, I’m confident we have a top package and that we can push for the title starting on the Circuit!”

Łukasz Pieniążek (POL) Born: 19 September 1990 Car: Opel Adam R2 Co-driver: Przemysław Mazur (DEU)
“It will be a special weekend: for the second time I’ll have a chance to compete in the Circuit of Ireland Rally. Thanks to the experience from last year I know what to expect, but I know that our rivals are some of the best drivers in Europe. We will try to attack, but not at any cost. As we know in the Great Britain the weather will be crucial, as it is unpredictable in this region. However, I hope I can choose the right tactic that will lead us to the finish line in a good pace.”

Steve Røkland (NOR) Born: 14 June 1992 Car: Peugeot 208 R2 Co-driver: Patrik Barth (SWE)
“I am really looking forward to the Circuit of Ireland. I did this rally last year and was fourth in ERC Junior before the last stage, but crashed out only a kilometre before the finish. I don’t have much experience on Tarmac, but this is actually my fourth rally in Northern Ireland, so my aim will be a podium place. Unfortunately I do have a small injury in my back after a training camp, but I hope it will be fine when I get into the stage!”

Julius Tannert (DEU) Born: 12 May 1990 Car: Opel Adam R2 Co-driver: Jennifer Thielen (LUX)
"I am really looking forward to it and feel well prepared. On the fast asphalt roads in Northern Ireland I want to deliver a good result and fight for the top places in ERC Junior. My team-mates will raise the bar extremely high. By this we want to measure ourselves."