WRC2 Rally Chile Bio Bío 2024: Day 2 Highlights
The second day of the WRC Rally Chile Bio Bío 2024 brought thrilling action and unexpected twists to the World Rally Championship’s WRC2 category. Drivers battled challenging terrain and each other in a fierce competition that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The Stage is Set
Day 2 of the rally saw competitors tackling a diverse range of stages through Chile’s picturesque Bio Bío region. From dusty gravel roads to dense forest tracks, the course tested both driver skill and vehicle endurance.
"This rally is like nothing else on the calendar. The stages here in Chile are incredibly fast and technical," remarked one driver after completing a particularly tricky section.
Top Performers Shine
Several drivers stood out with impressive performances on Day 2:
- Oliver Solberg: The young Norwegian showcased his growing talent with consistently fast stage times.
- Gus Greensmith: Britain’s rising star demonstrated excellent car control on the slippery surfaces.
- Nikolay Gryazin: The Russian driver’s aggressive style paid off with some blistering sector times.
Unexpected Challenges
Not all competitors had a smooth run, however. Mechanical issues and driver errors led to some surprising developments:
- Yohan Rossel suffered a puncture on SS7, costing valuable time.
- Marco Bulacia overshot a junction, narrowly avoiding a crash but losing positions.
- Kajetan Kajetanowicz battled electrical gremlins throughout the afternoon loop.
These setbacks shuffled the leaderboard, adding an extra layer of excitement to the day’s proceedings.
Stage Highlights
SS5 – Rio Claro 1 (23.98 km)
The day kicked off with a bang on the Rio Claro stage. Drivers faced a mix of fast straights and technical corners, with loose gravel making traction a constant challenge.
"You really have to be on your toes here. One moment you’re flat out, the next you’re tiptoeing through a series of hairpins," explained Gus Greensmith.
Oliver Solberg set the pace, showcasing his raw speed and growing confidence in the WRC2 machinery.
SS7 – Imperial 1 (12.52 km)
Imperial 1 proved to be a pivotal stage. Its narrow, twisting nature caught out several drivers:
- Yohan Rossel’s puncture occurred here, dropping him down the order.
- Nikolay Gryazin put in a storming run, clawing back time lost earlier in the day.
- Marco Bulacia’s overshoot happened at a deceptive junction, costing him nearly 20 seconds.
SS9 – Rio Claro 2 (23.98 km)
The second pass of Rio Claro saw changing conditions as the loose surface was swept clear. This benefited the later runners, leading to some shake-ups in the stage times.
Leaderboard After Day 2
Here’s how the top 5 in WRC2 stood at the end of Day 2:
| Position | Driver | Co-Driver | Vehicle | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oliver Solberg | Elliott Edmondson | Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 | 2:23:15.7 |
| 2 | Gus Greensmith | Jonas Andersson | Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 | +12.3s |
| 3 | Nikolay Gryazin | Konstantin Aleksandrov | Citroën C3 Rally2 | +27.8s |
| 4 | Yohan Rossel | Arnaud Dunand | Citroën C3 Rally2 | +1:03.5 |
| 5 | Sami Pajari | Enni Mälkönen | Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 | +1:15.2 |
Looking Ahead to Day 3
With just 12.3 seconds separating the top two, and Gryazin not far behind, the final day of Rally Chile promises to be a nail-biter. The stages on Day 3 include:
- Río Lia (13.34 km)
- Las Pataguas (13.84 km)
- El Ponen (13.86 km)
These shorter, more intense stages will require absolute focus from the drivers. Any mistake could prove costly in the fight for WRC2 victory.
Conclusion
Day 2 of the WRC Rally Chile Bio Bío 2024 delivered excitement, drama, and world-class rallying action. As the WRC2 competitors gear up for the final push, fans can expect an thrilling conclusion to this South American adventure.
Will Oliver Solberg hold onto his lead? Can Gus Greensmith or Nikolay Gryazin mount a last-day charge? The gravel roads of Chile will provide the answer in what’s sure to be a memorable finale to this round of the World Rally Championship.
