Rally Liepaja :: Sirmacis: “I know that a lot is expected from me in Rally Liepāja!”

September 8, 2016

Ninth round of the FIA European Rally Championship, “Rally Liepāja”, is set to take place in Latvia from September 16 to 18. In this event, the Liepāja region roads will be taken over by the best European Rally Championship drivers, including three crews representing “Sports Racing Technologies” (SRT) – Ralfs Sirmacis/Artūrs Šimins, Raul Jeets/Andrus Toom and, competing in the ERC Junior Championship, Nikolay Gryazin/Yaroslav Fedorov.

- Ralfs Sirmacis / Artūrs Šimins ©Sven Kollus

In total, more than 40 crews will contest “Rally Liepāja”. There are a lot of expectations for local driver R.Sirmacis, who will head into this round looking to score some valuable ERC championship points. With 79 points, he is currently third in the championship. Just 11 points ahead sits Alexey Lukyanuk, with whom Latvian fans are very familiar, while the current championship leader, Kajetan Kajetanowicz, has 166 points.

R.Sirmacis: “After the unlucky event in Czech Republic, I have looked at the onboard video multiple times and have analysed the mistakes, so that we can do our best in Liepāja. Our only objective is a victory! The last time I competed in the Kurzeme region on gravel was in 2014, so quite a bit of time has passed. Even though I am a local driver, it will be interesting to return to these roads after this long break. I am not very nervous before the start, and am currently focusing on preparation for the event. Of course, I understand that this is the one event in ERC where a lot is expected from me, since it is my home round. There is some added pressure, as there will be a lot more of my fans lining the stages this time. I will do my best to make them happy and come away with a victory!”

R.Jeets, the other “SRT” driver, is also in good spirits before the Latvian round of ERC: “Rally Liepāja” is definitely one of my favourite rally events. I always enjoy events taking place here in Latvia – the roads are great and organizers have always done everything at the highest level. I am eagerly awaiting the start in Liepāja!”

N.Gryazin/Y.Fedorov will also be contesting “Rally Liepāja”, doing so in a Peugeot 208 and fighting for a victory in ERC Junior Championship.