Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution driver Xavier Pons had climbed to a fighting second place in the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship after the first leg of the Rally of Turkey, the fourth round of the 2005 series. Making full use of his Lancer Evolution, Pons has recorded a number of fastest stage times and with the top five covered by less than two minutes, an enthralling battle is by no means decided.
Competitors were braced for a grueling day in the Taurus Mountains in southern Turkey, but found the 148.14 kilometers of stages west of Kemer were treacherously unpredictable as well, thanks mainly to heavy rain before the start. Some parts of the route were so muddy that they could only be traversed with difficulty and numerous rocks littered the narrow, twisty stages, causing plenty of punctures. A cloudburst late in the afternoon interrupted hot sunshine, adding still further to the challenge, as the roads turned into streams in places.
Pons was eager to exploit his Lancer Evolution`s performance, only to lose time stopping to change a puncture in the morning. A stirring fight-back, even after gearbox problems, earned him second overnight.
“We could have been leading without this bad luck, but it was better to stop and not damage the car,” he said. “The afternoon was much better. We really attacked and now we are in a good position. There is still a long way to go and the car is perfect, so I think we can still win.”
Japan`s Fumio Nutahara is in seventh place in the PWRC and in a position to add to his points tally, despite also stopping to change a puncture on his Lancer Evolution. He has also set impressive stage times on his first visit to Turkey.
“It`s a very difficult rally. In places it is incredibly slippery and always there are many rocks, so it is easy to make a mistake. We will keep on trying. Many things can still happen,” Nutahara said.
Italian Angelo Medeghini is fighting hard to climb the order in his Lancer Evolution after a number of setbacks, including a puncture and a minor problem with his engine. He is 12th in the category. “It is a new rally for me and every stage is an adventure. I hope we can come home with a good result. Anything is possible at the moment,” Medeghini stated.
The second leg heads back into the Taurus Mountains and is a fraction longer, with seven stages covering 150.48 kilometers.



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