This first day of Rally Latvia 2024 has come to an end. Oliver Solberg took an early lead on the day. Find out all you need to know below.
Shakedown
Oliver Solberg set the fastest time on the shakedown stage in the WRC2 class. As the “almost Latvian” driver set a time 0.7 seconds faster than Fabrizio Zaldivar and Josh McErlean who tied for second fastest. Mikko Heikklä finished fourth fastest on the Rally Latvia 2024 shakedown stage, with a time 0.6 seconds slower than Zaldivar and McErlean. Miguel Zaldivar rounded out the top five in the WRC2 class on the shakedown stage. Finishing with a time 0.1 seconds slower than Heikklä.
SS1, Bikernieki Track
Oliver Solberg kicked off Rally Latvia 2024 with a stage win. As the two-time event winner posted a time 7.6 seconds faster than Roberto Daprà to take an early lead. Emil Lindholm finished third fastest on the opening stage, 8.9 seconds slower than Solberg and 1.3 seconds slower than Darpà. Josh McErlean set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Lindholm. Fabrizio Zaldivar rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.5 seconds slower than McErlean.
What To Expect From Rally Latvia 2024 Day Two
The second day of Rally Latvia 2024 will see drivers contest 120.92 km across 7 special stages. Unlike other events, 5 of the day’s 7 stages will be different. As only the 4.99 km Milzkalne stage and the 27.56 km Tukums stage will be run twice. They will serve as SS2/5 and SS3/6 respectively. The day features no midday service, only a tire fitting zone. Meaning drivers will have to attempt to limit the damage to their cars as much as possible. There will be a 47-minute service to end the day off. Sami Pajari will be the first of the WRC2 drivers on the road, followed by Oliver Solberg and Nikolay Gryazin.