There was another event win for one of MML Sports’ Mitsubishi Lancer WRC05 World Rally Cars this weekend, when Mark van Eldik took victory on the Nederland Rally. The local driver was competing on his third event in the WRC05 and like the previous two, set a string of fastest times and with no problems, took the event win with a margin of more than one minute.
Van Eldik laid down the gauntlet early, claiming the stage win on the first timed test by three seconds. On the second stage, he was joint fastest with a 2006 Ford Focus WRCar and second fastest on the third stage.
However, on the fourth stage of the day, the Ford slid off the road and out of contention, losing four minutes while getting back on the road. From that point on, van Eldik controlled the event from the front and posted top three stage times on the remainder of the tests, establishing a pace fast enough to ensure victory but without taking any risks.
Commenting on the weekend, MML Sports Managing Director John Easton said; “We’re delighted that Mark was able to take his first outright win on only his second proper rally in the MML Sports Mitsubishi Lancer WRC05. This weekend was a difficult rally, as the conditions meant that the stages were wet in places and dry in others, with differing levels of grip as a result.
“However, Mark found the perfect rhythm in the car, saying it gave him confidence in those conditions. He likes it so much that he is now planning another event in Germany next weekend and we hope he can have the same success there.”
While van Eldik will not be able to compete on the final round of the Dutch Rally Championship, Easton hopes to run another Lancer WRC05 on that event.
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