Audi Autotest Motorsport Team triumphs in Slovenia

Fuzzy Kofler and Franco Gaioni from South Tyrol returned from the FiA E-Rally in Slovenia with their hands full. First place on the tenth stage of the FIA Electric and New Energy Championship means the duo is back at the top of the overall standings.

The third staging of the MAHLE Eco Rally in Nova Gorica on Thursday and Friday saw the Audi Autotest Motorsport Team from Lana romp to a magnificent success by capturing first and third spots. The winners Kofler/Gaioni were in second after the first day of trials and then produced a flawless performance on the final day to finish first. The second pair from the Audi Autotest Motorsport Team, Guido Guerrini/Emanuele Calchetti, finished third and so likewise won a place on the podium. The reigning world champions Malga/Bonnel (FRA) came second, whereas Prusak/Benchetrit – the world championship leaders going into the rally – could not manage better than sixth and so relinquished their lead in the pilot’s and co-driver’s championships to Kofler/Gaioni with three races remaining.

“We prepared for the race very well and were hell bent on regaining the overall lead in all three categories,” stated Franco Gaioni afterwards. “The boys were just brilliant. Now we have to stay focused on the finale to the season,” was how team principal Josef Unterholzner defined the strategy moving ahead. Unterholzner’s declared goal is to capture the world titles in the pilot’s, co-driver’s and manufacturer’s championships. The Audi Autotest Motorsport Team currently has a commanding lead in the latter.

The next port of call in the FiA E-Rally series is the Eco Rally Bilbao-Petronor in the Basque Country (Spain) from October 11 to 13.