Kofler/Gaioni win in Canada to take the lead in the world championship

Fuzzy Kofler and Franco Gaioni from the Audi Autotest Motorsport Team from Lana won the 8th stage in the FiA E-Rally in Québec on Thursday (local time).

Kofler/Gaioni are currently the measure of all things: Three weeks after winning the e-rally in the Czech Republic, the duo chalked up their next victory of the season in Canada. At the E-Efficacité du Québec Rally, Kofler/Gaioni crossed the line first ahead of defending champions Malga/Bonnel and local heroes Pham/Leontowich. The second car from the Audi Autotest Motorsport Team with Guido Guerrini and Emanuele Calchetti finished fifth. The world championship leader Artur Prusak came 12th and so did not get into the points. That was bitter for the Polish pilot: He also relinquished the lead in the overall standings to Kofler as a result. “It’s indescribable. The race was extremely tough

and had many unknowns,” said Gaioni after the triumph.

It is the third win of the season for the Audi Autotest Motorsport Team: Guerrini/Calchetti won in Switzerland and Kofler/Gaioni in the Czech Republic and now in Canada. “Compliments to the whole team. We worked very well and it was the right decision to travel to Canada on the Sunday and prepare for the contest professionally,” declared team principal Josef Unterholzner. One dicey aspect of the race: Sections of the 300 kilometers between Saint-Jérome and Trois-Riviére had crossings with traffic lights and stretches on the motorway. “Of course, there was also a bit of luck involved, but you need that in sport,” says Unterholzner, whose team now leads in the pilot’s, co-driver’s and manufacturer’s championships.

And it does not have much time for celebration: The next stage of the FIA Electric and New Energy Championship will be staged in Reykjavik (Iceland) from August 22 through 24.