– South Racing Can-Am Mavericks finish second and seventh in FIA T3 category
The South Racing Can-Am Team entered two Can-Am Mavericks in Baja Russia Northern Forest, the opening round of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, and both machines reached the finish in second and seventh in the FIA T3 category for lightweight prototype machines.
Spaniard Fernando Alvarez was ably supported by Argentina’s José Luis Diaz and competed in Russia for the first time in his Conarpesa-backed Can-Am. He overcame sub-zero temperatures, icy and snow-covered roads and the use of studded tyres to finish second in the category behind Russia’s Anastasiya Nipontova and earn a useful haul of championship points.
South Racing also ran a Can-Am for Saudi Arabia’s leading female driver Dania Akeel. She came into the new season as the defending T3 World Champion, after a successful campaign in last year’s FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies, and teamed up with Frenchman Laurent Lichtleuchter on this occasion. She reached the finish in seventh place.
South Racing Can-Am Team’s Scott Abraham said: « This was a great start to the 2022 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas. Fernando had a great race and the car performed faultlessly. Dania also got her first experience of the snow in Russia. This was an excellent result for the team and a good start to the season. Now we pack up swiftly and head off to sunnier climes for the Jordan Baja next weekend. »
Alvarez and Akeel completed the opening 15.53km Qualifying Stage at the Igora Sports and Entertainment Complex, near Saint Petersburg, in sixth and ninth positions in the FIA T3 category. Alvarez had to stop and reverse at one point to pass a stricken vehicle.
Akeel said: « It’s really fun to drive in the snow. I missed the first corner and had to reverse and go in. It’s difficult, you know, beginner in the snow. It’s difficult. But, honestly, by the end, I was picking up some more control on the turns. I feel very comfortable with the car and in this really fun and new environment. »
Saturday’s action took place over two stages used three times. The opener ran for 36.05km between Krutaya Gora and Razdolye, with the second 15.53km section taking place within the Igora Drive complex – the largest of its kind in the Russian Federation.
Alvarez delivered a strong performance to reach the night halt in sixth overall and second in the T3 section, with Akeel coming home in seventh.
The longer of Sunday’s two selective sections ran for 116.98km between Romashki and Druzhnoye, while the second one looped around Druzhnoye for 94.10km. Both drivers stayed clear of major issues, despite snow flurries and reduced visibility, to reach the ceremonial finish in useful points-scoring positions.
Support for the South Racing Can-Am Team came from Method Wheels, Tensor Tires, Motul, Bell, Jjuan Brake Systems, Lazer and OMP.
2022 Baja Russia Northern Forest – FIA T3 final standings:
1. Anastasiya Nipontova (RUS)/Ekatrina Zhadanova (RUS) Can-Am Maverick X3, 4hr 54min 32sec
2. Fernando Alvarez (ESP)/José Luis Diaz (ARG) South Racing Can-Am Maverick X3, 4hr 59min 35sec
3. Vadim Fedotov (RUS)/Alexsandr Kupriyanov (RUS) Can-Am Maverick X3, 5hr 03min 51sec
4. Pavel Silnov (RUS)/Kirill Shubin (RUS) Can-Am Maverick X3, 5hr 06min 26sec
5. Saleh Al-Saif (SAU)/Egor Okhotnikov (RUS) Can-Am Maverick X3, 5hr 11min 17sec
6. Armen Puzian (RUS)/Evgenii Zagorodniuk (RUS) Can-Am Maverick X3, 5hr 13min 14sec
7. Dania Akeel (SAU)/Laurent Lichtleuchter (FRA) South Racing Can-Am Maverick X3, 5hr 27min 36sec
8. Enrique Reyes (ESP)/Jorge Saiz (ESP) Can-Am Maverick X3, 5hr 31min 05sec
9. Ricardo Ramilo (ESP)/Francisco Lopez (ESP) Can-Am Maverick X3, 5hr 32min 50sec
10. Mashael Al-Obaidan (SAU)/Alexey Kuzmich (RUS) Can-Am Maverick X3, 5hr 59min 46sec
11. Filipe Nascimento (PRT)/João Serodio (PRT) Can-Am Maverick X3, 6hr 06min 35sec
Neil Perkins,