Opel Adam R2 Wins FIA ERC Junior Barum Czech Rally Zlín

Opel works drivers Emil Bergkvist and Joakim Sjoberg took victory in their Adam R2 rally car in the final event of the FIA ERC Junior season this weekend, the Barum Czech Rally Zlín in the Czech Republic. Bergkvist had already locked down the 2015 championship prior to the start of Rally Barum and expressed his excitement about winning the title post-race.

“I am overjoyed,” Bergkvist said after taking the win, which was his third of the 2015 season. “This rallye was the perfect end to a perfect season. Everything went according to plan, we were able to control the race from our leading position. We all worked so hard for this success, and it is great to see that our hard work paid off. Many thanks to my fantastic team from Opel Motorsport. Without them none of this would have been possible.”

Opel’s second works entry of Marijan Griebel and co-driver Stefan Clemens were on pace to finish second, but lost important time after suffering a puncture on the eleventh stage. After stopping for a tire change, the team could only muster a fourth place finish.

“We deserved second place,” a disappointed Gribel said. “It is really bitter that a tire defect ruined everything. But with a little time and distance, I‘ll be able to look back at this year with the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior team with great satisfaction. We were really competitive in this extremely tough championship and drove a strong season.”

With the 2015 FIA ERC Junior season over, the Opel works team will soon get back to work in order to prep for 2016’s edition of the rally championship. But before next season gets underway, there’s still three rounds left of the FIA ERC, with the next being the Cyprus Rally from September 25th to the 27th.