Have fun in Cyprus!

Have fun in Cyprus!

2010 Cyprus Rally – Interview with Constantinos Tingirides

Posted by admin On September - 3 - 2010
Troodos Rally 2009 - Special Stage 13 - Argaka: Car no. 6, a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX driven by Constantinos Tingirides and 'Chips', 11 October 2009

Troodos Rally 2009 - Special Stage 13 - Argaka: Car no. 6, a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX driven by Constantinos Tingirides and 'Chips', 11 October 2009

‘I’m looking forward to it’ – Constantinos Tingirides

Constantinos Tingirides came to fame when he took the lead in the 2008 Cyprus Rally.

While he didn’t manage to finish that event, by the end of the year he had won the Cyprus Rally Championship, with co-driver Aggelos Loizides at his side.

After a year off in 2009, Constantinos is back in action this year with co-driver Panagiotis Sialos.

With a healthy 12-point lead over Nicos Thomas, Constantinos has his sights set firmly on securing the 2010 Cyprus Championship crown… but he’s also looking to distinguish himself in the upcoming 2010 FxPro Cyprus Rally and Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally.

Constantinos was interviewed about his season and this November’s major rally events in Cyprus…

Constantinos, following your latest victory in the Kyrenia Rally, you are now twelve points ahead in the Championship, with just two events left. What’s your next move?

We both want very much the 2010 Cyprus Rally Championship, which I won in 2008. I believe if we adopt the right strategy in the remaining rallies – our national rally and one more in December – it will be very difficult for us to lose.   

Is the thought of winning the 2010 FxPro Cyprus Rally a temptation to disregard your Championship strategy?

Our national rally has always been a challenge for every Cypriot driver. Now we are aware that we must drive with the correct strategy, but finishing as high as possible among Cypriot drivers is our main target. 

In the 2010 FxPro Cyprus Rally, will you drive the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX you use for the local Championship?

Next week we are planning to start preparing for the competition with this car. There is a prospect of upgrading to an S2000 class, about which we’ll know more in the next few days.

What do you expect from the 2010 FxPro Cyprus Rally?

The 2010 FxPro Cyprus Rally is something very different that’s never happened before. We hear about a super-special course for the Love Cyprus Golden Stage on 7 November. There is immense enthusiasm among people, especially for the Love Cyprus Golden Stage. It is something that excites all drivers, both foreign and Cypriot. 

Is the possibility greater for a Cypriot to distinguish himself this year when the “big guns” of the WRC are missing?

Sure, the competition is closer to our own capabilities, apart of course from certain fully professional drivers who will come with cars of S2000 specifications. In any case, in Group N, which is our category, I believe we could expect leading positions. 

What are your thoughts on the Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally?

It combines all types of surfaces (asphalt roads – dirt tracks) uphill, downhill. I’m really looking forward to it. It’s the first time that this is done in Cyprus, possibly worldwide, I think.  It’s an immense challenge, and there are considerable financial prizes.

Having spoken to many Cypriot as well as foreign drivers, I understand that we will have a large number of participants – possibly more than the numbers required.

When I talked with foreign drivers, I realised that certain drivers I never thought would ever race in Cyprus will be here! And since they’ll be here for Love Cyprus Golden Stage, they’ll race in FxPro Cyprus Rally which takes place just before.

I believe the Golden Stage lures them. 

Do mixed surfaces make your job more difficult? I think this is your first mixed surface event..?

Yes, this is our first rally on mixed surfaces. Racing on asphalt roads with tyres and settings suitable for dirt tracks definitely makes our job difficult, but the safety issue doesn’t arise if the car has been prepared correctly. In any case… let’s not forget that we are rallying! We’ll do some tests on asphalted roads before the race so that we are ready.

Will you compete again before the 2010 FxPro Cyprus Rally?

It’s the ELPA Rally in Greece on 1-3 October, which counts for the Cyprus Rally Championship since it’s an international race (European Championship). We’ll see whether we’ll be able to be ready on time – it’s the transport of the equipment too. 

It would serve as preparation for us for the FxPro Cyprus Rally.

The 2010 FxPro Cyprus Rally will be held in Limassol on 4-6 November 2010, with the Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally following on 7 November.

See also:

Share and Enjoy
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • del.icio.us
  • Digg
  • FriendFeed
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Posterous
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr

Leave a Reply

CAPTCHA Image
CAPTCHA Audio
Refresh Image