Bulacia reclaims WRC3 lead with another podium finish!

With its stiflingly hot temperatures, low average speeds and incredibly rough stages, Rally Turkey is a real challenge for drivers and cars alike. It calls for an intelligent, measured approach if you are to make it to the end unscathed. You need to look after your car in the more demanding sections and keep out of trouble or end up paying a heavy price. The talented 19 year-old Marquito Bulacia did just that in the Tagai Racing Technology team’s Citroën C3 R5. Leading the WRC3 category after the first two stages, the Bolivian opted not to tempt fate on Saturday as Kajetan Kajetanowicz, his closest rival, went on the attack. He remained focused on keeping to his own rhythm and on not making even the slightest mistake. A strategy that paid off despite a minor scare on Sunday morning (puncture), as he made a mockery of his young age to score a fine second place in the category at one of the most difficult rallies of the season, ahead of Yagiz Avci on another Total-backed C3 R5. He did all of this whilst also managing to win five of the twelve stages contested. Having already taken a WRC3 class win at the start of the year in Mexico, Marquito Bulacia now finds himself top of the championship standings with a twelve-point lead over his nearest challenger.

WRC championship update

Full of drama and incidents, this year’s Rally Turkey looked set to be won by Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20 WRC) going into the final day, whilst Sébastien Loeb (Hyundai i20 WRC) and Sébastien Ogier (Toyota Yaris WRC) were on course to fight it out for the last two podium spots. However, all three suffered punctures on the opening Sunday stage, thus handing the lead to Elfyn Evans (Toyota Yaris WRC). Ogier then had to retire altogether with engine failure, allowing Evans to secure the win from Neuville and Loeb. This was the Welshman’s second win of the season after his success in Sweden, catapulting him back into the championship lead, eighteen points ahead of Ogier and twenty-seven clear of Tänak.

Did you know?

Official fuel supplier for the WRC since 2019, Total possesses real logistics expertise, enabling it to deliver its products on time throughout the world, regardless of the final destination. This involves being perfectly familiar with current standards as regards the transport of hazardous materials, but also with customs formalities – which can vary significantly from one country to another – in order to complete all of the border crossings necessary. This knowledge provides Total with a genuine ability to anticipate and plan deliveries, according to the routing mode chosen (sea, air or road transport), so that it is not hampered by poor weather conditions, for example, in the case of transport by sea.