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Remennik revs up for FIA European Rally Trophy bid

Sergei Remennik will fly the FIA European Rally Championship flag when he contests the FIA European Rally Trophy finale in Portugal this weekend.

A winner in ERC2 this season, Remennik has qualified for the ERT showdown through his success in the FIA Baltic Rally Trophy, which he completed in equal first place.

He will challenge for honours in the FIA European Rally Trophy for ERT2 competitors on what will be the Russian's debut on Rallye Casinos do Algarve, which has the honour of hosting the ERT finale for the second time from 16/17 November.

"It's a great opportunity to compare our possibilities with local champions from different regions in the ERT finals," said Remennik, who drives a Mitsubishi Lancer. "Initially we didn't plan to participate in this race, and my co-driver Mark Rozin will not be able to take part - he is on a business trip. So I invited Marina Danilova to assist me. It will be our first joint race; we will start to work as a crew at the test runs in Portugal."

With the Rallye Casinos do Algarve an all-asphalt affair, Remennik admits he'll face a tougher challenge than had the event run on his preferred gravel surface.

"It's more difficult for me than gravel," he said. "But it's great that we have the opportunity to take part in another rally because the next tests in our tight schedule were planned for the end of December in Finland, when we will have free time and good ice. We haven't planned anything except tests yet, and it coincided so that I have some free time, and can travel to this race not with Mark, but with Marina.

"It's very interesting for me to do it with another co-driver, especially a lady, because I've never had such experience before. Let's see what will happen."

Co-driver Danilova is a four-time Russian champion and has experience in the world championship, the Russian Rally Cup and on events in the Baltics with more than 150 starts to her name.

Zdroj: autosport.com