Avcı Targets Fifth Title

The Peugeot Sport Türkiye-backed Neo Motorspor crew of Yağız Avcı and Bahadır Gücenmez will compete in Eskişehir on 3-4 September. Driving a Peugeot 208 T16 R5, the national crew aims to win Rally Eskişehir and retain their championship lead.

Round five of the 2016 Turkish Rally Championship, Rally Eskişehir is organised by the Eskişehir Automobile Sports Club (ESOK) and is a candidate event for the European Rally Cup. Championship leader Yağız Avcı is aiming to finish the season in first place and equal Ali Bacıoğlu's record of five titles.

Held for the seventh time this year with the support of Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality, the rally is preparing to offer competitors and spectators a different kind of excitement with night stages after a long break. The rally begins at 15:45 on Saturday with a ceremonial start in front of Espark. On the opening day the crews will tackle seven special stages before completing the day in the service park from 22:30.

On the second day, the crews will get behind the wheel at 11:30 and, after three special stages, will fight to reach the finish podium in front of Espark at 15:00.

Avcı, who arrives at this event as championship leader, said: "We are returning to Rally Eskişehir after a year away, and it will also be our second asphalt event of the season. We will try to adapt quickly to the asphalt and to the 208 T16 again and find a good pace. In this event, which will also include night stages, we will do our best as a crew once more and try to score good points. I wish everyone success and an easy run."