Avcı Leads After Opening Day in Eskişehir

The seventh Eskişehir Rally, organised with the support of Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality, Espark Shopping Centre, KYK, Mantotherm, Banaz Otomotiv, Anemon Hotel, the Eskişehir Chamber of Commerce (ETO), Red Bull, Power FM, Fora Araç Takip and Tepebaşı Municipality, got under way on Saturday 3 September. The start ceremony in front of the Espark Shopping Centre, which began with a tribute to the nation's martyrs and the playing of the national anthem, was attended by Tepebaşı Mayor Dt. Ahmet Ataç and ETO President Metin Güler.

On the opening day of the rally, following the Şerif Yardımcı, Taner Türkkan and Ömer Banaz stages, competitors moved on from 19:00 to the Metropolitan Municipality Spectator Stage. After service, the crews tackled the Şerif Yardımcı, Taner Türkkan and Ömer Banaz stages again in the dark and completed the first day of the rally after seven stages.

The Peugeot Sport Türkiye-backed Neo Motorspor crew of Yağız Avcı-Bahadır Gücenmez finished the first day in the lead in a Peugeot 208 T16 R5, 58.1 seconds clear. Orhan Avcıoğlu-Burçin Korkmaz of Castrol Ford Team Türkiye were second in a Ford Fiesta S2000, with Burak Çukurova-Vedat Bostancı of BC Vision Motorsport third in a Citroen DS3 R5 Evo.

At the end of the first day, Ahmet Burkay-Bilge Ayan led Class 3, Buğra Banaz-Burak Erdener led Class 4, Ömer Köstek-Deniz Gülcan led Class 5, Menderes Okur-Bora Arabacı led Class N and Burak Türkkan-Onur Aslan led the historic classification.