The Spanish stages provided a formidable challenge to the Junior crews, combining fast and twisty asphalt roads with plenty of loose gravel where the competitors tended to cut the corners. The final 93-kilometre day, which took in six stages, was no exception - with several traps to catch out the unwary. Despite these extremely challenging conditions, all three Suzuki Swift Super 1600s got to the finish safely in a closely-fought title battle that will go all the way down to the wire in Corsica next weekend.

News from Jaan Molder/Frederic Miclotte (Suzuki Swift n.32):
"I really needed to get in some more kilometres on asphalt, so this rally - my first one on asphalt all year - was extremely useful. The stages here in Spain were actually even more difficult than I expected them to be, so I'm very pleased to reach the finish with some points. It was a pity that we picked up a puncture on the longest stage of the rally yesterday but this is always a risk when you are running behind the World Rally Cars on an asphalt event. When they cut the corners they pull out lots of rocks, which can damage tyres. This rally has been a very good experience though and I am much clearer now on some ideas about set-up heading into Corsica."

News from Michal Kosciuszko/Maciek Szczepaniak (Suzuki Swift n.35):
"This was a really difficult rally and I have learnt a lot. Without the throttle cable problem I think I could have finished on the podium, even though I don't have so much experience on this type of event, so that is really encouraging for the future. Corsica will be another big adventure for me, so I can't wait to get started!"

News from Florian Niegel/Andre Kachel (Suzuki Swift n.43):
"I've had a lot of fun driving the car on these stages and taken away a lot of really useful knowledge. Apart from the problem with the wheel nuts, which was just a small thing, the car itself has been perfectly reliable over all three days, which has enabled me to learn a lot. I've also improved my pace notes, and now I feel confident heading to the next round in Corsica. It is a busy schedule, but it means that you do not lose any momentum - so I'm hoping to make the most of Corsica as well."

Final result:
1 Martin Prokop 3:41:25.0 0.0
2 Alessandro Bettega 3:41:49.6 +24.6
3 Aaron Nikolai Burkart 3:42:29.5 +1:04.5
4 Shaun Gallagher 3:43:41.7 +2:16.7
5 Patrik Sandell 3:46:05.0 +4:40.0
6 Jaan Molder 3:47:14.1 +5:49.1
7 Stefano Albertini 3:49:34.1 +8:09.1
8 Simone Bertolotti 3:51:03.3 +9:38.3
9 Michal Kosciuszko 3:52.20.5 +10:55.5
10 Florian Niegel 3:54:20.9 +12:55.9

Day 2: Suzuki Juniors stay positive despite bad luck in Spain

Suzuki Sport Europe drivers Michal Kosciuszko and Jaan Molder have both been hit by bad luck in separate incidents during the second leg of the Rally de Espana, the penultimate round of the Junior World Rally Championship. Nonetheless, they are determined to bounce back and have a strong final day of the rally tomorrow.
Kosciuszko started the day within striking distance of the podium, but his hopes were cruelly dashed on the final stage of the morning, when the throttle cable broke on his Swift Super 1600 halfway through the test. The Pole had to stop and improvise a repair, costing him 10 minutes. As a result he ends leg two in 13th place amongst the Juniors, outside of the points-scoring positions.

Suzuki Rallye Junior Team Germany driver Florian Niegel steered clear of trouble today, having been forced out yesterday when his front wheel nuts broke. The young German managed to set a couple of top five times today but ends the leg 14th amongst the Juniors, just behind Kosciuszko.

News from Jaan Molder/Frederic Miclotte (Suzuki Swift n.32):
"Today was one of those interesting days that can happen in rallying! I thought that we needed to push in the long stage, but in the end we picked up a puncture that we had to stop and change, as there were 12 kilometres of the stage still to go. I made a bit of a mistake with the set-up today: I lowered the car at last service yesterday but that proved to be the wrong decision as the sumpguard kept scraping along the ground in the morning. So I had to raise the car again at service today and that made things a little bit better. We start the final day in the points, and if I push hard I think we can take sixth tomorrow."

News from Michal Kosciuszko/Maciek Szczepaniak (Suzuki Swift n.35):
"We were in a strong position to challenge for the podium today, but then when we were driving along SS9 I felt the accelerator pedal just go flat: I knew then straightaway that the throttle cable had broken. We managed to make a repair using tie-wraps but it took 10 minutes. It was annoying, but that's part of rallying: you just have to accept it sometimes and move on. On SS12 we had a puncture, but luckily our Suzuki is a strong car and we managed to drive on it to the finish. Tomorrow I'll be pushing hard again to try and make up for lost time."

News from Florian Niegel/Andre Kachel (Suzuki Swift n.43):
"Today we've had no problems and I've enjoyed driving these stages. We are well down the general classification now but that takes the pressure off: we can just concentrate on driving the car and learning the stages. At this stage in my career the most important thing is to gain experience, which is why it is important to have a good, clean run like we did today as often as possible."

Day 1: Suzuki Juniors in solid points-scoring places at end of day one

Suzuki Sport Europe drivers Michal Kosciuszko and Jaan Molder have both ended the challenging first day of the Rally de Espana within the top six of the Junior World Rally Championship classification. After six stages, Kosciuszko is less than 10 seconds off the provisional podium, whilst Molder is only six seconds away from fifth place. With 12 long special stages still to go, both drivers have every chance of doing well in what is already proving to be an extremely tough rally.

One victim has been Suzuki Rallye Junior Team Germany driver Florian Niegel. The German youngster set some promising times at the start of the event to move to within striking distance of the points places, but he was forced to retire on the penultimate stage of the day after losing a wheel. Niegel will re-start the second day of the Junior World Rally Championship's sixth round under the super rally regulations.

The Swift Super 1600 cars, running on Pirelli control tyres, have been reliable throughout the day - although Molder encountered a small electrical problem on the opening loop of stages that deprived him of power at the very top of the rev range. This was subsequently fixed at service and all the Swifts are at full strength ready to re-start the rally at 07:30 tomorrow for leg two, which will take in another six stages and 127 competitive kilometres.

News from Jaan Molder/Frederic Miclotte (Suzuki Swift n.32):
"In the morning we had a bit of an electrical issue that meant we were not able to use all of the power. Apart from that, the car felt very good. These stages are extremely slippery, so the biggest challenge is to keep the driving style very neat and right on the line. During the second run through the stages there were some rocks on the road but the tyres held up well and we had no problems. Tomorrow we have the chance to make up some places, so we will be pushing hard again. But the biggest problem is that I have not driven on asphalt for a year, and I really feel that now."

News from Michal Kosciuszko/Maciek Szczepaniak (Suzuki Swift n.35):
"To be really honest I am not enjoying these roads so much. They seem quite narrow and difficult compared to the typical Catalunya stages; on the whole I prefer it when the roads are faster and more flowing. There have also been some bumpy sections today where I don't have so much confidence. Despite that we are in a good position and I think we can finish on the podium. Winning this rally will be difficult, as the pace at the very front is really quick. However, if I am able to finish second in the championship then that will be a really good result for me - so my focus is on that."

News from Florian Niegel/Andre Kachel (Suzuki Swift n.43):
"My goal was to learn as much as possible and not take any risks. We found a comfortable pace and we were planning to stick to it, but then on the fifth stage of the day a wheel came off. It seems strange as I am sure I did not hit anything. Fortunately we will be able to continue this valuable learning experience tomorrow."