FIAEuro RX3: Nicolas Geleyns turns the tide in Ireland

After two consecutive events ended in semi-final elimination, Nicolas Geleyns returned to the sharp end at Mondello Park. Runner-up in the fourth round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship’s Euro RX3 category, the Antigua-based RACB driver claimed his second podium of the season and climbed to fourth in the overall standings.

Geleyns arrived in Ireland determined to make a fresh start. The previous two rounds had not allowed the Volland Racing driver to fulfil his potential, but the experience gained at Mondello Park a month earlier in the British Rallycross Championship provided him with valuable reference points.

“After the two difficult weekends we had just been through, my main aim was to make a fresh start. I knew there were still some good opportunities ahead of us this season, but I did not want to put too much pressure on myself. My objective was simply to drive cleanly, minimise mistakes and make full use of everything I had learned while testing at this circuit in a Suzuki Swift.”

The Audi A1 driver quickly established himself among the front-runners and never dropped outside the top three throughout qualifying. Third in Q1 and Q2, second in Q3 and third again in Q4, he completed this opening phase of the event in third place with 171 points from a possible 200.

The RACB driver finished just three points behind second-placed Julien Meunier, while Rytis Gurklys secured top spot with a perfect score of 200. Geleyns delivered one of his strongest performances in Q4, setting the outright fastest lap in 45.937s, 0.035s quicker than Gurklys.

“I am pleased with our pace. We managed to improve in every qualifying session and showed that we were capable of competing with the best. Things also fell into place for us this time, which had not always been the case since the start of the season. Apart from a costly mistake in the final, I am really happy with our weekend.”

Geleyns maintained his form in the semi-final. Racing in the same heat as Gurklys, the Volland Racing driver produced another solid performance to secure his place in the final.

“That approach paid off. We made progress throughout the weekend, and it is really satisfying to see all that work rewarded.”

Geleyns remained in touch with the leaders throughout the final. However, a mistake at the last corner of the final lap allowed Gurklys to regain the position and cross the line ahead of him.

“I prefer not to revisit the race with ‘what ifs’. Starting from the front row might have changed things, of course, but that was not the situation. My biggest regret is the mistake I made at the final corner on the last lap. I thought I could force Rytis Gurklys towards the outside and secure second place, but he was ultimately a little too far behind. He was able to cut back to the inside and overtake me. It was my mistake. Congratulations to him. He took full advantage of the opportunity.”

Initially classified third, Nicolas Geleyns was subsequently promoted to second following a three-second penalty for Julien Meunier. His final time of 5m10.002s left him just 0.318s behind the winner.

He also recorded the second-fastest lap of the final in 46.578s, 0.233s slower than Meunier but 0.015s quicker than Gurklys. His 49.833s run through the Joker Lap was also the second- fastest of the race.

With 25 points scored at Mondello Park, the RACB driver recorded his strongest points haul of the season. He moves up to fourth in the championship on 51 points, just four behind third- placed Sámuel Kovács.

“This podium means a great deal. It confirms that we have the level to fight at the front and that we are still in contention. Mentally, it is very important after two difficult weekends. Of course, I know there are still many areas in which I need to improve, both at certain circuits and in my driving, but this result shows that we are heading in the right direction.”

The FIA European Rallycross Championship heads to Lohéac at the end of August for its next round. Despite moving back into contention for a top-three championship finish, Geleyns intends to maintain the approach that carried him back onto the podium in Ireland.

“I am obviously keeping an eye on the championship, but I do not want to focus on the calculations. I do not think that helps me. My objective is simply to continue giving my best at every event. If we do our job properly, the results and the championship position will follow naturally.”

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua-Based Nicolas Geleyns Claims Second Place at FIA Euro RX3 in Ireland.