Rallying in professional terms in Turkey dates back to 1972
when Mr. Ali Sipahi created the "Günaydın Rally" .
This event received extraordinary attention as it followed a
2000 km route through the following cities. Istanbul, Şile,
Adapazarı, Kandıra, Akçakoca, Zonguldak, Amasra, Devrek, Bolu,
Beypazarı, Ankara, Nallıhan, Taraklı, Bilecik, Bursa, Uludağ
and Karamürsel. Of the 50 registrations there were 38 starters
and the Engin Serozan-Turgut Oğuz team driving the number 17
Renault 12 was the victor. Second position went to Mete Oktar-Levent
Pekün in a Murat 124 and third position to Ahmet Adil-Reşat
Küçükertan.
In 1998 the Rally of Turkey moved to the heart
of Turkish automotive industry: Bursa. Only 29 of the 51 entrants
were able to complete the rally which consisted of 600 km of
tarmac stages. The Italian team Alessandro Fiorio-Nadia Mazzon
won the rally in 2:12:52.
In the 28th Rally of Turkey,
Volkan Işık was the name who saw the start and
the finish first. Only 29 of the 60 entrants were able to
complete the rally. Because of the successful organization
in 1999, Rally of Turkey had from 5 coefficient to 20 coefficient
risen.
In 2000 The Toyota Castrol team
of Henrik Lundgaard and Jens Christian Anker from Denmark
driving a Toyota Corolla WRC won the 29th Rally of Turkey.
The rally which awards points towards the European Rally Championship
took place in Bursa and Iznik between 15-17 September.
When Lundgaard's main rival in the European rally championship,
Bruno Thiry, was forced to retire from the rally Lundgaard
was able to claim the title of European Rally Champion. With
a final time of 2 hours 50.12.6 Lundgaard and Anker were the
first team to take advantage of the Rally of Turkey's first
ever 20 point co-efficiency. He achieved 24 best times out
of a total of 27 special stages.
In a rally of 73 starters, only 38 managed to reach the finish.
The Bursa, İznik and Citroen spectator stages covered a total
of 950,24 km with 27 special stages.
The 29th Rally of Turkey was organized by the Turkish Automobile
and Motorsports Federation with the support of Tofaş Fiat,
who were the main sponsors, and the Ministries of Culture
and Tourism. The Toyota Team Atakan of local hero Serkan Yazıcı
and Erkan Bodur came second in their Toyota Corolla WRC with
a total time of 2 hours 54.17.4 Serkan enjoyed the advantage
of coming from Bursa and having the support of the locals.
He drove very consistently and maintained his second position
over the final 2 days.
The Kaldera Racing Team of Ercan Kazaz and Cem Bakançocukları
claimed 3rd position in their Subaru Impreza WRC for Turkey
with a final time of 2 hours 55.35.3. Their team partners
of Volkan Işık and Erkan Bodur made a good start but lost
their second position after accelerator pedal problems. Despite
this, they still managed to come 4th.
The only foreign lady driver, Isolde Holderied, put in an
outstanding performance coming 5th overall in her Toyota Corolla
WRC. She is Henrik's partner in the Toyota Castrol team and
surprised everyone when she really challenged Volkan Işık
in the Citroen Spectator stage.
Hakan Dinç of the Opel Motorsport team came first in the F2
classification .Ali Deveci came first in the F3 category with
a Punto Kıt car and Nejat Avcı took second place in this category
with a Citroen Saxo Kıt car driving for Citroen Sport Turkey.
The 29th Rally of Turkey which awards a 20 co-efficiency towards
the European Rally Championship fırst time has been broadcasted
lıve on NTV,CNN Türk and Olay TV .At the same time the event
was broadcasted through out Europe with the help of the Courtney
Team and Eurosport. The event finished at Holiday Inn in Bursa
with a price giving ceremony.
The 30th Tofaş-Fiat Rally of Turkey, organized
by the Turkish Automobile and Motorsports Federation, finished
at the International Izmir Fair headquarters on Sunday, 6th
May. It was the first time Izmir hosted a European 20 co-efficiency
rally.The German team of Armin Kremer-Fred Berssen in their Toyota
Corolla WRC claimed victory with a time of 3.15:45.3. Of the
62 teams who took the start on 4th May only 35 succeeded in
reaching the finish.
Serkan Yazıcı-Erkan Bodur driving a Toyota for Team Atakan
claimed 2nd position with a time of 3.18:11.1
and 3rd position
went to the Russian team of Alexander Potapov-Alexei Pushkin
in a time of 3.20:39.7.There was a great battle between the Toyota WRC's of Armin
Kremer and Serkan Yazıcı from the first day, and their struggle
for best time over the stages gave great pleasure to the spectators.
Ercan Kazaz-Cem Bakançocukları in their Subaru Impreza dislayed
their ability and experience by keeping within the first 4
during most stages.
There were 8 foreign teams from 5 different countries competing
in the 30th Tofaş-Fiat Rally of Turkey which took them through
993 km of roads, 302 of which were special stages. The Belgian
team of Rocco Theunıssen-Erwin Mombaerts in a Toyota Corolla
WRC were consistently within the first five until bad luck
struck on the second day when a technical problem caused their
car to catch fire. Murat Akdilek and Deniz Cengiz were involved
in separate accidents on the same day but fortunately nobody
suffered serious injury. These incidents again emphasize the
importance of security on the special stages.
There was a hard fought-competition in Group N between Celal
Gülerhan-Mehmet Yazıcı and Ali Ersin-Ahmet Yöruk which evetually
favoured Ali Ersin. Celal Gülerhan maintained the lead until
the last stage when Ali Ersin made a final attack and gained
advantage by 0.6 sec.
Victory in the F3 category went to Nejat Avcı-Özden Yılmaz
in theır Citroen Saxo Kit Car with second place going to Ali
Deveci-Kaan Özşenler competıng for the Tofaş Fiat Motorsports
team in their Fıat Punto Kit Car.
The 31st Tofas Rally, organized by the Turkish
Automobile and Motorsports Federation, finished at the International
Izmir Fair headquarters on Sunday, 18th May. The Polish team of Janusz Kulig-Jarek Baran in their Ford
Focus WRC claimed victory. Of the 78 teams who took the start
on 10th of May, only 35 succeeded in reaching the finish.
Second place went to the German team of Anthony Warmbold-Gemma
Price who continued their chase right up to the end and finished
31.7 seconds behind the winners. 3rd place on the podium went
to the Turkish team Hakan Dinc-Afsin Baydar in their Subaru
Impreza WRC.
After a breathtaking challenge between Kulig and Kuzaj, a
fault forced Kuzaj to retire on the 7th stage giving Kulig
breathing space. The Turkish well known names of Hakan Dinc,
Nejat Avcı, Volkan Isik and Celal Gulerhan frequently changed
places in the earlier stages classification, but by the end
of the second day it seemed as though everybody's position
was settled. Hakan Dinc-Afsin Baydar who came third overall
also gave them first position in the group N category, with
Celal Gulerhan-Mehmet Yazici of Penta Motorsport in second
position.Volkan Isik came 5th in the general classification,
giving him the F3 championship in the general classification.
There were 10 foreign teams from 6 different countries competing
in the 31st Tofas Rally which took them through 920 km of
roads, 285 of which were 14 special stages. The organization
was viewed by hundreds of people and national TV channels.Courteyn
Team broadcasted the event in Europe.
32. Tofas Rally
Peugeot WRC team driver Bruno Thiry and his co-pilot won the
32.Tofas Rally which gives 20 point-count effecienty to Europan
Rally championship. In each stage Bruno and his team Peugeot is at the first position
with the WRC car and got 3.04.28.07 rank totaly,so they won
the cup.
After Bruno and his team Peugeot, the famous Turkish couple
Serkan Yazıcı-Can Okan , driving for Ford Hazirkart Rally
Team got the second place in the finish podium.Young pilot
Serkan Yazıcı was taking place after Buruno with 1 minute
difference during the rally, however on the last they as he
had a puncture at Beyler stage (SS14), he lost 5 minutes.
Eventhough the couple got the second place with 3.09.49.5
rank , it is a significant advantage in Turkish Rally Championship
for him.
Volkan Işık who was driving for Fiat Abarth Motorsport team
with Punto cit car kept his leading place in Super 1600 category
and the third place in overall classification until SS13 however
as he had a puncture in SS14 the Italian pilot his place and
became the third in overall classification and became Andreucci
took over the winner in Super 1600 Category with 3.13.57.3
rank..Volkan Işık became the fifth.
Ercan Kazaz-Macit Gür in A6 with Citroen Sport Turkey Team
got the fourth place.The leader of group-N became Celal Gülerhan-Aras
Dinçer with their Mitshubishi Lancer Evo 7 for Penta Motorsport
got the 7.place in overall classification.Hamdi Ünal from
OMS-OSS team left the 32.Tofas Rally on the last day because
he rolled over at SS14.
52 cars started in the organization, by Turkish Automobil
and Motorsports Federation whereas 32 cars managed to finish
the competition. In all three days teams completed 15 special
stages of 287 km special stage and passed asphalt stages of
1000km as total.
FIAT RALLY 2004
In three of last four years, winner of Turkish round of FIA European Rally Championship, had also become European Rally Champion of that year. This tradition contiuned in 2004 as well and European title decided once again in Turkey, as French crew Simon JeanJoseph - Jack Boyere won the event and the 2004 championship.So Simon Jean Joseph followed the footsteps of past champions like Hendik Lundgaard, Armin Kremer and Bruno Thiry, who won Europen Championship title in Turkey on previous events.
In 33rd Fiat Rally, organised by Turkish Atomobile and Motorsports Federation between 10-12 September 2004, which was 7th round of 2004 FIA European Rally Championship, overall win went to Joseph on the wheel of Renault Clio Super 1600 with a total time of 3h 07m 19.02s. British crew of Mark Higgins-Daniel Barrit, who started on behalf of Opel Motorsport Turkey for the first ever time, was runner-up, with the gap of almost two minutes.
Final visitors of the rostrum were Belgian crew of Bruno Thiry - Nicolas Gilsoul, who were European champions of 2003, on behalf of Citroen Kronos Racing Team. When Fiat Turkey driver Hamdi Ünal had a puncture in 12th stage of the rally while he was in 2nd overall, Mark Higgins promoted to 2nd and Burno Thiry to 3rd positions respectively. Hamdi Ünal - Kaan Özşenler crew of Fiat Palio Super 1600, who were competing on behalf of Fiat, which was also title sponsor of the event, had a avery consistent pace and held 2nd overall behind Jean Joseph, until a puncture cost them almost 1 minute. They finally dropped to 4th position. Nevertheless, they won ‘Best Turkish Crew’ cup.
Burak Çukurova - Baran Alpay crew of Rnault Performans Team surprised everybody with their stable pace and they reached finish in fifth overall. Other driver of Fiat Turkey team, Volkan Işık also suffered punctures on the first day of the event and they could only climbed into sixth position overall. While Group N winner of the event was Mehmet Besler - Özden Yılmaz, who competeed on behalf of Mobil ST Racing, Best Youth Crew award went to Fatih Kara - Aras Dinçer of Citroen Sport Turkey. So we completed oldest international motorsport event of Turkey once again and we would like to thank our sponsors, Fiat, CMS, Princess Hotel, Sanat Reklam and Philips for their vital contribution
FIAT RALLY 2005
It’s Jean Joseph once again....
The Italian driver Baldacci, who was the leader of the eventfor the two days being, had lost his position to Simon Jean Joseph - Jack Boyere, the reigning ERC Champion and Fiat Rally Champion duo, due to a puncture at the last stage.
The organization of the 34th "FIAT RALLY", by Turkish Automobile Sports Federation has come to an end. The second name on the rostrumof the 739 km lon event, was the Italian Fiat Punto crew of Giandomenico Basso - Mitia Dotta with the timing of 2:45:49.8. Fiat Abarth Squadra Team's other crew, Mirco Baldacci-Giovanni Bernacchini couple, who had not attended the whole championship was the third.
Travaglia, European Champion of 2002, who was 4th or 5th overall during the most of teh rallyand he finished it in 4th position. Burak Çukurova, Renault Clio's Turkish driver was the best of Turkish drivers since the start of the second day, ended up in 5th overall. The prestigious name Hamdi Ünal - Kaan Özşenler couple from Fiat Motorsports team became the sixth. In Group N category; Ahmet Burkay - Bilge Ayan were the winners, whereas Nisa Bozkurt - Melis Çeker couple was the best of the ladies.
FIAT RALLY, bearing tile sponsor Fiat’s name, had started with 42 cars and ended up with 25
THE VICTORIOUS SUPER 2000 AT THE 35. FIAT RALLY
Fiat Rally; the second leg of the European Rally Championship which was organized by the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation, was held in Istanbul for the first time after 9 years, on 12-14 May, 2006 for the total 35th time.
The rally which supported by Lassa, Shell, Sports Industry and helps of Sonax had taken a start from the Taksim Square, and followed the route through Şile and Kocaeli.
The Super Special Stage and the Service Park were located inside of the Istanbul Park - our famous Formula One track. The rally, consisted of 23 special stages and 802.45km, was entirely run on tarmac.
55 competitors was in the entry list, containing of 10 different car manufacturers in Group A, Group N, Super 1600 category and Super 2000 category.
The winner of this grand organization was the Italian duo Giandomenico Basso and Mitia Dotta who hadn’t let any competitor to rank over, as being the only car to compete in the Super 2000 category ( on the wheel of Fiat Punto) Tehire total time was 2h 12m10.9s.
The second duo in overall claasfiication was Volkan Işık-Güray Karacar from the well known Turkish Fiat Motorsports Team, with the time of of 2h15d10.3s. With the two cars at the first steps of the 35the podium, Fiat had proven the performance of its cars.
The third name in the classification was Ercan Kazaz-Serdar Kurbanzade couple from Subaru Rally Team of Turkey. Competing with their Group N Subaru Impreza, they completed the course in 2h15m 33.4 s. They also finished second in the Group N classification.
33 cars managed to complete the Rally from out of total of 48 cars
36th Fiat Rally 2007
After more than 10 years, Turkey's oldest international motorsport event, Fiat Rally was organised on all gravel stages for the first time, around Istanbul and Kocaeli roads. Rally, was counting for three different championships: FIA ERC, brand new IRC Series and national championship.
There was a breath-taking competition among the top runners, during three days of the event. Competitors tackled 19 special stages, including two runs of SSS, which was next to new Service Park in Pendik county.
Young driver Anton Alen of Abarth SPA led the majority of the event until 16th special stage, where Nicolas Vouilloz of Peugeot Esport Espana took the lead. Then French driver kept his position and won the event, whereas his teammate Enrique Garcia became third overall.
Turkish driver Volkan Isik of Fiat Motorsports Turkey lost 2nd overall position on the last special stage, due to puncture. Thus, Andrea Navara of Abarth SPA finished the event in second place. Volkan Isik, best Turkish driver of the event, classified in 4th overall.
38 of 65 starters reached finish ceremeony of the rally, which was covering total of 807 kilometers. Thanks to Eurosport's comprehensive coverages, rally reached very big audience figures.
2008 Istanbul Rally
Turkey's oldest event, with its new name Istanbul Rally, was organised on all gravel stages around Istanbul and Kocaeli roads. Rally, was counting for three different championships: FIA ERC, IRC Series and national championship.
There was a breath-taking competition among the top runners, during two days of the event. Following Friday evening‘s ceremonial start in marina of Fenerbahce Park, competitors tackled 15 special stages.
Although it was only his fifth ever gravel rally, Peugeot Italia driver Luca Rossetti added the Istanbul Rally to victory list. Italian claimed the lead from SS5 in the middle of the opening day and held onto it all the way to the finish, controlling his advantage to end up 22.9s seconds ahead of Peugeot Belgium’s Nicolas Vouilloz.
Anton Alen however claimed the final podium place in his Abarth on the very last stage, whereas local hero Volkan Isik (Abarth) was early victim of puncture. Young Turkish driver Yagiz Avci, on the wheel of Fiat Punto S1600 claimed IRC 2WD Cup.
34 of 56 starters reached finish ceremony of the rally, which was covering total of 706 kilometers. Thanks to Eurosport's comprehensive coverages, rally reached very big audience figures.