Oprea scores first ERC points

Top 10 ERC4 and first points in the FIA European Rally Championship 2023 for Cristiana Oprea at Barum Czech Rally Zlin

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The penultimate event of the FIA European Rally Championship took place this weekend in the Czech Republic, on some of the most difficult tarmac stages in Europe. All-female rally crew Cristiana Oprea/Alexia Parteni finished Barum Czech Rally Zlin on 10th place in ERC4, scoring their first ERC points with the Opel Corsa Rally4 at only their second outing with this car.

Rally driver Cristiana Oprea started the Czech event with one goal in mind: to gain as much seat time as possible in the Rally4 spec car, after her premature finish of Rally di Roma Capitale just two weeks before. “We are pleased with our progress this week, even though our pace is not yet competitive. The stages in Zlin are very difficult and the competition is very high, which makes this experience so much more valuable. Alexia and I worked very hard preparing for this rally, wealready knew from 2022 the characteristics of the tarmac and I feel we did a pretty good job, considering the very limited experience we have with this rally car. I am especially grateful to the Austrian team WMS Waldherr Motor Sport for the flawless car and race support they offer us during events.” said Cristiana Oprea

After dedicating the first half of 2023 to the all-electric championship Opel Cup, Oprea now started to readjust herself with the petrol-based Corsa Rally4 in view of future plans: “We competed in ERC in Italy and Czech Republic having one clear mission - to build our basis for next season. We want to do a full FIA ERC programme in 2024 with the Opel Corsa Rally4, aiming for gravel events as well. My goal is to build the consistency I see in other drivers, so even though right now the pace difference was significant to the guys in front, I am confident we can have a good progress. I am working to secure the budget we need for a proper training and race calendar for next season.

Cristiana Oprea is supported in the FIA ERC - European Rally Championship by UniCredit Leasing, Vitesco Technologies, Vitamin Aqua, I Am Sport și Conex Distribution. Walero Motorsport is a technical partner, while media partners are ProFM, AutoBild România and RallyFish.

The next rally for Oprea and Parteni is WRC Central Europe on 28-30 October, where they will compete on a different itinerary with their electric Opel Corsa e, as part of the season finale in Opel Electric Rally Cup.

You can follow Oprea’s journey in motorsport on instagram @crissoprea and on her blog cristianaoprea.ro

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