Tempestini was in ninth place in the rally before the final special stage of Sunday morning’s loop. What had already been a lacklustre rally ended harshly for the Romanian, as he crashed out. This meant retirement and zero points from the season opener.
Tempestini rose to the top ranks of the European Rally Championship last season when he claimed victory in Hungary. He finished sixth in the overall standings of the series.
Nikolay Gryazin, driving a Škoda, continues to lead Rally Sierra Morena. Gryazin, who is also known from the World Rally Championship, holds a 39.9-second lead over Citroën’s Yoann Bonato before the final loop. In third place is the host nation’s Jose Suarez, who is now well over a minute behind the leader.
Italian driver Andrea Mabellini is still fighting for a podium finish. Mabellini, also driving a Škoda, trails Suarez in third place by just 3.1 seconds.
Poland’s Miko Marczyk has moved up to fifth in the competition. However, Pepe Lopez, who suffered a puncture, is only 2.3 seconds behind the Pole. Swedish prospect Mille Johansson holds seventh place ahead of Mads Østberg.
Three more special stages remain in Rally Sierra Morena after the service break.
Standings of the Sierra Morena ERC rally after SS10/13:
| POS. | Driver | Car | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nikolay Gryazin | Skoda | 1:28:21.6 |
| 2. | Yoann Bonato | Citroen | +39.9 |
| 3. | Jose Suarez | Skoda | +1:12.8 |
| 4. | Andrea Mabellini | Skoda | +1:15.9 |
| 5. | Mikolaj Marczyk | Skoda | +1:33.5 |
| 6. | Pepe Lopez | Hyundai | +1:36.8 |
| 7. | Mille Johansson | Skoda | +1:59.7 |
| 8. | Mads Østberg | Citroen | +2:00.6 |
| 9. | Stephane Lefebvre | Hyundai | +2:55.8 |
| 10. | Simon Wagner | Hyundai | +3:13.5 |
