Spanish Rally Driver **Blach** Secures Championship Points

Navigates Tarmac Challenges with Eye on Future Improvement

Young Spanish rally driver Blach has added crucial championship points to his tally, finishing the recent Italian asphalt event in 14th position. This result closely mirrors his performance at ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland last month, where he also secured 14th place.

Tarmac Debut Yields Valuable Experience

The 29-year-old competitor, alongside co-driver **Mauro Barreiro**, expressed a mix of satisfaction and ambition following the demanding weekend. Despite facing a competitive field of local drivers on his first attempt at the Italian course, **Blach** acknowledged the learning opportunities presented.

“It was a difficult weekend for us, I hoped for more on the Tarmac but there were a lot of local drivers here and it’s my first time here. But the weekend was good, it’s points for the championship, I learned a lot, I really enjoy it and I’m happy. Step by step we can do good things this year. I changed a lot with the car and with my pacenotes and I could win a lot of seconds if we start this rally again.”

—Blach

His early-season performance included a 12th-place finish at the 42nd Rally Sierra Morena – Córdoba Patrimonio de la Humanidad. In the current FIA Junior WRC standings, **Blach** is positioned 29th. The next event on his calendar is the Barum Czech Rally Zlín next month.

In the broader context of rally racing, driver development is key. For example, in 2023, the average age of drivers competing in the top tier of the World Rally Championship was approximately 29 years old, highlighting the experience curve in the sport (FIA WRC).

The driver, competing for The Racing Factory alongside teammate **Andrea Mabellini**, aims to build on this foundation. His commitment to refining his setup and driving approach suggests a strong potential for continued advancement throughout the season.