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Image: Sergio Betancort
Rubén Curbelo has inscribed his name in the history of the Haría Climb. The young driver from Conejero won on Saturday in the classic race and continues to make great strides in the world of rallies. Once again, thousands of people came to the timed section, crowded the ditches and enjoyed the expertise of the drivers at the wheel of the vehicles. The scare was given by Jesús Machín, starring in a spectacular accident, escaping unharmed.
From the training session it could be seen that the fight for the final victory was going to be focused between Rubén Curbelo with the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX and Jesús Machín Citroen Xsara Kit Car. It was Curbelo who set the best time in the training session, beating Machín by just over six seconds. A training that served for the drivers to take the pulse of the Haría Climb.
In the first official heat, Rubén Curbelo once again set the best time, stopping the clock at 4:50.787. For his part, Jesús Machín had to settle for the second best record, with a time of 4:53.851, placing himself just over three seconds behind Curbelo. The third best time of this heat was for José Ramón González with the BMW 325 (5:09.579).
Jesús Machín had to take risks if he wanted to revalidate the triumph in the Haría Climb. Risks that he ended up paying very dearly. In one of the curves of the track, he lost control of the Citroen Xsara Kit Car, rolling over several times. Fortunately, Jesús Machín did not suffer any physical mishap and was able to get out of the car on his own. The organization added the time of the first heat to Rubén Curbelo and Jesús Machín as they could not complete the second timed heat.
The only change in the general classification occurred in the third place on the podium. Antonio Suárez with the Renault Megané Coupé improved his time and took third place. His best time was 5:08.733. In group N, Camilo González won with the Honda Civic, being Jesús María Lemes with the Renault Clio Williams.
The leader of the Lanzarote Island Rally Championship, David Tenorio, could not complete the Haría Climb, having to retire at the first change due to problems in his Opel Corsa. Tenorio had won in the two tests of the season held previously on the island of Lanzarote.