Kajetanowicz has learned tyre lessons

Kajetan Kajetanowicz believes his Circuit of Ireland challenge will be aided from set-up lessons that cost him a win last time out in Spain.

Kajetanowicz lost the lead and the chance to get the defence of his European Rally Championship title off to a winning start after experiencing excessive tyre wear on the final day around the Canary Islands event.

He has since blamed incorrect tyre pressures and wrong camber settings for the setback and says the same mistake cannot happen again.

“Gran Canaria was a great lesson of handling and managing the tyres,” he said. “We have learned a lot about them, both as a crew and as a team, and we intend to use this experience during our time at the Circuit of Ireland Rally [round two of the ERC].”

The Pole trails Alexey Lukyanuk – who has won the last two ERC events – but the Russian feels a victory challenge will be unlikely.

“For me it is important that I remain realistic so early in he season,” explained Lukyanuk, who has no events confirmed after the Circuit. “It’s a special event; it was my first proper Tarmac rally. I am very happy with the progress that I have made since then, but I still don’t have the right feeling, the style or the confidence that’s needed to challenge for victory in such conditions.”