José Antonio Suárez wrapped up his Peugeot Rally Academy programme with his seventh WRC2 appearance of the season at the 2016 Dayinsure Wales Rally GB.
In an up and down weekend, the Spaniard still managed to show some speed as he concluded his first world class season in a four-wheel drive car.
On his second ever visit to the Welsh forests, Suárez started cautiously, intent on not falling foul to the notoriously slippery and tricky stages.
Despite this he lost more than 15 minutes on SS4 when he slid into a ditch.
Even so the Spaniard determined to end his campaign with the Peugeot Rally Academy on a high note, Suárez hit the ground running.
He clocked up a sequence of third and fourth-fastest times, on level with those of the WRC2 pacesetters and was on the edge of a points finish.
Credit: Peugeot Sport Media
For the third and final leg, he failed to find the rhythm and confidence he had shown on Saturday and the result was a hard day.
He eventually finished 27th overall and 14th of the WRC2 runners 22 minutes off category winner Esapekka Lappi.
Even so, he was pleased with the experience and delighted for the opportunity given to him by the Peugeot Rally Academy team.
“The first leg was muddy and foggy which made the conditions very complex, but that’s precisely what we were expecting,” he reported.
“It was an extremely tough rally but I am happy to have spent the season with the Peugeot Rally Academy!
“I would like to thank all the members of the team with whom I was able to discover the WRC in ideal conditions. I am very proud to have been part of the squad.”
He admits that he has yet to fully sort out plans for next year, but Suárez is looking at his options for 2017.
“Now it’s time to start planning for 2017 and I’m already working on putting a programme together.”
