Ricardo Cordero will make history by becoming the first driver to enter a Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale on an event outside Europe when he starts this month’s Rally Colorado.
The Mexican driver took delivery of the Lancia earlier this week and will test it for the first time close to his team’s base in San Luis Potosi on Saturday. Cordero is one of the most successful drivers to run Stellantis machinery, having won nine domestic and regional titles at the wheel of a Citroën.
The pursuit of further silverware will now be taken up with one of rallying’s most famous brands.
“We’ve been with Citroën for so many years,” Cordero told DirtFish. “They’ve been great to us. We’ve had two cars and the C3 has been with us for six years – and we’ve only had two DNFs in that time. We’re very happy with what they’re (Stellantis Motorsport) doing and the Lancia is a step-on.
“When we got the opportunity to get an Ypsilon Rally2, I just made the decision to go for it. Lancia has such a long history in rallying, it’s still the most successful manufacturer in the sport’s history. We grew up watching Group B videos with Lancias in and that’s part of that history. That’s another reason why we chose to go with them.
“What’s also really important is that we’re the first team anywhere in America, including South America, to run one of these cars – we’re the first to have the Ypsilon HF Integrale outside of Europe. That’s the level of trust Lancia has placed on us – that makes me proud.
The program
For a man who’s won the Canadian, Mexican and NACAM title – as well as enjoying ARA event-winning success – Cordero is used to traversing the continent. That’s about to change as he focuses his attention on the American Rally Association National Championship.
“We’re going to do Colorado,” he said, “then we’re going to take the car back to Mexico for the rest of the NACAM series before we come back for Overmountain Rally and LSPR, the final round of ARA.
“When we come back for Overmountain, the car will stay in America – we’re doing the full ARA next year. I’ve done the full Canadian Rally Championship, and obviously at home in Mexico and NACAM, but America and ARA is the last country I haven’t done the full series.
“ARA is good, it’s looking strong with Toyota coming. It’s going to be very hard to fight with the factory-backed teams, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Cordero has strengthened his challenge with Proworx running the Lancia in Colorado. Ten-time Canadian champion Antoine L’Estage will also work with the team.
Cordero's car will be run by Proworx in Colorado
Proworx owner Dan Anctil said: “It was Antoine who introduced me to Ricardo at the Olympus Rally earlier this year. Ricardo and Antoine both have a lot of experience in North America and a really good relationship with the brand. I want to be the team that presents the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale for the first time in North America, but at the same time we’re walking into this one.
“I think it’s fair to say we’re looking at Colorado as an extended test. There’s only time for three runs at shakedown, so we have to be realistic on what to expect from Ricardo’s first time in the car. We’re bringing an engineer out from Europe to help make sure everything is comfortable with the car.”
Anctil’s Proworx squad made a strong debut in Washington, where Brandon Semenuk led Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala after the opening Olympus stage. The Ford Fiesta Rally2 hit transmission trouble later in the event, but leading the 18-time World Rally winner’s factory Corolla Rally RC2 was something of a statement.
“I wanted to make a splash right off,” said Antcil, “and Brandon against Jari-Matti was a great dive into the deep end of team ownership.”
