Nikolay Gryazin delivered a strong performance at Rally Chile, driving a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, finishing in second place in the WRC2 category. The result keeps his hopes alive for the WRC2 Challenger title, despite not achieving the all-important victory. Meanwhile, other Škoda crews displayed mixed fortunes but generally competitive pace in both WRC2 and the WRC Masters Cup.

Gryazin and Aleksandrov Start Strong in Chile

From the outset, Gryazin and his co-driver Konstantin Aleksandrov showed they meant business. They clocked fastest times in two of the opening special stages, grabbing the early WRC2 lead. The momentum seemed with them. The competition — notably from Škoda teammates and rivals Oliver Solberg and Emil Lindholm — was pushing, but Gryazin’s pace and rhythm placed him in prime contention.

A Costly Mistake Delays His Charge

In the third stage, however, things shifted. A driving error caused Gryazin to slide off line, costing him crucial seconds. That mistake dropped him behind eventual winner Oliver Solberg and Lindholm, both also driving Škodas. Though initially not catastrophic, the deficit quickly widened.

As Rally Chile progressed into Saturday’s loop, Gryazin was attempting to claw back time, pushing hard. But the slip in the third stage had left a gap — almost half a minute — by the time drivers reconvened for the middle stages of the loop. Efforts to launch renewed attacks toward the final day fell short, and while the margin narrowed slightly in some sectors, it was never enough to reach the lead.

Impact on WRC2 Challenger and Teams Standings

While Gryazin didn’t win, the second place was still precious. It preserves his odds in the WRC2 Challenger title race. With just a handful of rounds remaining, every point matters. His performance also helped Toksport WRT rise in the WRC2 Teams’ classification.

Gus Greensmith, another Škoda driver, suffered technical issues during the opening leg. He later rejoined under Rally2 rules but his chances were effectively ended by that disruption. Lindholm fared better in terms of consistency, but a run-off in a later stage after re-entering, plus time losses, undermined his bid.

Other Škoda Crews: Promise & Problems

Beyond Gryazin’s podium, several other Škoda entries delivered notable efforts:

• Jorge Martínez was the top local driver, securing fourth place in the WRC2 standings.

• Fabrizio Zaldivar from Paraguay claimed fifth place, continuing to show good pace.

• Martín Scuncio from Argentina, driving an older model Fabia Rally2 evo, rounded out the top eight.

In total, Škoda drivers filled four of the top ten WRC2 positions in Chile. Not flawless — some were plagued by reliability concerns or mishaps — but clearly competitive.

Masters Cup: Granados & Martí Dominate

In the WRC Masters Cup (drivers over fifty years old), Mexico’s Miguel Granados together with Spanish co-driver Marc Martí controlled the event in their Fabia RS Rally2. Martí secured the co-drivers’ title in the Masters Cup ahead of schedule, while Granados claimed the lead in the drivers’ standings. Their dominance speaks to Škoda’s strength across categories.

Where This Leaves the Title Chase

With Rally Chile now in the books, Gryazin remains in the chase for the WRC2 Challenger crown. A win would have made his path much clearer, but second place means he still has a foot in the door. For rivals like Solberg and Lindholm, their performances bolster their own challenges — especially with reliability and stage consistency still looming as critical factors.

As the season moves toward its final rounds, expect the margin for error to shrink. Gryazin and team need to maintain pace, avoid mistakes, and manage reliability. If he can combine those with smart tactics, the WRC2 Challenger title remains within reach.