Rnd 7 Czech Rally Zlin Aug 26-28 talk/results spoiler*

[Weasel 555]

Next Rnd 7 : Barum Czech Rally Zlin (Asphalt) 26-28 Aug

http://eshop.czechrally.com/data/images-view/20101201135813_2010new.jpg

Crowds of up to 200,000 are treated to a rallying spectacular on what is regarded as one of the most difficult events on the IRC calendar due to the proliferation of high-speed blasts through forests and woodland, sections of broken Tarmac and the bumpy nature of some of the roads. Intermittent rain showers also prove a nuisance for the competing crews.

Official Website: czechrally.com/ (http://www.czechrally.com/index.php?lng=en)


.:D

[Weasel 555]

Betti unhurt following shakedown crash
Intercontinental Rally Challenge regulars Luca Betti and co-driver Maurizio Barone were unharmed following a heavy crash during shakedown for Barum Czech Rally Zlín this morning.

Driving a Peugeot 207 Super 2000, Betti got out of shape on a long, downhill right-hand bend, clipped a ditch and rolled close to the start of the 4.31-kilometre test near Napajedla, a short distance from the permanent service park in Otrokovice.

Damage to his car was extensive and it’s not clear whether or not he will be able to start the event. Shakedown was stopped for several minutes while Betti’s damaged car was recovered.

“We know there was one wheel off the car but until we complete a full check we cannot be sure of the situation,” said a spokesperson for Betti’s Kimera Motorsport team.

Shakedown took place in ambient temperatures of 36 degrees centigrade. No official times were available.

Read: ircseries.com/News=2940 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=2940)

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Strong shakedown effort boosts Kopecký
Jan Kopecký is full of confidence for Barum Czech Rally Zlín after a successful shakedown for the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier, which gets underway with a superspecial stage through the streets of the host city tonight (Friday).

Kopecký, the winner in Zlín back in 2009, will drive a factory ŠKODA Motorsport Fabia Super 2000 on the asphalt event with co-driver Petr Starý.

He said: “We did a few runs in shakedown and the car is working perfectly so no problems. I come to finish and try to have the same speed as last year and not to make any mistakes.”

Despite shakedown taking place in searing temperatures Kopecký said he would prefer a hot and dry event rather than the mixed conditions experienced last year.

“The weather today is too much for everyone but it will be better for everyone, especially for the Czech spectators that we have sun because this is the only week that has been quite stable without rain. It will be nice if it’s completely dry.”

Read: ircseries.com/News=2942 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=2942)

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Mikkelsen tops "perfect" shakedown in Zlín

A “perfect” shakedown has underlined Andreas Mikkeslen’s credentials as a potential winner of Barum Czech Rally Zlín, which gets underway with the first of 15 stages tonight (Friday).

Driving a ŠKODA UK Motorsport Fabia Super 2000, Mikkelsen and co-driver Ola Fløene set a fastest time of 2m16.9s over the 4.31-kilometre practice course near Napajedla, a short distance from the permanent service park in Otrokovice.

In high ambient temperatures of 36 degrees centigrade, Mikkelsen was 0.7s faster than his closest rival, the Czech ŠKODA driver Jan Kopecký. Intercontinental Rally Challenge leader Juho Hänninen was third fastest, 1.2s behind Mikkelsen with Peugeot UK’s Guy Wilks equaling Hänninen’s time in fourth. Czech Peugeot driver Pavel Valoušek was fifth with last year’s winner, Freddy Loix, sixth in his BFO-ŠKODA Rally Team Fabia.

“Shakedown today has gone perfectly,” said Mikkelsen. “We’ve tried a few different things with the car and now we have the best set-up option that we can have. I’m very happy and looking forward to the start of the event tonight.”

Shakedown was delayed after Luca Betti crashed heavily on his first run. Fortunately he and co-driver Maurizio Barone were uninjured.

Top 10 shakedown times

1 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 2m16.9s
2 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +0.7s
3 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1.2s
4 Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Peugeot 207 S2000) +1.2s
5 Pavel Valoušek/Zdeněk Hrůza (Peugeot 207 S2000) +1.3s
6 Freddy Loix/Frédéric Miclotte (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2.0s
7 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2.2s
8 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +2.3s
9 Roman Kresta/Petr Gross (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +3.0s
10 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +3.3s


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[Weasel 555]

Friday evening

SS1: Hänninen fastest on opening stage

Juho Hänninen leads Barum Czech Rally Zlín after winning the opening stage, SSS Zlín, a 9.36-kilometre three-lap charge around the host city’s central area.

Watched by 30,000 fans and held in ambient temperatures of 24 degrees centigrade, Hänninen, in a ŠKODA Motorsport Fabia Super 2000, was 0.5s faster than Andreas Mikkelsen in a ŠKODA UK Motorsport.

“It was okay at the start and got better and better with no problems,” said Hänninen the defending Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion.

Mikkelsen said: “I expected the time not to be the best because we had a longer gear ratio than the others.”

Local hero Jan Kopecký was third fastest in his factory Fabia. He said: “There were a couple of places where I could have pushed more but that would have been stupid.”

Guy Wilks was the leading Peugeot driver in fifth position with Thierry Neuville sixth and Bryan Bouffier seventh in their similar 207 S2000s.

Luca Betti, whose mechanics worked tirelessly to repair his damaged 207 following his crash in shakedown, said: “I’m just happy to be here. The okay is okay but the seat is a bit loose. It’s not easy.”

The event resumes on Saturday morning with the 8.89-kilometre Biskupice stage, which gets underway at 09:38hrs local time.

Overall positions after SS1

1 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 7m03.4s
2 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +0.5s
3 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1.1s
4 Freddy Loix/Frédéric Miclotte (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2.2s
5 Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Peugeot 207 S2000) +2.6s
6 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +5.3s
7 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +8.0s
8 Roman Kresta/Petr Gross (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +10.7s
9 Václav Pech/Petr Uhel (Ralliart Lancer Evolution IX R4) +12.6s
10 Pavel Valoušek/Zdeněk Hrůza (Peugeot 207 S2000) +12.6s

Read: ircseries.com/News=2955 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=2955)

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Saturday

Bouffier to start first on Saturday´s stages

Intercontinental Rally Challenge ace Bryan Bouffier will start Saturday’s eight stages first on the road at the wheel of his Peugeot France 207 Super 2000.

The Rallye Monte-Carlo winner, co-driven by Xavier Panseri, is set to be the first driver to tackle stage two, Biskupice, at 09:38hrs local time, following a 15-minute service halt in Otrokovice.

ŠKODA Motorsport’s Juho Hänninen will follow Bouffier through the 8.89-kilometre test with Freddy Loix two minutes further back in his BFO- ŠKODA Rally Team Fabia. Thierry Neuville (Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg) and Jan Kopecký complete the top five starters on section two of the opening day of Barum Czech Rally Zlín.

Of the 402.05 kilometres crews will cover today (Saturday), 133.40 will be in competitive conditions with a remaining 268.65 kilometres of liaison.

Top 10 starting positions for day one, section two

1 Bryan Bouffier (FRA)/Xavier Panseri (FRA) Peugeot 207 S2000
2 Juho Hänninen (FIN)/Mikko Markkula (FIN) ŠKODA Fabia S2000
3 Freddy Loix (BEL)/Frederic Miclotte (BEL) ŠKODA Fabia S2000
4 Thierry Neuville (BEL)/Nicolas Gilsoul (BEL) Peugeot 207 S2000
5 Jan Kopecký (CZE)/Petr Starý (CZE) SKODA Fabia S2000
6 Giandomenico Basso (ITA)/Mitia Dotta (ITA) PROTON Satria Neo S2000
7 Guy Wilks (GBR)/Phil Pugh (GBR) Peugeot 207 S2000
8 Andreas Mikkelsen (NOR)/Ola Fløene (NOR) ŠKODA Fabia S2000
9 Michał Sołowow (POL)/Maciej Baran (POL) M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000
10 Antonin Tlusták (CZE)/Jan Škaloud (CZE) ŠKODA Fabia S2000

Read: ircseries.com/News=2956 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=2956)

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SS2: Wilks fastest, Mikkelsen takes lead

Peugeot UK’s Guy Wilks has gone fastest on stage two of Barum Czech Rally Zlín as ŠKODA UK Motorsport’s Andreas Mikkelsen snatched the lead of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge round by a slender margin of 0.1s.

Wilks, in a Peugeot 207 Super 2000, was 1.7s faster than Czech hero Jan Kopecký, in a factory ŠKODA Motorsport Fabia.

“We’re feeling good and went to get into our rhythm, everything is fine,” said Wilks.

“It was quite okay,” said Kopecký, who edged Freddy Loix, in a BFO-ŠKODA Rally Team Fabia, by 0.2s. “We can go quicker but we try to make it step by step. The car is perfect.”

Loix added: “I had a good feeling and for the moment everything is okay.”

Behind fourth-placed Mikkelsen, Bryan Bouffer was fifth quickest with Thierry Neuville sixth. “I was a bit surprised with some bumpy parts but the car feels good, all is fine,” said Bouffier.

Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg’s Thierry Neuville was sixth fastest. He said: “It’s difficult, we have to make some changes to the set-up.”

Overnight leader Juho Hänninen hit trouble when he suffered front-left tyre deflation on the gravel section of the stage. “We had a big vibration so we have to check now,” said the ŠKODA Motorsport ace, who was 9.6s off the leading pace and has slipped to sixth in the overall standings.

The stage, which took crews from Ludovice to Biskupice, measured 8.89 kilometres in length.

Overall positions after SS2

1 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 11m46.9s
2 Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Peugeot 207 S2000) +0.1s
3 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +0.3s
4 Freddy Loix/Frédéric Miclotte (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1.6s
5 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +7.0s
6 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +7.1s
7 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +8.0s
8 Roman Kresta/Petr Gross (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +13.7s
9 Pavel Valoušek/Zdeněk Hrůza (Peugeot 207 S2000) +16.4s
10 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +24.0s

Read: ircseries.com/News=2962 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=2962)

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[Weasel 555]

SS3: Kopecký moves in front in Zlín

Jan Kopecký has completed the 12.95-kilometre Pindula stage on Barum Czech Rally Zlín with the fastest time in his ŠKODA Motorsport Fabia.

“This is one of the best stages, we were on the limit and the car is working well, I tried to push – we have to be 100 per cent concentrated on our work,” said the Czech driver, who has moved ahead of Andreas Mikkelsen into the overall lead.

Guy Wilks was second fastest in his Peugeot UK. “I was a little bit steady at the start but got a good rhythm,” said Wilks. “We know the pace is there, we just have to manage it.”

Peugeot France’s Bryan Bouffier was third fastest. He said: “It was not so bad, the stages are really tricky and we had some moments.”

ŠKODA UK's Mikkelsen led the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier overall after two stages but has dropped to third after posting the fourth fastest time. He said: “The car is going in the right direction so no problems. The feeling is very good and I’m getting used to the stages.”

Juho Hänninen said the “big vibration” he experienced on stage two was not a puncture but added that he was unsure what the exact problem was in his ŠKODA Motorsport Fabia.

Thierry Neuville continues to struggle with the handling of his Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg 207 and has slipped to seventh overall. “The car was better but I don’t feel like I should feel so I went a bit slow on that stage,” said Neuville.

A crash for Czech champion Pavel Valoušek has forced organisers to stop the stage after his co-driver, Zdeněk Hrůza, experienced pains in his back. Toni Gardemeister reported losing time trying to pass Valoušek’s stricken Peugeot.

Václav Pech is running with a 40-second time penalty after leaving service late while his mechanics rushed to change a broken front differential.

Overall positions after SS3

1 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 18m28.7s
2 Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Peugeot 207 S2000) +2.1s
3 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2.4s
4 Freddy Loix/Frédéric Miclotte (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +5.0s
5 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +10.1s
6 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +11.0s
7 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +20.5s
8 Roman Kresta/Petr Gross (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +24.5s
9 PG Andersson/Emil Axelsson (PROTON Satria Neo S2000) +45.2s
10 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +51.s

Read: ircseries.com/News=2963 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=2963)

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SS4: Kopecký heads close Zlín battle

Jan Kopecký has extended his lead on Barum Czech Rally Zlín by going fastest on the first run through the Troják stage, which at 28.69 kilometres is the longest of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier.

“The car is perfect, we did a really good job in testing so thanks to the engineers but there is still a long way to go,” said the ŠKODA Motorsport driver.

Andreas Mikkelsen (pictured) has climbed into second overall after going 0.1s slower than Kopecký through the stage in his ŠKODA UK Motorsport Fabia.

Juho Hänninen admitted at the stage finish that he could have gone faster after recording the third quickest time. “I’m still trying to find the rhythm after the morning part and I was quite careful in the narrow part but it was okay,” said the Finn.

Bryan Bouffier lost ground when he spun his Peugeot France 207: “I did a spin on the gravel part and I had to turn back,” said the Rallye Monte-Carlo winner, who was fourth fastest. “But my car is working very well, I tried to push.”

Freddy Loix said he lost time by running on soft compound tyres, which are better suited to cold and damp conditions rather than the hot and dry weather being experienced on the rally route. “It was okay on the first [shorter] stages okay but I had to back off on this longer one,” said Loix. “The car was moving a lot and I felt I was on the limit of the car.”

Guy Wilks completed the stage with a rear-left puncture on his Peugeot UK 207 and has slipped to third overall, albeit 11.5s behind leader Kopecký. He reported stiffening the settings of the car prior to the run.

Overall positions after SS4

1 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 18m28.7s
2 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2.5s
3 Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Peugeot 207 S2000) +11.5s
4 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +15.7s
5 Freddy Loix/Frédéric Miclotte (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +15.8s
6 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +16.4s
7 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +38.2s
8 Roman Kresta/Petr Gross (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +47.6s
9 PG Andersson/Emil Axelsson (PROTON Satria Neo S2000) +1m17.1s
10 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1m20.3s

Read: ircseries.com/News=2964 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=2964)

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SS5: Bouffier claims first stage win

Bryan Bouffier has won his first stage on Barum Czech Rally Zlín, round seven of the 11-event Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

“The car is working perfectly so I tried to push as hard as I can,” said the Peugeot France 207 driver, who has closed to within 12.5s of first position following his run through the 11.49-kilometre Semetín test.

Out front Jan Kopecký continues to lead despite reporting a scare when he suffered a “big moment” in his ŠKODA Motorsport Fabia. “We slowed down and lost time,” said the Czech.

Andreas Mikkelsen, who was 2.5s behind prior to the stage start, was unable to capitalise on Kopecký’s moment following his decision to use longer gear ratios. “They were not so suitable, I knew I would lose time,” said the ŠKODA UK driver, who is 5.9s clear of third-placed Guy Wilks in a Peugeot UK 207.

Defending Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Juho Hänninen, who was second fastest, said: “It has been okay, a little bit a problem on the first one with some vibration. I am still missing the rhythm – I hope the next loop is better.”

BFO-ŠKODA driver Freddy Loix, the winner in Zlín last season, reported his soft compound tyres were overheating towards the end of the stage. He was sixth fastest.

Thierry Neuville equaled Loix’s time in his Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg 207. “We changed again a lot on the car and now it has a better direction,” said Neuville. “We’ll maybe change the differential at service so maybe it will be more better.”

Giandomenico Basso spun his PROTON Motorsports’ Satria Neo S2000 one kilometer from the stage finish. He lost more time after stalling his car’s engine.

Roman Kresta completed the stage with a front-left puncture on his privateer ŠKODA, which he picked up seven kilometres from the end of the stage. The incident has cost the Czech more than one minute and has dropped him outside of the top 10.

Crews are now heading to a regroup and service halt in Otrokovice. Stage six, the repeat of the Biskupice run, gets underway at 15:00hrs local time.

Overall positions after SS5

1 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 18m28.7s
2 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +5.8s
3 Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Peugeot 207 S2000) +11.7s
4 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +12.5s
5 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +14.4s
6 Freddy Loix/Frédéric Miclotte (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +24.6s
7 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +47.0s
8 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1m25.7s
9 PG Andersson/Emil Axelsson (PROTON Satria Neo S2000) +1m30.2s
10 Michał Sołowow/Maciej Baran (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +1m51.6s

Read: ircseries.com/News=2965 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=2965)


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[Weasel 555]

SS6: Set-up changes boost Loix

Freddy Loix’s bid to win Barum Czech Rally Zlín for the second year in a row is back on track after he won stage six of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier.

By switching to a ‘harder’ set-up on his BFO-ŠKODA Rally Team Fabia, the Belgian reported that he was far happier with the handling of his car for the first repeated stage of the day. “We have gone for harder tyres and a harder set-up and things are much better,” said Loix, who is now 24.0s adrift of first place.

Jan Kopecký has extended his advantage over Andreas Mikkelsen to 10.4s despite admitting to being more conservative in his factory Fabia. “It’s a little bit rough and I don’t want to take any punctures so I did not risk anything,” said the Czech.

After completing this morning’s loop of stages 14.4s off the lead, Juho Hänninen was closer to the pace. “There were no vibrations, a much better start for the afternoon,” said the Finn after going third fastest.

Running at the head of the road Bryan Bouffier was fourth quickest in his Peugeot France 207. He said: “The road was a bit more dirty for the second pass and it was easy to make a mistake.”

Thierry Neuville dropped more than 30 seconds going off the road in his Team Peugeot-Belgium Luxembourg 207. “We went off in sixth gear and the car took a jump 90 degrees to the road,” explained Neuville. “We went out for 80 metres and there were a lot little trees that are no more there.”

Overall positions after SS6

1 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 45m31.9s
2 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +10.4s
3 Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Peugeot 207 S2000) +14.9s
4 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +15.5s
5 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +16.2s
6 Freddy Loix/Frédéric Miclotte (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +24.0s
7 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +1m20.4s
8 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1m31.0s
9 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +2m00.0s
10 PG Andersson/Emil Axelsson (PROTON Satria Neo S2000) +2m00.7s

Read: ircseries.com/News=2971 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=2971)

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SS7: Hänninen shows his pace in Zlín

Intercontinental Rally Challenge leader Juho Hänninen has set a rapid pace on the seventh stage of Barum Czech Rally Zlín.

Driving a ŠKODA Motorsport Fabia Super 2000, the Finn was 0.8s faster than his closest rival through the 12.95-kilometre stage to climb from fifth to third in the overall standings, 12.3s adrift of team-mate and leader Jan Kopecký.

“I changed a bit on the car in the service area and now I feel I can push more,” said Hänninen.

Andreas Mikkelsen, who was second fastest through the stage, is now 7.3s behind Kopecký following a “big push”. The ŠKODA UK Motorsport driver said: “I made a mistake in the previous stage so I’m on a big push now.”

Kopecký, who was fourth fastest, said he was surprised at the pace of his Fabia-driving rivals: “We lost a little bit of time so we need to come back to our speed,” he said. “I am quite surprised at the pace of the others.”

Freddy Loix was third quickest and is now 4.8s behind Guy Wilks who has dropped to fifth in the overall standings behind Bryan Bouffier.

Giandomenico Basso suffered a right-rear puncture on his PROTON Satria Neo.

Overall positions after SS7

1 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 52m13.0s
2 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +7.3s
3 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +12.3s
4 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +16.0s
5 Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Peugeot 207 S2000) +18.1s
6 Freddy Loix/Frédéric Miclotte (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +22.9s
7 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +1m28.6s
8 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1m43.7s
9 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +2m10.3s
10 PG Andersson/Emil Axelsson (PROTON Satria Neo S2000) +2m12.0s

Read: ircseries.com/News=2972 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readnews.asp?id=2972)

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SS8: Punctures slow Mikkelsen, Wilks

A disastrous eighth stage has dropped Andreas Mikkelsen and Guy Wilks out of contention for victory on Barum Czech Rally Zlín after they both picked up rear punctures.

Mikkelsen, who was a strong second before the stage, reported his deflation occurred 15 kilometres into the 28.69-kilometre test. After stopping to change the damaged tyre, the ŠKODA UK Motorsport driver is now 1m54.3s off the lead of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge event. “I have no clue where it came from,” said Mikkelsen.

Wilks started the stage in fifth overall but has slipped outside of the top 10 as a result of his delay. “It was my fault completely,” said Wilks. “There was a little bit of gravel and I was pushing on because the car was not behaving as much as I wanted it to. I knew I would haemorrhage time but I was trying to stem the flow. But I slid wide and hit the back wheel.”

Freddy Loix and Jan Kopecký were equal fastest through the stage in their ŠKODA Fabias. It means Kopecký’s lead is now 21.3s over team-mate and new second-placed driver Juho Hänninen, who endured a troubled stage, stalling his engine in a gravel section and suffering a front-left puncture nearing the end of the run.

Hänninen is 1.4s ahead of Bryan Bouffier, who reported the stage being “very slippery”, while Loix has closed to within 0.2s of Bouffier.

Thierry Neuville has moved up to fifth in his Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg 207. “We tried to get a good rhythm but with our crash we lost a little bit the power of the engine so the mechanics will need to repair it in service,” said Neuville.

PG Andersson went into a field after overshooting a square-right junction in his PROTON Motorsports Satria Neo S2000. He has slipped behind Roman Kresta in the overall standings as a result.

Overall positions after SS8

1 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 52m13.0s
2 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +21.3s
3 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +22.7s
4 Freddy Loix/Frédéric Miclotte (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +22.9s
5 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +1m43.0s
6 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1m54.3s
7 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2m13.6s
8 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +2m25.2s
9 Roman Kresta/Petr Gross (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2m35.4s
10 PG Andersson/Emil Axelsson (PROTON Satria Neo S2000) +2m38.4s

Read: ircseries.com/News=2973 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readnews.asp?id=2973)



.:cool:

[Weasel 555]

SS9: Loix equal on time with Hänninen

Freddy Loix has moved ahead of Bryan Bouffier into third place and equal on time with Juho Hänninen in the battle for second position on Barum Czech Rally Zlín after he won the ninth stage of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier.

Loix, in a BFO-ŠKODA Rally Team Fabia, was 1.6s faster than Hänninen through the 11.49-kilometre stage. Along with the ŠKODA Motorsport driver he trails leader Jan Kopecký by 19.7s at the completion of day one.

Kopecký was third fastest through the stage, 0.7s quicker than the time recorded by Bryan Bouffier in a Peugeot France 207. Guy Wilks, who is recovering from the puncture he suffered on the previous stage, was fifth fastest, with Kronos Racing team-mate Thierry Neuville sixth quickest.

Crews are now returning to service in Otrokovice ahead of the overnight halt in Zlín.

Overall positions after SS9

1 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 1h14m28.0s
2 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +19.7s
3 Freddy Loix/Frédéric Miclotte (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +19.7s
4 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +23.4s
5 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +1m51.3s
6 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2m09.5s
7 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2m25.5s
8 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +2m32.1s
9 Roman Kresta/Petr Gross (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2m46.0s
10 PG Andersson/Emil Axelsson (PROTON Satria Neo S2000) +2m50.2s

Read: ircseries.com/News=2974 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=2974)

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Kopecký leads in Zlín after opening day thriller

Jan Kopecký has completed a thrilling opening day of Barum Czech Rally Zlín with a lead of 19.7s over ŠKODA Motorsport team-mate and defending Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Juho Hänninen.

The Czech moved in front on stage three and was able to open up a slight advantage when his closest challenger, Andreas Mikkelsen, suffered a rear puncture on the event’s eighth stage. The ŠKODA UK driver has slipped back to sixth overall as a result of his costly delay.

Hänninen was out of sorts in the morning but a handful of changes to his car in service revived his fortunes in the afternoon.

Freddy Loix also struggled in the morning by running soft compound tyres and softer settings on his Fabia, which weren’t suited to the hot conditions. Like Hänninen set-up changes at midday service transformed his pace.

Peugeot France’s Bryan Bouffier is fourth overall with Thierry Neuville surviving an off-road moment to hold fifth in his Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg 207. Toni Gardemeister, Craig Breen, Roman Kresta and PROTON Motorsports’ PG Andersson complete the top 10.

Guy Wilks was another driver to suffer a costly puncture and has slipped back from a potential podium position to outside the top 10 in his Peugeot UK entry.

Czech champion Pavel Valoušek suffered a broken arm when he crashed heavily on stage three. Yokohama-backed Subaru driver Fumio Nutahara also crashed out.

Read: ircseries.com/news=2975 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readnews.asp?id=2975)

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Barum Rally Zlin Photos: ircseries.com/Gallery_Zlin (http://www.ircseries.com/html/Gallery_Details.asp?id=38)


.:cool:

[Weasel 555]

Sunday Day 2

SS10: Kopecký slows, Bouffier crashes

There was drama on Sunday morning’s opening stage when leader Jan Kopecký suffered powersteering failure in his ŠKODA Fabia, while Bryan Bouffier damaged his Peugeot 207 going off the road.

Kopecký began the stage with an advantage of 19.7s but his lead is now down to 5.6s over fellow ŠKODA driver Freddy Loix, who was second quickest through the stage held on damp roads following overnight rain.

With two more stages until service in Otrokovice, Kopecký is expected to lose even more time. “I am out of powersteering so we will see,” said Kopecký. “I don’t know if I can survive the next two stages, I’m definitely losing the first place and maybe the podium.”

Juho Hänninen was 0.6s slower than Loix through the test and drops into third place on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge event. The Finn heads the drivers’ standings after winning three rounds of the series so far this year.

Bryan Bouffier, who started the stage in fourth overall, went off the road two kilometres from the stage finish. Thierry Neuville, who was running behind him on the road, reported the Peugeot France car had lost a wheel striking a boulder.

Neuville was satisfied with his performance in his Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg 207 after setting a time 4.5s slower than Loix: “For me it was quite okay, the set-up was better.”

Andreas Mikkelsen, who has moved up to fifth, was fastest through the stage in his ŠKODA UK Motorsport Fabia.

Guy Wilks has moved into the top 10 in his Peugeot 207, one place behind PROTON Satria Neo driver PG Andersson. Craig Breen is up to seventh in his M-Sport Ford Fiesta.

Overall positions after SS10

1 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 1h27m10.6s
2 Freddy Loix/Frédéric Miclotte (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +5.6s
3 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +6.2s
4 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +1m40.0s
5 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1m53.7s
6 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2m26.9s
7 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +2m45.1s
8 Roman Kresta/Petr Gross (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2m54.3s
9 PG Andersson/Emil Axelsson (PROTON Satria Neo S2000) +3m02.0s
10 Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Peugeot 207 S2000) +3m13.3s

Read: ircseries.com/News=2990 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=2990)

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SS11: Mikkelsen sets the pace in Zlín

Andreas Mikkelsen continues to impress on Barum Czech Rally Zlín as he recovers from the puncture that denied him a shot at victory on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge event.

Mikkelsen, in a ŠKODA UK Motorsport Fabia Super 2000, was fastest through Sunday’s first test and has repeated the feat on the 10.48-kilometre Kudlovice stage, despite reporting that he braked too late for a junction.

Out front, Freddy Loix has narrowed Jan Kopecký’s overall lead to 3.7s with the second fastest time through the Kudlovice stage in his BFO-ŠKODA Fabia.

Kopecký has been able to carry out running repairs to his car’s powersteering after the system faltered on the previous stage. However, he was unable to prevent his Belgian rival from taking more time out of him in the thrilling battle for victory.

Juho Hänninen, the Intercontinental Rally Challenge leader, was 1.2s slower than Loix through the test. He is 5.5s off top spot.

Overall positions after SS11

1 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 1h27m10.6s
2 Freddy Loix/Frédéric Miclotte (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +3.7s
3 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +5.5s
4 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +1m39.3s
5 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1m51.6s
6 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2m32.5s
7 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +2m51.8s
8 Roman Kresta/Petr Gross (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +3m01.5s
9 PG Andersson/Emil Axelsson (PROTON Satria Neo S2000) +3m09.9s
10 Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Peugeot 207 S2000) +3m14.5s

Read: ircseries.com/News=2991 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=2991)

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SS12: Loix closes on lead with stage win

The battle for victory on Barum Czech Rally Zlín has intensified after Freddy Loix slashed Jan Kopecký’s overall lead to one second with three stages of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge event remaining.

Loix was 2.7s faster than the Czech driver through the 24.37-kilometre Halenkovice stage. He said: “I’m pushing and trying to make no mistakes. It’s going quite okay and I will try to keep this speed.”

Kopecký said his car was “working very well” after he repaired the powersteering glitch that hampered him on the day’s first stage by bypassing the oil cooler to the powersteering pump. “We need to fix it in service – it’s going to be an interesting battle to the end,” he said.

Juho Hänninen, in third overall, lost time when the rear of his ŠKODA Fabia began to lose grip in the forest section of the stage. “It was not good,” he said. “I thought I had a puncture because I lost the rear a few times. I did not have the feeling any more. It’s bad.”

ŠKODA UK’s Andreas Mikkelsen’s bid to pass Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg’s Thierry Neuville faltered when he overshot a junction and had to reverse.

Craig Breen, in an M-Sport Ford Fiesta, set the fourth fastest time in his efforts to close on sixth-placed Toni Gardemeister.

PROTON Motorsports’ PG Andersson suffered a spin and reported that either a rear differential or propshaft had broken nearing the end of the run. He drops to 10th in the overall standings.

Guy Wilks has moved into eighth place after going fourth fastest through the stage in his Peugeot UK 207.

Crews are now heading to the mid-morning service halt in Otrokovice.

Overall positions after SS12

1 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 1h45m35.1s
2 Freddy Loix/Frédéric Miclotte (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1.0s
3 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +10.2s
4 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +1m53.9s
5 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2m11.4s
6 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2m53.6s
7 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +3m05.7s
8 Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Peugeot 207 S2000) +3m21.3s
9 Roman Kresta/Petr Gross (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +3m28.1s
10 PG Andersson/Emil Axelsson (PROTON Satria Neo S2000) +3m47.3s

Read: ircseries.com/News=2992 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=2992)


.:cool:

[Weasel 555]

Bouffier still hopeful of IRC title despite crash

Bryan Bouffier has described the moment when his Barum Czech Rally Zlín came to a dramatic end two kilometres from the finish of Sunday’s opening stage.

Bouffier, in a Peugeot France 207 S2000, was dicing for a podium finish when he left the road and struck a boulder.

“I was trying, doing my best when I went off, hit a boulder and broke off two wheels,” said the Rallye Monte-Carlo winner. “For sure I’m very disappointed but this is the race and I was trying to keep my position and also fight the guys in front of me.”

Bouffier’s early exit has hit his hopes of capturing the Intercontinental Rally Challenge title at the end of the season. However, he is refusing to give up hope.

“For sure we needed good points and the result this weekend is very bad,” said the 32-year-old. “But there are still some races left.”

Bouffier returns to IRC action on the Canon Mecsek Rallye in Hungary, a new addition to the IRC calendar from 9-11 September.

Read: ircseries.com/News=2993 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=2993)

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Loix not expecting team orders in Zlín
Freddy Loix doesn’t expect tactics to be deployed on Barum Czech Rally Zlín as he bids to prevent local hero Jan Kopecký from winning his first Intercontinental Rally Challenge event of the season.


The factory ŠKODA drivers are one second apart heading into the final loop of three stages with Kopecký just ahead. Loix won in Zlín last season when Kopecký crashed out of first place.

“I hope there won’t be tactics because I am fighting for the championship,” said Loix, who began the event 13 points behind Juho Hänninen, currently in third place after 12 stages. “I have to fight against Juho and I have to fight against Jan. It’s too early in the season for tactics.”

Czech manufacturer ŠKODA is on course to emulate the podium lockout it recorded in Zlín in 2010 following a dominant display on the asphalt round. Loix won June’s GEKO Ypres Rally but Kopecký hasn’t taken victory in the IRC since his first place finish on Rally Islas Canarias El Corte Inglés in May 2010.

The next stage, the repeat of the famous Maják test, which is back on the itinerary for the first time in 20 years, gets underway at 12:12hrs local time. The stage totals 22.69 kilometres.

Read: ircseries.com/News=2994 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=2994)

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SS13: Mikkelsen on a charge in Zlín

Andreas Mikkelsen has set a blistering pace on stage 13 of Barum Czech Rally Zlín to close to within 12.1s of fourth-placed Thierry Neuville. Mikkelsen, in a ŠKODA UK Motorsport Fabia, was 5.4s faster than the Belgian through the 22.69-kilometre stage. Neuville posted the second-quickest time.

“We were maximum, we need to try,” said Mikkelsen afterwards.

In the battle for victory, Jan Kopecký has extended his lead over Freddy Loix to 1.7s despite fearing he would lose time in the stage.

“I used hard compound tyres and in the first downhill it was not so nice because it was very slippery,” said the Czech. “Also we did not have time to change to the longer ratio gearbox in service because we had to repair the powersteering. Freddy changed to the longer version and I think he’ll have more speed than me.”

Loix, who was actually 0.7s slower than Kopecký, said: “I was on the limit and it’s going okay. I had some hot moments and I can’t do more.”

Intercontinental Rally Challenge title leader Juho Hänninen has all but conceded victory. He remains in third position, 16.6s behind Kopecký. “I’m coming steadily now, Kopecký is going very fast,” said the Finn.

Guy Wilks has retired after his Peugeot UK 207 suffered a snapped alternator belt. His misfortune has promoted Estonian teenager Karl Kruuda into 10th position.

Overall positions after SS13

1 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 1h57m52.3s
2 Freddy Loix/Frédéric Miclotte (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1.7s
3 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +16.6s
4 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +1m53.7s
5 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2m05.8s
6 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +3m03.5s
7 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +3m20.1s
8 Roman Kresta/Petr Gross (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +3m42.0s
9 PG Andersson/Emil Axelsson (PROTON Satria Neo S2000) +4m07.7s
10 Karl Kruuda/Martin Järveoja (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +4m19.0s

Read: ircseries.com/News=2995 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=2995)



.:cool:

[Weasel 555]

SS14: Loix fighting hard for rally lead

Despite a “big push” on the 10.48-kilometre Kudlovice test Freddy Loix has been unable to close the gap to leader Jan Kopecký heading into the final stage of Barum Czech Rally Zlín.

Loix was 0.3s slower than his fellow ŠKODA Fabia driver and is now 2.0s behind with one stage of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier left to run. “I had a big push and we are quite on the limit,” said Loix.

In the fight for fourth place Andreas Mikkelsen has closed to within 11.0s of Thierry Neuville after posting the fastest stage time in his ŠKODA UK Motorsport Fabia. Neuville, the surviving front-running Peugeot 207 driver, is intent on reaching the finish and admitted to being a little cautious as a result.

Toni Gardemeister was 0.8s faster than the chasing Craig Breen but after being handed a 10-second penalty on the previous stage, the Finn’s advantage over his Irish rival is down to 7.1s.

Overall positions after SS14

1 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 2h03m15.4s
2 Freddy Loix/Frédéric Miclotte (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2.0s
3 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +21.1s
4 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +1m54.1s
5 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2m05.1s
6 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +3m21.9s
7 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +3m29.0s
8 Roman Kresta/Petr Gross (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +3m50.2s
9 PG Andersson/Emil Axelsson (PROTON Satria Neo S2000) +4m18.5s
10 Karl Kruuda/Martin Järveoja (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +4m28.0s

Read: ircseries.com/News=2996 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=2996)

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SS15: Loix wins stage, Kopecký wins rally

Freddy Loix has won the final stage of Barum Czech Rally Zlín but it wasn’t enough to beat home hero Jan Kopecký to first place on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier.

Kopecký was 0.8s slower than Loix through the stage but held on to win by 1.2s, the closest finish in the history of the IRC.

“We were quicker than in the first pass and we tried our best without taking big risks because we wanted to come to the finish,” said the ŠKODA Motorsport driver.

Loix said: “It was fantastic and we’ve been pushing flat out. We enjoyed it but this was a very tricky rally.”

Thierry Neuville held on for fourth place despite Andreas Mikkelsen posting a faster stage time than him through the 24.37-kilometre Halenkovice stage. Toni Gardemeister maintained his grip on sixth place although Craig Breen was able to trim his advantage to 4.2s.

Overall positions after SS15

1 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 2h15m51.7s
2 Freddy Loix/Frédéric Miclotte (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1.2s
3 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +37.4s
4 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +1m59.6s
5 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2m05.7s
6 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +3m43.2s
7 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +3m47.4s
8 Roman Kresta/Petr Gross (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +4m21.5s
9 PG Andersson/Emil Axelsson (PROTON Satria Neo S2000) +4m41.1s
10 Karl Kruuda/Martin Järveoja (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +4m54.4s

Read: ircseries.com/news=2997 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readnews.asp?id=2997)

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Kopecký wins in Zlín after closest IRC finish

Jan Kopecký has claimed his first victory in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge for more than a year after triumphing on a thrilling Barum Czech Rally Zlín.

The ŠKODA Motorsport ace, roared on by thousands of his home fans, began the final stage two seconds in front of fellow Fabia driver Freddy Loix.

Despite Loix’s best efforts – the Belgian was quicker through the closing test – Kopecký was able to hold on to first place by a margin of 1.2s over his Belgian rival, the closest finish in the history of the IRC.

Juho Hänninen finished third in his Fabia to make it a ŠKODA podium lockout but his title lead over Kopecký has been trimmed to three points with four IRC rounds remaining.

“We were quicker than in the first pass and we tried our best without taking big risks because we wanted to come to the finish,” said the ŠKODA Motorsport driver. “It would have been stupid to make a mistake because we have a lot of fans here. It was an exciting finish and I would like to thank all my friends and family.”

Thierry Neuville was the leading Peugeot finisher in fourth following a close fight with ŠKODA UK’s Andreas Mikkelen who finished fifth. Toni Gardemeister took sixth ahead of Irishman Craig Breen.

Roman Kresta was eighth with PG Andersson claiming his first IRC points in ninth in his works PROTON Satria Neo S2000. Estonian teenager Karl Kruuda claimed the final point in 10th.

Read: ircseries.com/news=2998 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readnews.asp?id=2998)

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Barum Rally Zlin Photos: ircseries.com/Gallery_Zlin (http://www.ircseries.com/html/Gallery_Details.asp?id=38)

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Next Rnd: 8. Mecsek Rallye Hungary - Asphalt

http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae140/Weasel_555/WRCRallyResults/WRC%202011/MecsekRally2011.png

Having enjoyed IRC Supporter Event status in the past, Hungary’s Mecsek Rallye will become a fully-fledged round of the series for the first time in 2011. Based in the town of Pecs – the 2010 European Capital of Culture – in the south-west of the country, the rally is one of Hungary´s most famous and well established and will run for a 44th time in 2011.

Official Website: irc.mecsekrallye.hu/en/ (http://irc.mecsekrallye.hu/en/)


. :D