Rnd 10- Rally Scotland Oct 7-9 talk/results spoiler*

[Weasel 555]

Next Rnd 10 - RACMSA Rally of Scotland Scotland - Gravel / 07-09 Oct

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Using gravel stages through closed-forest roads in the centre of Scotland, the event is known for its endless crests, climbs and descents, sharp drops, tight junctions, off-camber corners and tree-lined straights. With uncertain weather conditions adding to the challenge, the rally tests the skills of the crews to the limit.

Official Website: msaevents.co.uk/rallyofscotland/ (http://www.msaevents.co.uk/rallyofscotland/index.php)

Rally Radio: rallyradio.com/Listen_live (http://www.rallyradio.com/RallyRadio/Listen_live.html)



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[Weasel 555]

McRae on a high for IRC homecoming

Alister McRae will start RACMSA Rally of Scotland on a high following his heroic performance on Japan’s round of the Asia Pacific championship last weekend where he finished second to move to the top of the drivers’ standings with one event remaining.

McRae, from Lanark in Scotland, competes in the APRC for the same PROTON Motorsports team that he will represent on his home round of the IRC this weekend.

“Rally Hokkaido was a bit of a double-edged sword, really,” said the 40-year-old McRae, who finished third in Scotland in 2009. “We were really disappointed not to win the event, we had the speed with the car until we got the puncture, but then we finished second in APRC, which was enough for us to lead the championship with one round to go. But now, the focus is on Scotland. We had a good finish here a couple of years ago, when we finished second in the PROTON. The competition is going to be really tough, there’s a good, quality entry for the rally.”

McRae, who will be co-driven by Australian Bill Hayes, hasn’t competed on home soil since his outing on Rally of Scotland last October.

“It’s always nice to come home to compete again,” said McRae, the younger brother of rallying legend Colin. “And it’s good to come home with plenty of competitive seat time in the Satria Neo.”

Click: ircseries.com/news=3146 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readnews.asp?id=3146)

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[Weasel 555]

Peugeot´s Bouffier tops Scotland shakedown

Bryan Bouffier’s bid to win his second Intercontinental Rally Challenge event this season has got off to a promising start after the Peugeot France driver went fastest in shakedown for the penultimate round of the series, RACMSA Rally of Scotland, near Perth this evening.

Bouffier, who is co-driven by fellow Frenchman Xavier Panseri, clocked a time of 2m09.9s through the practice stage in forests close to Scone Palace in his 207 Super 2000. Guy Wilks, in his Peugeot UK-backed entry, was second fastest, 0.2s slower than Bouffier with Thierry Neuville third quickest at the wheel of his Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg 207. The Rallye Sanremo winner set a time of 2m10.4s.

Jarkko Nikara, from Finland, marked himself out as a contender for IRC Production Cup honours by going fourth quickest in his Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer. Jean-Michel Raoux, who is chasing IRC 2WD Cup honours in Scotland, was seventh fastest.

Irishman Robert Barrable was the leading ŠKODA Fabia S2000 driver in fifth. IRC returnee Burcu Çetinkaya, in a similar Fabia, was sixth.

Having tested in Scotland earlier this week, ŠKODA Motorsport elected not to take part in shakedown with its factory drivers Juho Hänninen and Jan Kopecký. ŠKODA UK Motorsport’s Andreas Mikkelsen also decided not to tackle shakedown, having been satisfied with the set-up developed during testing on Monday and Tuesday of this week.

The competitive action gets underway with the first of 15 stages on Friday evening.

Top 10 shakedown times

1 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) 2m09.9s
2 Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Peugeot 207 S2000) 2m10.1s
3 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) 2m10.4s
4 Jarkko Nikkara/Petri Nikara (Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) 2m10.7s
5 Robert Barrable/Damien Connolly (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 2m16.0s
6 Burcu Çetinkaya/Çiçek Güney (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 2m34.3s
7 Jean-Michel Raoux/Laurent Magat (Renault Clio R3) 2m36.1s
8 Jussi Kumpumaki (M-Sport Ford Fiesta) 2m41.3s
9 Arman Smailov/Audrey Rusov (Subaru Impreza) 2m43.4s
10 Marco Cavigioli/Monica Fortunato (Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) 2m44.7s

Click: ircseries.com/news=3164 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readnews.asp?id=3164)


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IRC Production Cup preview: Arai to fly high?

With title leader Florian Gonon not including RACMSA Rally of Scotland on his schedule of events this season, Toshi Arai will be one of the favourites to capitalise on the Swiss driver’s absence.

Driving a Yokohama-supported Subaru Impreza R4 STI the Japanese is possibly the most experienced drivers on the entry, and arrives in Scotland on the back of his victory on Rally Hokkaido in his homeland last weekend.

Arai has never competed on the high-speed forest roads in Perthshire and Stirlingshire but is expected to run at the front alongside Australian co-driver Dale Moscatt.

“Toshi is much more at home on gravel and likes fast and flowing stages,” said a team spokesperson. “He had a great result in Hokkaido last week and that will have really got his confidence up.”

To win, Arai will have to overcome strong opposition, which includes his team-mate Fumio Nutahara, David Bogie, who recently added the British title Scottish crown he won earlier in the year in his Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, Welsh driver Jason Pritchard (Impreza WRX STI) and Italian Ralliart exponent Marco Cavigioli.

Young Finnish star Jarkko Nikara will also be a contender for victory in his Lancer. Arman Smailov, from Kazakhstan is an unknown quantity in his Subaru.

Click: ircseries.com/News=3168 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=3168)

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IRC 2WD Cup preview: Raoux to hit back

After failing to get to grips with the tight and twisty asphalt stages on the last round in Sanremo, Jean-Michel Raoux will be aiming to get his IRC 2WD Cup title bid back on track having slipped behind Stefano Albertini in the standings.

Albertini, from Italy, won’t be competing in Scotland due to funding restrictions so Raoux will be looking to take advantage in his Clio R3. With a coefficient scoring system of 1.5 in operation in Scotland, Raoux could gain a sizeable advantage over his rival.

While the veteran Frenchman has never competed on RACMSA Rally of Scotland before he does have ample experience of driving on loose surfaces having been a regular in the French gravel championship over the years.

Defending champion Harry Hunt, from London, and fellow Briton John MacCrone will also be contenders for category honours, as will the Honda Civic Type R trio of Martin Kangur, Janos Puskadi and Scottish youngster Graeme Schoneville, who is stepping up to a Civic Type R for his international rally debut.

MacCrone has been touted as a future champion and will be anxious to impress alongside co-driver and fellow Scot Stuart Loudon.

Australian Molly Taylor, in an M-Sport Fiesta R2, is an established gravel driver and will pose a threat, as will Irishman Mark Donnelly.


Click: ircseries.com/News=3169 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=3169)


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Bouffier to open the road in Scotland

Peugeot France driver Bryan Bouffier will start first on the road on the opening two stages of RACMSA Rally of Scotland, round 10 of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, tonight (Friday).

The Rallye Monte-Carlo winner, who is co-driven by Xavier Panseri, will leave the start at Stirling Castle at 19:00hrs local time tonight (Friday) in his 207 Super 2000.

Jan Kopecký, the IRC title leader, will go second in his ŠKODA Motorsport Fabia with Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg’s Thierry Neuville third on the road. Crews will run in two-minute gaps.

The opening stage, Carron Valley 1, covers a distance of 8.36 kilometres and gets underway at 19:45hrs. Rally of Scotland will enjoy extensive coverage on Eurosport and Eurosport Player.

Top 10 starting positions:

1 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000)
2 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000)
3 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000)
4 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000)
5 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000)
6 Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Peugeot 207 S2000)
7 PG Andersson/Emil Axelsson (PROTON Satria Neo S2000)
8 Alister McRae/Bill Hayes (PROTON Satria Neo S2000)
9 Toshi Arai/Dale Moscatt (Subaru Impreza R4 STI)
10 David Bogie/Kevin Rae (Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX)



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[Weasel 555]

SS1: Wilks sets early pace in Scotland

Guy Wilks has set the pace on the opening stage of RACMSA Rally of Scotland, the penultimate round of the 2011 Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Driving a Peugeot UK-backed 207 Super 2000, Wilks completed the 8.36-kilometre Carron Valley night stage in a time of 5m24.8s, 0.8s faster than last year’s winner Juho Hänninen managed in a ŠKODA Motorsport Fabia S2000.

Heavy rain in the build-up to the event left the stage surface slippery with several crews reporting difficult driving conditions.

“It was exactly as we expected,” said Wilks. “It was slippery, but I don't think after the first few cars that it makes much difference. I think we did a reasonable time, we've changed a couple of pacenotes, and hopefully we'll get quicker.”

Andreas Mikkelsen, in a ŠKODA UK Motorsport Fabia, was third quickest. He said: “That's some first stage! It was so dark, and it was fast, but so slippery... Suddenly, you just lose all the grip! But it's okay.”

Scottish champion David Bogie, one of the favourites for IRC Production Cup honours, lost time when the intercom in his Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer failed.

Overall positions after SS1

1 Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Peugeot 207 S2000) 5m24.8s
2 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +0.8s
3 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1.9s
4 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +2.9s
5 PG Andersson/Emil Axelsson (PROTON Satria Neo S2000) +3.4s
= Patrik Sandell/Staffan Parmander (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +3.4s
7 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +4.0s
8 Alastair Fisher/Daniel Barritt (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +5.4s
9 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +5.8s
10 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +6.7
= Jarkko Nikara/Petri Nikara (Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) +6.7s

Click: ircseries.com/News=3178 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=3178)

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SS2: Wilks quickest again in Scotland

Peugeot UK’s Guy Wilks has continued his strong start to RACMSA Rally of Scotland by going quickest on the repeat of the 8.36-kilometre Carron Valley test.

The British driver completed the night stage, held in damp and slippery conditions, in a time of 5m21.9s. It means his overall lead after two stages stands at 4.1s.

“It was just as difficult, more slippery in places, but I was cleaner with my driving,” said Wilks. “It was tricky though... some parts, the insides [of the corners] were cut so much.”

Craig Breen impressed with the second fastest time in his M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000, one place ahead of PG Andersson in his PROTON Satria Neo Super 2000s with fellow Fiesta driver Alastair Fisher next up.

Defending Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Juho Hänninen was fifth quickest in his ŠKODA Motorsport Fabia S2000.

IRC Production Cup frontrunner Jarkko Nikara suffered a spin in his Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer. Patrik Sandell, in a ŠKODA Sweden, reported catching an IRC 2WD Cup competitor who was completing his first run through the stage. Sandell voiced his frustration as a result.

Robert Barrable failed to start the stage after stopping his privateer Fabia on the first test. Graeme Schoneville stopped on route to the first stage when his Honda Civic Type R developed a mechanical fault.

Jarkko Nikara continues to set the IRC Production Cup pace, while Harry Hunt maintains his lead in the IRC 2WD Cup standings following his fastest time on stage one, despite Mark Donnelly going quickest in the category on stage two.

Overall positions after SS2

1 Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Peugeot 207 S2000) 5m24.8s
2 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +4.1s
3 PG Andersson/Emil Axelsson (PROTON Satria Neo S2000) +4.6s
4 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +4.8s
5 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +6.7s
6 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +6.8s
7 Alastair Fisher/Daniel Barritt (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +7.4s
8 Patrik Sandell/Staffan Parmander (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +11.0s
9 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +11.8s
10 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +16.1s

Click: ircseries.com/News=3179 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=3179)


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[Weasel 555]

Saturday

SS3: Mikkelsen closes on Wilks

Andreas Mikkelsen has completed Saturday’s opening test, the challenging 16.54-kilometre Craigvinean run, 3.3s faster than RACMSA Rally of Scotland leader Guy Wilks.

Mikkelsen, who is vying for his maiden victory in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge in his ŠKODA UK Motorsport Fabia Super 2000, is now 3.5s behind Peugeot UK’s Wilks in the overall classification.

However, there was a scare for the Norwegian when he reported striking a rock with the front-right wheel of his Fabia and feared he picked up a puncture in the process.

Defending champion and last year’s Rally of Scotland winner Juho Hänninen said he was too cautious in his factory ŠKODA on the rain-hit test north of the event base in Perth. As a result he was 20.4s slower than Mikkelsen and drops from second to fifth in the overall standings.

Thierry Neuville was third fastest in his Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg 207 and climbs ahead of PROTON Motorsports’ PG Andersson into third position as a result. Andersson was fourth quickest in his Satria Neo S2000.

Bryan Bouffier set the fifth fastest time for Peugeot France with Alastair Fisher a strong sixth in his M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000.

Karl Kruuda completed the test with a front-left puncture. The Estonian also dropped time spinning near the start and finish of the stage.

Overall positions after SS3

1 Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Peugeot 207 S2000) 20m28.2s
2 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +3.5s
3 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +13.9s
4 PG Andersson/Emil Axellson (PROTON Satria Neo S2000) +14.6s
5 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +21.3s
6 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +21.5s
7 Alastair Fisher/Daniel Barritt (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +21.8s
8 Patrik Sandell/Staffan Parmander (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +25.6s
9 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +27.4s
10 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +32.7s

Click: ircseries.com/News=3185 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=3185)

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SS4: Bouffier claims Scotland stage best

Bryan Bouffier has claimed his first stage win on RACMSA Rally of Scotland, the penultimate round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Bouffier, in a Peugeot France 207 Super 2000, was 0.1s faster than ŠKODA UK Motorsport’s Andreas Mikkelsen on the 13.16-kilometre Drummond Hill stage. Bouffier’s performance puts him ahead of PROTON Motorsports’ PG Andersson into fourth overall.

Out front, Mikkelsen has overtaken Peugeot UK’s Guy Wilks for the overall lead. Wilks reported losing time running wide on a right-bend and dropping into a ditch close to the stage start. As a result the Peugeot UK driver is 3.4s behind Mikkelsen after four stages.

Defending IRC champion Juho Hänninen continues to drop time in his works Fabia. The Finn, the winner in Scotland last year, said he didn’t expect the stage conditions to be so muddy.

Alastair Fisher dropped out of the top 10 when his M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000 slipped into rear-wheel-drive mode. Craig Breen, in a similar Fiesta, was delayed by a spin.

Patrik Sandell was seventh quickest in his ŠKODA Sweden Fabia, despite picking up a front-left puncture. IRC Production Cup driver Marco Cavigioli reported losing time with brake problems on his Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer.

Stage five, Errochty 1, gets underway at 12:10hrs local time. Coverage will be shown live on Eurosport and Eurosport Player.

Overall positions after SS4

1 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 28m47.1s
2 Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Peugeot 207 S2000) +3.4s
3 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +17.5s
4 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +23.8s
5 PG Andersson/Emil Axellson (PROTON Satria Neo S2000) +24.1s
6 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +28.9s
7 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +37.0s
8 Patrik Sandell/Staffan Parmander (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +38.0s
9 Alister McRae/Bill Hayes (PROTON Satria Neo S2000) +56.5s
10 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +58.4s

Click: ircseries.com/News=3186 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=3186)

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SS5: Disaster for Wilks in Scotland

Any hopes Guy Wilks had of claiming his first victory in this year’s Intercontinental Rally Challenge by winning RACMSA Rally of Scotland appear to be over after the Peugeot UK driver lost more than six minutes when he spun into a ditch in the 17.68-kilometre Errochty stage, which was shown live on Eurosport. :(

Wilks began the stage 3.4s behind ŠKODA UK Motorsport’s Andreas Mikkelsen but has now dropped out of contention for top spot. His delay means stage winner Mikkelsen is now 28.6s in front of Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg 207 Super 2000 heading to the regroup in Perth city centre.

“I thought I had a rear puncture and I knew I didn’t want to lose too much time so I was pushing like hell,” said Wilks. “But I pushed too hard.”

Bryan Bouffier, who was second quickest through the stage in his Peugeot France 207, moves up to third overall, one place ahead of PG Andersson, who reported an electrical glitch on his PROTON Satria Neo S2000 at the end of the stage.

Andersson’s team-mate Alister McRae stopped in the stage with a mechanical problem. Karl Kruuda completed the test with damaged suspension and conceded he would be unable to make it back to service in Perth.

Overall positions after SS5

1 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 28m47.1s
2 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +28.6s
3 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +33.7s
4 PG Andersson/Emil Axellson (PROTON Satria Neo S2000) +37.6s
5 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +41.3s
6 Patrik Sandell/Staffan Parmander (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +49.4s
7 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +58.9s
8 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1m23.3s
9 Jarkko Nikara/Petri Nikara (Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) +1m30.2s
10 David Bogie/Kevin Rae (Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) +1m36.2s

Click: ircseries.com/news=3188 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readnews.asp?id=3188)

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[Weasel 555]

SS6: Mikkelsen extends Scotland lead

Andreas Mikkelsen has extended his lead at the top of the RACMSA Rally of Scotland leaderboard by clocking the fastest time through the second running of the Craigvinean stage.

Mikkelsen, at the wheel of a ŠKODA UK Motorsport Fabia Super 2000, now heads the Intercontinental Rally Challenge event by 33.1s with Thierry Neuville second for Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg. Bryan Bouffier completes the podium for Peugeot France.

In increasingly treacherous conditions Mikkelsen’s time was more than 12 seconds slower than the standard he set on the first run through this morning.

“'I just tried to keep a good pace, it's much more slippery the second time through,” said Mikkelsen. “We will see... I think this run was the one to keep the pace up.”

Guy Wilks’ efforts to recover the time he lost with his spin on stage five netted the fourth best time in his Peugeot UK 207.

PG Andersson completed the previous stage in fourth overall in his PROTON Motorsports’ Satria Neo S2000. However, the addition of 2m20s of time penalties for his late arrival at midday service in Perth and two jumped starts means his hopes of a top-five finish are all but over.

Martin Kangur has moved into the lead of the IRC 2WD Cup in his Honda Civic Type R after Mark Donnelly was delayed by more than one minute completing the stage. Jarkko Nikara continues to lead the IRC Production Cup from Scottish driver David Bogie.

Overall positions after SS6

1 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 28m47.1s
2 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +33.1s
3 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +43.1s
4 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +49.5s
5 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +1m11.8s
6 Patrik Sandell/Staffan Parmander (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1m13.6s
7 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1m34.8s
8 Jarkko Nikara/Petri Nikara (Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) +1m55.0s
9 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2m07.7s
10 David Bogie/Kevin Rae (Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) +2m08.9s

Click: ircseries.com/News=3193 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=3193)

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SS7: Neuville drops back in Scotland

Thierry Neuville has hit trouble on RACMSA Rally of Scotland after spinning twice on the 17.68-kilometre Errochty stage, which was shown live on Eurosport.

Neuville, in a Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg 207 Super 2000, suffered two spins during the rain-hit test. To compound his agony, his reverse gear broke during the second rotation and he lost considerable time as a result, dropping from second to fourth in the overall classification.

“I was not concentrated enough,” said Neuville, who is now 1m25.8s behind overall leader and stage winner Andreas Mikkelsen. “I broke the rear gear and it was difficult to come back onto the road.”

Neuville’s delay has promoted Bryan Bouffier into second place in his Peugeot France 207. However, defending Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Juho Hänninen is one second behind in his ŠKODA Motorsport Fabia.

“For sure he’s too close,” said Bouffier. “I try to fight with him but he is a very fast driver. I am happy with my car, I have good grip and I am trying my best.”

Hänninen said changes in service had transformed the handling of his Fabia. “It’s much better now,” the Finn confirmed.

Craig Breen continues to impress in fifth overall in his M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000. Patrik Sandell is sixth for ŠKODA Sweden.

Overall positions after SS7

1 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 58m52.8s
2 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +50.7s
3 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +51.7s
4 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +1m25.8s
5 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +1m28.5s
6 Patrik Sandell/Staffan Parmander (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1m33.9s
7 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1m43.4s
8 Jarkko Nikara/Petri Nikara (Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) +2m22.2s
9 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2m27.3s
10 David Bogie/Kevin Rae (Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) +2m33.0s

Click: ircseries.com/News=3195 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=3195)

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SS8: Stage cancelled due to conditions

Organisers of RACMSA Rally of Scotland, round 10 of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, have been forced to cancel the second running of Drummond Hill due to worsening road conditions caused by heavy rain in Perthshire today.


The 13.16-kilometre test was due to bring Saturday’s thrilling action to a close. Instead crews will return to service in Perth.

It means ŠKODA UK Motorsport’s Andreas Mikkelsen will start the final day of the event, which is enjoying live coverage on Eurosport, with a lead of 50.7s over Peugeot France driver Bryan Bouffier.

Click: ircseries.com/News=3196 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=3196)

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Day one review: Mikkelsen leads in Scotland

Andreas Mikkelsen has taken a huge step towards claiming his first victory in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge after completing Saturday’s all-action stages of RACMSA Rally of Scotland with a commanding lead in his ŠKODA UK Motorsport Fabia Super 2000.

The 22-year-old from Norway was in sixth overall, 6.8s behind Peugeot UK’s Guy Wilks, following the two runs through Carron Valley on Friday night. He narrowed the gap to 3.5s by beating Wilks on Saturday’s opening Craigvinean test before moving ahead when he again bettered his rival’s time through Drummond Hill.

When Wilks spun into a ditch at high speed on stage five, Errochty, one of two stages shown live on Eurosport today, Mikkelsen moved into a lead of almost 30 seconds. By claiming two further stage wins in the afternoon amid increasingly treacherous stage conditions that caused the final test to be cancelled, Mikkelsen was able to grow his advantage to 50.7s over Peugeot France’s Bryan Bouffier, who took a stage win during a faultless performance.

Juho Hänninen, the defending IRC champion and last year’s Rally of Scotland winner, is third overnight for the factory ŠKODA Motorsport team following a troubled morning caused by a lack of traction and “feeling” on the slippery stages. Set-up changes at midday service triggered an upturn in form although the Finn is 51.7s behind Mikkelsen overnight in third.

Read More: ircseries.com/News=3197 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=3197)


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Rally of Scotland Photos: ircseries.com/Scotland Gallery (http://www.ircseries.com/html/Gallery_Details.asp?nome=Rally%20of%20Scotland%202 011&id=41)


. :cool:

[Weasel 555]

Sunday

No restart for PROTON´s McRae in Scotland

Scottish hero Alister McRae won’t restart on the final day RACMSA Rally of Scotland, round 10 of the 11-event Intercontinental Rally Challenge season, despite initial hopes that his PROTON Satria could be repaired for Sunday’s closing seven stages.

McRae was in the top 10 when his PROTON Motorsports entry ground to a halt on the first run through Errochty after a rock holed the car’s sump and depleted its engine supply. The incident was captured live on Eurosport.

The damaged engine that put Mark Donnelly out of the lead of the IRC 2WD Cup on Saturday afternoon has proved terminal and means the Northern Irishman won’t restart on the final day of the event in his Clio R3.

Click: ircseries.com/News=3201 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=3201)

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SS9: Nikara pulls clear of Bogie

Jarkko Nikara has increased his lead in the IRC Production Cup section of RACMSA Rally of Scotland with a stunning time through Sunday’s opening test, the 8.36-kilometre Carron Valley test.

Nikara, from Finland, was more than 10 seconds faster than Scottish ace David Bogie, who like Nikara is competing in a Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX.

Bogie is running first on the road, which is coated in puddles and mud following overnight rain. Nikara, in eighth overall, is now 21.4s clear of Bogie.

ŠKODA Motorsport’s Juho Hänninen has moved ahead of Peugeot France’s Bryan Bouffier into second place after winning the stage in his Fabia Super 2000. Andreas Mikkelsen continues to lead for ŠKODA UK Motorsport.

“It’s a balance between risk and fast, it’s difficult in these conditions but I am happy,” said the Norwegian. “There are some ruts but it’s the third time this stage is running.”

In the battle for fifth, ŠKODA Sweden’s Patrik Sandell has taken 0.3s out of Craig Breen, in an M-Sport Ford Fiesta. Sandell is now 5.1s behind his Irish rival, while both drivers have closed up on fourth-placed Thierry Neuville.

PG Andersson reported a sticking throttle on his PROTON Motorsports’ Satria Neo Super 2000. Alastair Fisher picked up a front-right puncture in his M-Sport Fiesta four kilometres from the stage finish.

Overall positions after SS9

1 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 1h04m08.7s
2 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +48.0s
3 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +52.7s
4 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +1m25.6s
5 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +1m27.0s
6 Patrik Sandell/Staffan Parmander (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1m32.1s
7 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1m48.2s
8 Jarkko Nikara/Petri Nikara (Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) +2m23.4s
9 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2m32.9s
10 David Bogie/Kevin Rae (Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) +2m44.8s

Click: ircseries.com/News=3202 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=3202)

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SS10: Joy turns to despair for Sandell

Patrik Sandell’s joy at winning his first stage of RACMSA Rally of Scotland was short lived after he retired on the road section heading to the next stage in his ŠKODA Sweden Fabia Super 2000.

Sandell was 0.5s faster than event leader Andreas Mikkelsen through the 9.91-kilometre Loch Chon test but damage sustained to his rear suspension when he ran wide within sight of the stage finish has forced him out of fourth overall.

He told Rally Radio: “I hit the stone 200 metres away from the flying finish, hit the damper, it's completely loose from the wheel. We've had to stop. This morning started perfect. It's a real shame that we have to stop here, I was really looking forward to the next one. The suspension is completely loose from the hub.”

There was more woe for Thierry Neuville who spun and broke his reverse gear in his Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg 207 Super 2000. As a result the double IRC event-winner has slipped down from fourth to ninth position and potentially out of the fight for the IRC title.

ŠKODA Motorsport’s Juho Hänninen has increased his margin over second-placed Bryan Bouffier, in a Peugeot France 207, to 9.5s.

Overall positions after SS10

1 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 1h04m08.7s
2 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +48.5s
3 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +58.0s
4 Patrik Sandell/Staffan Parmander (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1m31.6s
5 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +1m31.8s
6 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1m51.5s
7 Jarkko Nikara/Petri Nikara (Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) +2m26.4s
8 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2m34.1s
9 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +2m39.0s
10 David Bogie/Kevin Rae (Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) +2m45.9s

Click: ircseries.com/News=3203 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=3203)

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SS11: More drama as Bogie retires

Scottish champion David Bogie’s bid to win the IRC Production Cup is over after he retired at the end of the first High Corrie stage, which was shown live on Eurosport.

Bogie was dicing with fellow Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX driver Jarkko Nikara for category honours when he ran wide on a corner and tore the left-rear wheel off his car striking a submerged rock by the side of the road.

Although he managed to complete the run, the damage was too great to enable him to continue to the remote service halt in Callander. Ironically, Nikara, who completed the stage with the fourth fastest time, reported possible problems with his car’s front suspension.

“I was having a real good run through the stage but the car went slightly wide on a corner,” said the British and Scottish champion. “I continued for about four or five kilometres, and then the wheel came off. I’m annoyed because it was just marginally wide, I don't feel that it was worth losing a wheel over but that’s rallying.”

In the battle for victory on the all-action Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier, Juho Hänninen has cut Andreas Mikkelsen’s lead to 28.3s after going fastest through the 25.81-kilometre High Corrie test.

“It was a difficult stage and one of those stages where if you want to go fast you have to be on the limit but we’re not pushing so much,” said Mikkelsen.

Craig Breen lost time when the engine in his M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000 dropped on to three cylinders. “The engine is not on full cylinders, I hope we can fix it,” said the Irishman, who has moved up to fourth overall following Patrik Sandell’s retirement at the end of stage 10.

Overall positions after SS11

1 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 1h04m08.7s
2 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +28.3s
3 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +49.6s
4 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +1m31.8s
5 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +1m53.4s
6 Jarkko Nikara/Petri Nikara (Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) +2m19.7s
7 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2m35.8s
8 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +2m55.1s
9 David Bogie/Kevin Rae (Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) +3m21.6s
10 Alastair Fisher/Daniel Barritt (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +4m53.1s

Click: ircseries.com/news=3204 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readnews.asp?id=3204)


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[Weasel 555]

Andersson and Hunt exit, trouble for Breen

An electrical problem has brought PG Andersson’s impressive run on RACMSA Rally of Scotland to an end.

Driving a PROTON Motorsports’ Satria Neo Super 2000, the Swede was in 12th overall starting stage 11, High Corrie 1, but only managed to cover four kilometres of the 25.81-kilometre test before his car ground to a halt live on Eurosport.

High Corrie didn’t go entirely to plan for Craig Breen either when a cracked exhaust manifold slowed his M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000. Unable to make repairs at the subsequent remote service halt in Callander, Breen will have to soldier through the remaining four stages with a down on power car as he bids to hold on to fourth position in the overall standings.

Harry Hunt was another driver to hit trouble on High Corrie when he slid into a ditch six kilometres from the stage start and got stuck. Although his car was undamaged, the defending IRC 2WD Cup champion and co-driver Robbie Durant were unable to regain the road. As a result Honda Civic Type R driver Martin Kangur has a clear lead in the two-wheel-drive category over Jean-Michel Raoux.

Click: ircseries.com/News=3205 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=3205)

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SS12: Problems for Bouffier in Scotland

Bryan Bouffier’s bid to close the gap to second-placed Juho Hänninen have suffered a setback when the Peugeot France driver reported a loss of brakes through the repeat of the 9.91-kilometre Loch Chon test.

Meanwhile, Hänninen’s efforts to catch RACMSA Rally of Scotland leader Andreas Mikkelsen appear to be over after Mikkelsen completed the stage 8.4s faster than his fellow ŠKODA Fabia driver to grow his overall advantage to 36.7s.

“We tried to increase the speed a little bit and we’re now in the front again,” said Mikkelsen, who was quickest through the stage.

Craig Breen’s fears that he would lose time - and fourth place - with his cracked exhaust manifold are so far proving unfounded after he managed to increase the gap to the pursuing Jan Kopecký to 16.8s.

“We’re going really steady but we’re miles down on power,” said Breen. “I’m really pleased to take time out of Breen.”

Jarkko Nikara lost time with a front-left puncture but the Finn’s healthy lead in the IRC Production Cup remains intact. However, he has dropped from sixth to eighth overall.

Up next is the 25.81-kilometre High Corrie stage, which is being shown live on Eurosport Player.

Overall positions after SS12

1 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 1h34m18.4s
2 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +36.7s
3 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +1m28.4s
4 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +1m49.1s
5 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2m05.9s
6 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2m51.3s
7 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +3m08.7s
8 Jarkko Nikara/Petri Nikara (Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) +3m14.1s
9 Alastair Fisher/Daniel Barritt (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +5m06.5s
10 Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Peugeot 207 S2000) +6m55.8s

Click: ircseries.com/News=3206 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readNews.asp?id=3206)

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SS13: Mikkelsen leads despite scare

RACMSA Rally of Scotland leader Andreas Mikkelsen reported a major scare when he struck a rock three kilometres from the finish of stage 13, the 25.81-kilometre High Corrie test, which was shown live on Eurosport Player.

The ŠKODA UK Motorsport driver feared he had damaged his car’s suspension in the incident but it appears that the Norwegian has escaped with just a front-right puncture. As a result he was 6.3s slower than defending Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Juho Hänninen through the stage. His overall advantage ahead of the Finn is 30.4s with two runs remaining.

Bryan Bouffier completed the stage with the second fastest time after he and co-driver Xavier Panseri managed to repair the faulty brakes that held them back through stage 12. However, they picked up a 10-second penalty for starting the stage late.

Alastair Fisher continued his impressive recovery from the broken driveshaft he suffered on Saturday morning to go third fastest in his M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000. Fisher is the leading British driver in eighth overall, one place ahead of Peugeot UK's Guy Wilks.

Jarkko Nikara’s bid to win the IRC Production is over after he spun into a ditch and got stuck. His misfortune promotes Subaru Impreza driver Toshi Arai into the category lead.

Thierry Neuville completed the stage with a front-right puncture, which he picked up one kilometre before the end of the run. However, he is now just 3.4s behind sixth-placed Toni Gardemeister.

Overall positions after SS13

1 Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 1h51m12.4s
2 Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +30.4s
3 Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) +1m34.4s
4 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +2m00.5s
5 Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +2m13.5s
6 Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) +3m14.7s
7 Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000) +3m18.1s
8 Alastair Fisher/Daniel Barritt (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000) +5m02.9s
9 Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Peugeot 207 S2000) +6m54.3s
10 Toshi Arai/Dale Moscatt (Subaru Impreza R4 STI) +8m14.6s

Click: ircseries.com/news=3207 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readnews.asp?id=3207)

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SS14/SS15: Scotland win for Mikkelsen

Andreas Mikkelsen has won RACMSA Rally of Scotland to set up a thrilling six-way fight for the Intercontinental Rally Challenge title on the final round in Cyprus next month.

The ŠKODA UK Motorsport pilot, who becomes the youngest IRC winner and the sixth different driver to triumph in 2011, led from Saturday’s second stage. Apart from a couple of punctures, little troubled the 22-year-old who took a dominant victory from factory ŠKODA driver Juho Hänninen.

“What a fantastic weekend,” said Mikkelsen. “We were so close to winning in Hungary and even closer in Sanremo, but we could not have found a better place to score our first IRC win on ŠKODA UK’s home event. The feeling is just amazing and this result gives us something to really build on for our next rally in Cyprus.”

Bryan Bouffier maintained his title push in third for Peugeot France after overcoming brake problems this morning. Craig Breen nursed a cracked exhaust manifold on his M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000 to claim a hugely impressive fourth.

IRC title leader Jan Kopecký finished fifth with Thierry Neuville battling ahead of Toni Gardemeister to snatch sixth position for Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg by winning the penultimate run through the 2.84-kilometre Scone Palace test. The Belgian repeated the feat with the fastest time through the final Scone run.

Peugeot UK’s Guy Wilks was leading after three stages but dropped out of contention when he spun into a ditch on stage five and got stuck for more than five minutes. The incident was captured live on Eurosport. Wilks was heading to ninth but stopped on the very last stage when he took a wheel off his 207 S2000. Alastair Fisher was the top Briton in eighth.

Toshi Arai won the IRC Production Cup for Subaru in 10th overall with Martin Kangur topping the IRC 2WD Cup classification in his Honda Civic Type R.

IRC drivers’ points after 10 of 11 rounds (provisional):

1 Jan Kopecký 131pts
2 Juho Hänninen 125pts
3 Thierry Neuville 115pts
4 Andreas Mikkelsen 111.5pts
5 Bryan Bouffier 110.5pts
6 Freddy Loix 103pts
7 Guy Wilks 47pts
8 Toni Gardemeister 44pts
9 Bruno Magalhães 26pts
10 Craig Breen 24pts

Click: ircseries.com/news=3208 (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readnews.asp?id=3208)

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Rally of Scotland Photos: ircseries.com/RoS/Gallery (http://www.ircseries.com/html/Gallery_Details.asp?nome=Rally%20of%20Scotland%202 011&id=41)


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[Weasel 555]

Final Round 11. Cyprus Rally Cyprus - Asphalt / Gravel 03-05 November 2011

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/50501_150584038303965_5978667_n.jpg

The Cyprus Rally joined the IRC for the first time in 2010 and became an instant hit with drivers and fans alike. Rough and rocky gravel roads, smooth and broken asphalt, plus punishing ambient temperatures all combine to make the event, based in the hills near Pafos, one of the toughest on the calendar.

Official Website: cyprusrally.com.cy/2011/ (http://www.cyprusrally.com.cy/2011/)


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