ERC: Round 8, Barum Rally stage 11 summary

Experience playing a crucial role

Bruno Thiry has taken control of the 33rd Barum Rally and after 11 of the 20 stages he has a lead of 47.6 seconds over Vaclav Pech, with Miguel Campos in third place, 1min59.2 seconds behind.

The turning point came at the second service of the day. Thiry had just seen Kresta win the long 8th stage on slicks, whereas he had driven on intermediates. His Kronos team had previous experience in the Polish Championships on similar roads and between them they decided on a compromise of using cut slicks. It was a decision that paid handsome dividends.

On Stage 9, Thiry set fastest time in 10.25.5, Pech was second in 10.29.8, Kresta went off the road and lost 17seconds and Campos recorded a time of 10.47.8 and he was clearly unsettled at the slippery conditions.

Leszek Kuzaj went off the road and retired on Stage 10, Kresta stopped on the 11th stage with engine problems and on the same stage, Campos left the road, lost well over a minute and second place overall. So now Thiry has a comfortable lead and can control the rally, with only punctures, an accident or mechanical / engine problems likely to come between him and victory.

Drivers comments after Stage 11

Miguel Campos -- Peugeot 206 WRC
"It was a right hand corner and there was mud on the road. First I touched the rear left and then swung round and damaged the front right wing. I also seem to have an electrical problem which affects the brakes, which we will need to sort out at the service."

Bruno Thiry -- Peugeot 206 WRC
"It is really is such a tricky rally. One corner you have plenty of grip and the next you are slipping around like you are on ice. We also had several `moments' so the rally is far from over. The weather can change and so many things can happen. My tactics for the rest of the day are to keep going and try to get through without problems."

Vaclev Pech -- Ford Focus WRC
"I didn't have any problems and I'm happy to be in second place. With Kresta out, it now looks as though I just have to finish to become Czech Champion so that's my aim--to finish!"

The final circuit of the day will see the drivers repeating stages 9 to 11 again and they are expected into Parc Ferme at 19.42hrs.

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