IRC: Franz Wittmann leg three midday notes

Franz Wittmann/Klaus Wicha lie in seventh overall place prior to the Night of the Long Knives

The Interwetten driver remained on the safe side concerning the choice of tyres on the eleventh special stage

The third day of the 78th Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo commenced with a 30 kilometres long special stage. This was followed by the stage to Monaco where the legendary "Night of the Long Knives" will be tackled in the evening from 17:50 on.

Franz Wittmann and Klaus Wicha took up the course as fifth car with cut spiked tyres. In the end this resulted in seventh-best time which is also the current rank of the Interwetten Racing Team in the overall standings.

Wittmann: "We were cautious in choosing the tyres since we didn't want to carelessly endanger our reaching the finishing line. Others took a risk and it worked out. But I am content for this year I definitely want to tackle the Col de Turini."

Co-driver veteran Klaus Wicha is also very satisfied with the progress of the rally so far.

Wicha: "The Monte naturally is a law of its own. In the beginning we had a lot of bad luck with the fog. But the second day was already very promising. We have an excellent basis and Franz gets better with each kilometre."

-source: sportpressedienst