IRC: Ypres Rally leg 2 afternoon report

The 46th GEKO Ypres Rally has definitely changed since Kris Meeke went off on SS8.

Freddy Loix (Skoda Fabia S2000) was fighting it out with Meeke from the first stages of the rally but now he has lost his most fierce adversary, he needs to manage his lead carefully. Staying concentrated is always the most difficult thing to do in such circumstances. "Fast Freddy" is not a novice however and he carefully lifts off, leaving all fastest times to his team-mate Jan Kopecký. The record-holder of the event did admit having a few brake issues on the Heuvelland stage though. Watch this space!

Thierry Neuville is defending the honour of Peugeot but sits quite isolated in his third spot. The only eventful thing was a spin on stage 10. Despite this, he still put the 3rd fastest time on the stage. On the shory Lille-Eurometropole stage (1.66 km/ SS13) he came very close, finishing 0"2 off Kopecký.

When we look further down the ranking, we are watching two more fights in the Top 10. Patrick Snijers (Peugeot 207 S2000) is only 22" ahead of a surprisingly fast Andreas Mikkelsen (Ford Fiesta S2000), fighting for 5th spot. Michal Sołowow and Bruno Magalhães, are fighting it out for 7th place, only 3"8 setting them apart.

Alexandre Romain (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) comfortably leads the Gr. N.

Stage 11 (Dikkebus) unfortunately had to be cancelled as undisciplined spectators did not vacate the forbidden zones. Toshi Arai (Subaru I'Impreza STi) retired just before this stage with a broken suspension arm.

-source: ypresrally.com