After SS12: Hänninen gains small advantage
Bouffier now at 10.8s
Juho Hänninen continues to lead the Prime Yalta Rally with two stages of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge event remaining.
The Finn was 5.7s faster than close rival Bryan Bouffier, which means his overall advantage now stands at 10.8s.
Hänninen reached the stage finish with slight damage to the left-rear wheel of his Škoda Motorsport Fabia. “I tried but the car was sliding, I had one quite heavy landing I didn’t expect,” said the Finn. “I had some small moments. That was not far away from being flat-out.”
Bouffier added: “The car was sliding but Juho is quicker than me. I tried to drive fast but it’s not enough.”
There was drama in the battle for third when Andreas Mikkelsen spun within sight of the stage finish and damaged the rear of his Fabia nudging a small tree in the process. His delay has all but ensured third place for fellow Škoda driver Jan Kopecký, who won the stage.
Overall positions after SS12: