Anxious wait for Peugeot driver Valousek in Zlin

Pavel Valoušek faces an anxious wait before finding out whether or not he will be able to continue on Barum Czech Rally Zlín, round nine of the all-action Intercontinental Rally Challenge, on Saturday morning.

Valoušek failed to complete the opening stage, SSS Zlín, when his Peugeot Delimax Total Czech National Team 207 Super 2000 lost oil pressure.

If checks reveal any engine damage, Valoušek will be forced to retire from the all-asphalt event for a second year in a row after he crashed out in 2011 having finished third the previous season.

Valoušek is not the only Peugeot driver to have suffered an early scare: Polish ace Michał Sołowow’s Synthos Cersanit Rally Team was given special permission to scrutineer his 207 out of schedule after the squad had to change an engine, which was damaged when it was about to depart for Zlín. Sołowow completed SSS Zlín with the 30th best time.