Consani on top in IRC 2WD Cup as Kangur is delayed

Robert Consani heads the IRC 2WD Cup section of Barum Czech Rally Zlín after three special stages, despite reporting a wrong tyre choice for this morning’s loop.

Frenchman Consani, in a Renault Mégane RS, heads Czech Renault Clio R3 pilot Josef Peták by 19.7s with pre-event favouriteJan Černýthird, a further 5.5s behind.

“The tyres were wrong for the first stage because they were rain tyres and it was completely dry,” said Consani. “In Pindula it was not so bad and now we try to find a better choice for the afternoon. The car is good, no problem.”

Consani added that his run through Pindula was the first time he’d tackled the test in anger having retired before starting the stage in the past.

Martin Kangur’s hopes of IRC 2WD Cup success suffered a setback when he picked up a front-right puncture eight kilometres from the end of stage three in his Honda Civic Type R.