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Meeke out, Hänninen in trouble

News after SS17

By Franck Drui

7 August 2010 - 13:01

The battle for Intercontinental Rally Challenge glory in Madeira has taken another twist after Kris Meeke was forced to retire on the event’s 17th stage due to a mechanical failure.

Jan Kopecký, who was battling for the runner-up spot with Meeke, now inherits second place, 33.2s behind Škoda Motorsport team-mate Freddy Loix, who was quickest through the 22.01-kilometre Chão da Lagoa run.

IRC title leader Juho Hänninen was also in trouble on the stage after picking up a puncture. He remains in fourth but is now 6.6s behind local hero Miguel Nunes in a Peugeot 207 S2000.

Crews are now heading to service north of Madeira’s capital Funchal for a 20-minute halt prior to the final four stages of the event.

Overall positions after SS17:

Pos.	Team	Car	Time
01	Loix Freddy / Miclotte Fréderic	Škoda Fabia S2000	2h32m13.6s
02	Kopecký Jan / Starý Petr	Škoda Fabia S2000	+33.2s
03	Nunes Miguel / Calado Victor	Peugeot 207 S2000	+2m11.6s
04	Hänninen Juho / Markkula Mikko	Škoda Fabia S2000	+2m18.2s
05	Sá Vítor / Rodrigues Nuno	Peugeot 207 S2000	+2m44.5s
06	Freitas Filipe / Figueiroa Daniel	Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X	+7m36.8s
07	Magalhăes Joăo / Pereira Jorge	Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X	+7m48.0s
08	Silva Joăo / Janela José	Renault Clio R3	+8m43.3s
09	Peres Pedro / Ferreira Tiago	Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX	+8m45.4s
10	Moura Ricardo / Costa Antonio	Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX	+8m53.4s
11	Bruyneel Dominique / Vanneste Lara	Peugeot 207 S2000	+10m39.0s
12	Sousa Samir / Miranda Duarte	Renault Clio S1600	+11m30.8s
13	Fontana Corrado / Arena Nicola	Peugeot 207 S2000	+11m44.4s
14	Fernandes Rui / Fernandes Rui Jorge	Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX	+12m53.0s
15	Meireles Pedro / Henriques Jorge	Subaru Impreza STI	+12m53.3s