SS1: Mikkelsen leads in the Azores

Andreas Mikkelsen has gone fastest on the opening stage of Sata Rallye Açores, round six of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. Driving a ŠKODA UK Motorsport Fabia Super 2000, the 22-year-old set a time of 8m41.9s over the 13.6-kilometre test.

Despite his pace, the Norwegian, who is running fifth on the road, played down his performance. He said: “I tried to get a good rhythm and didn’t push too much. It’s something to build on."

Defending IRC champion Juho Hänninen was second fastest in his factory Fabia. “I have very big confidence but I am struggling to find the grip and for sure the drivers behind are going to be faster,” said the Finn.

Last year’s winner Bruno Magalhães reported his Peugeot Sport Portugal 207 was “sliding a lot” and was also suffering from oversteer after going third fastest.

Peugeot UK’s Guy Wilks reported encountering rocks in the middle of the road and hanging dust on his to the fourth quickest time.

Jan Kopecký said he was still reacclimatising to driving on gravel having not competed on a loose-surface event for 12 months. He was sixth quickest, one place behind Swede Patrik Sandell.

Multiple Azorean rally champion impressed with the seventh best time to lead the IRC Production Cup in his Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer.

Running first on the road and cleaning a path through the loose surface gravel for the drivers behind, Bryan Bouffier said before the start that he feared he would drop time. He was proved right.

“It’s not easy, really dusty,” said the Peugeot France driver, who was ninth fastest. “Okay I try to drive well but I am struggling a lot.”

Overall positions after SS1