SS1: Mikkelsen takes the lead

Atkinson and Wilks in trouble

SS1: Mikkelsen takes the lead
Author:
23 September 2011 - 14:53

Rallye Sanremo has got off to a dramatic start with Peugeot UK’s Guy Wilks and PROTON Motorsports’ Chris Atkinson (pictured) both hitting trouble on the opening stage of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier.

While the cause of Atkinson’s stoppage is currently unclear, Wilks is reported to have hit a bridge and retired his 207 Super 2000.

Andreas Mikkelsen has maintained the pace he set in pre-event shakedown by going fastest on the 13.06-kilometre Coldirodi stage in his ŠKODA UK Motorsport Fabia to open a slender lead of 2.9s.

Bryan Bouffier was second fastest in his Peugeot France 207 with Thierry Neuville third quickest in his Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxmbourg 207. IRC title leader Jan Kopecký was fourth quickest with Umberto Scandola the leading Italian in fifth at the wheel of an M-Sport Ford Fiesta.

The top nine drivers were covered by 8.5s.

Overall positions after SS1

Pos.DriverCarTime
1 Mikkelsen Andreas / Floene Ola Škoda Fabia S2000 8m27.3s
2 Bouffier Bryan / Panseri Xavier Peugeot 207 S2000 +2.9s
3 Neuville T. / Gilsoul Nicolas Peugeot 207 S2000 +3.0s
4 Kopecký Jan / Starý Petr Škoda Fabia S2000 +3.5s
5 Scandola Umberto / D’Amore Guido Ford Fiesta S2000 +4.9s
6 Magalhães Bruno / Grave Paulo Peugeot 207 S2000 +5.0s
7 Loix Freddy / Miclotte F. Škoda Fabia S2000 +5.4s
8 Basso Giandomenico / Dotta Mitia Proton Satria Neo S2000 +7.6s
9 Campana Pierre / De Castelli Sabrina Peugeot 207 S2000 +8.5s
10 Gardemeister Toni / Suominen Tapio Škoda Fabia S2000 +16.5s
11 Kruuda Karl / Järveoja Martin Škoda Fabia S2000 +20.8s
12 Perico Alessandro / Carrara Fabrizio Peugeot 207 S2000 +22.9s
13 Albertini Stefano / Scattolin Simone Renault Clio R3 +29.0s
14 Hotz Grégoire / Ravasi Pietro Peugeot 207 S2000 +31.4s
15 Vescovi Roberto / Guzzi Giancarla Citroën DS3 R3T +34.6s
Peugeot´s Bouffier to start first in Sanremo SS2: Loix quickest, Mikkelsen leading
Partage