SS11: Big moment for Baumschlager in Austria

Raimund Baumschlager feared for his third place on the International Jännerrallye following a “big moment” on Saturday’s opening stage.

Baumschlager, the 10-time Austrian champion, hit trouble approximately one kilometre from the finish of the 8.27-kilometre Gutau test.

“It was a big moment,” said Baumschlager. “I was late on the brakes, touched some mud and was very lucky not to go off the road.”

In the battle for first place, Jan Kopecký has extended his lead of the FIA European Rally Championship round to 24s after going fastest on the stage, which was subjected to heavy rain and took place in ambient temperatures approaching six degrees centigrade.

“Again it was very difficult because it was raining a lot and I am something like the eighth car on the road and there is a lot of mud,” said the ŠKODA driver, who is actually running in seventh place following Antonín Tlusťák’s decision not to restart on day two. “At least for the second pass I will know the places where the mud is coming into the corners.”

Peugeot driver Bryan Bouffier, second in the overall classification, was 3.8s slower than Kopecký. “I was a bit surprised by some slippery parts so I don’t think my time will be so good,” said the French driver.

Elsewhere, Martin Fischerlehner suffered a spin nearing the stage finish, while Beppo Harrach reported a lack of confidence with the set-up of his Mitsubishi Lancer.

Next on the itinerary is the 13.53-kilometre Unterweisenbach stage, which goes live at 08:35hrs local time.