SS11: Drama as Loix crashes out

The battle for victory on Rallye Sanremo, round nine of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, has taken another dramatic twist after Freddy Loix crashed his BFO-ŠKODA Rally Team Fabia into retirement approximately halfway through the 20.57-kilometre Colle Lagan test.

Both Loix and co-driver Frédéric Miclotte were uninjured but with their car blocking the road in a narrow section of the stage, event organisers have been forced to cancel the test and run it as a liaison section instead.

Loix’s exit means Andreas Mikkelsen is back in front with two stages remaining. However, the ŠKODA UK Motorsport pilot’s main concern was for the wellbeing of Loix and Miclotte.

“Freddy’s car had blocked the road and five or six cars running behind had to stop and move the car and continue,” said Mikkelsen, who actually suffered a spin earlier in the stage before it was neutralised. “It’s very sad for ŠKODA and Freddy, because he was doing such a great job. The main thing is that the crew were okay – but they were really lucky, because it was on a really steep downhill section.”

All competing crews will be awarded a notional time for the stage.