SS11: Two in a row for Consani but game over for Protasov

Frenchman Robert Consani has secured his second consecutive stage win on Prime Yalta Rally after he clocked the fastest time on SS11.

Piloting a Renault Mégane RS driver, Consani completed the 17.07-kilometre Uchan-Su 1 stage with a time of 13m14.7s. Rally leader Yağiz Avci was second quickest, completing the asphalt stage 2.4s behind Consani in his M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000. Third fastest was Vizin László in a ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000.

Vlad Cosma set the fourth fastest stage time, completing the test with a time of 13m32.0s. Turk Bostani was fifth fastest, 22.5s behind Cosma in a similar car.

Home favourite Yuriy Protasov failed to complete the stage. It is suspected that the suspension damage to his M-Sport Ford Fiesta RRC after an off-road excursion on the previous test has caused his retirement.

In the overall classification, Avci continues to lead but László has moved up to second. Third is Consani who is also leading both the IRC Production Cup and the IRC 2WD Cup.

The crews will now return to the rally base in Yalta for Service E before they contest the final loop of three stages, beginning with the 18.95-kilometre Opolznevoje 2 stage at 12:28hrs local.