SS15: Loix fastest but Hanninen still leads

Peugeot driver Freddy Loix has claimed his fourth stage victory on the Geko Ypres Rally following a “maximum attack” on the repeat of the Vleteren-Krombeke stage.

Loix, a seven-time winner of the Belgian event, was 1.4s faster than Juho Hänninen, who continues to lead the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier for ŠKODA Motorsport, albeit by a reduced margin of 38.6s with three stages remaining.

Patrik Flodin, who was fifth quickest, reported damaging the steering of his PS Engineering M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000. The Swedish driver said: “I was cutting a corner too much and I hit a stone. My steering wheel is a bit to the right.”

Robert Barrable failed to start the stage after retiring on the previous road section with a loss of gearbox oil.

Drivers reported gravel being dragged onto the road in certain sections from the first run through the test this morning.