SS15: Loix wins stage, Kopecký wins rally
Kopecky held on to win by 1.2s
Freddy Loix has won the final stage of Barum Czech Rally Zlín but it wasn’t enough to beat home hero Jan Kopecký to first place on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier.
Kopecký was 0.8s slower than Loix through the stage but held on to win by 1.2s, the closest finish in the history of the IRC.
“We were quicker than in the first pass and we tried our best without taking big risks because we wanted to come to the finish,” said the ŠKODA Motorsport driver.
Loix said: “It was fantastic and we’ve been pushing flat out. We enjoyed it but this was a very tricky rally.”
Thierry Neuville held on for fourth place despite Andreas Mikkelsen posting a faster stage time than him through the 24.37-kilometre Halenkovice stage. Toni Gardemeister maintained his grip on sixth place although Craig Breen was able to trim his advantage to 4.2s.