SS5: Bouffier claims first stage win

Bryan Bouffier has won his first stage on Barum Czech Rally Zlín, round seven of the 11-event Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

“The car is working perfectly so I tried to push as hard as I can,” said the Peugeot France 207 driver, who has closed to within 12.5s of first position following his run through the 11.49-kilometre Semetín test.

Out front Jan Kopecký continues to lead despite reporting a scare when he suffered a “big moment” in his ŠKODA Motorsport Fabia. “We slowed down and lost time,” said the Czech.

Andreas Mikkelsen, who was 2.5s behind prior to the stage start, was unable to capitalise on Kopecký’s moment following his decision to use longer gear ratios. “They were not so suitable, I knew I would lose time,” said the ŠKODA UK driver, who is 5.9s clear of third-placed Guy Wilks in a Peugeot UK 207.

Defending Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Juho Hänninen, who was second fastest, said: “It has been okay, a little bit a problem on the first one with some vibration. I am still missing the rhythm – I hope the next loop is better.”

BFO-ŠKODA driver Freddy Loix, the winner in Zlín last season, reported his soft compound tyres were overheating towards the end of the stage. He was sixth fastest.

Thierry Neuville equaled Loix’s time in his Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg 207. “We changed again a lot on the car and now it has a better direction,” said Neuville. “We’ll maybe change the differential at service so maybe it will be more better.”

Giandomenico Basso spun his PROTON Motorsports’ Satria Neo S2000 one kilometer from the stage finish. He lost more time after stalling his car’s engine.

Roman Kresta completed the stage with a front-left puncture on his privateer ŠKODA, which he picked up seven kilometres from the end of the stage. The incident has cost the Czech more than one minute and has dropped him outside of the top 10.

Crews are now heading to a regroup and service halt in Otrokovice. Stage six, the repeat of the Biskupice run, gets underway at 15:00hrs local time.