SS6: IRC champion hits back in Czech Republic

Barum Rally - News after SS6

By Franck Drui

1 September 2012 - 15:25
SS6: IRC champion hits back in (...)

Andreas Mikkelsen has hit back in the battle for Intercontinental Rally Challenge glory on Barum Czech Rally Zlín by winning the first 11.38-kilometre Lukov run for ŠKODA UK Motorsport.

Mikkelsen was fastest by 2.3s through the all-asphalt rally’s sixth stage to grow his advantage over Juho Hänninen to 4.9s. Jan Kopecký, who was 2.3s adrift of Mikkelsen through the run, is now 12.7s behind the rapid Norwegian. “There was not so much standing water in that stage so it was better for the tyres,” said Mikkelsen.

Factory ŠKODA driver Kopecký said: “The car and tyres are very good, we are trying to go as fast as possible.” Hänninen added: “We had a better feeling, there is much better grip and the tyres are working very well.”

Petter Solberg Engineering’s Patrik Flodin said the misfire that has hampered his progress this afternoon has been largely cured after changes to his M-Sport Ford Fiesta’s ECU. “It’s not 100 per cent but it’s better,” said the Swede, who was 9.7s slower than Mikkelsen.

Jaromir Tarabus is driving with no working powersteering on his Kresta Racing Fabia, which failed on stage five. He was 52.7s slower than Mikkelsen. Robert Barrable changed a punctured tyre prior to the stage getting underway. He holds sixth overall in his ŠKODA Ireland Fabia.

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